Perlov Tea House

The Perlov Tea House on Myasnitskaya — a unique architectural monument in the very center of Moscow, which attracts attention with its bright Eastern appearance. This three-story mansion, designed in the Chinese style, has become a symbol of the tea culture of pre-revolutionary Russia and continues to delight Muscovites and guests of the capital for more than a century.

The History of the Tea House

The fate of this building is inextricably linked with the dynasty of the Perlov merchants, whom contemporaries called the tea kings of Russia. The founder of the family business, Alexey Perlov, as early as the 18th century began importing tea from China and selling it in the capital at affordable prices. Thanks to this, the exotic beverage quickly gained popularity among Muscovites.

The Perlovs: A Tea Dynasty

The descendants of Alexey Perlov successfully continued the family business. By the end of the 19th century, the dynasty had 88 stores throughout Russia and Europe, including branches in Warsaw, Riga, Vienna, and Berlin. Alexander III granted the Perlovs a noble title and a family coat of arms featuring a tea bush and pearls. In 1875, Sergey Vasilyevich Perlov, the youngest representative of the dynasty, purchased a plot on Myasnitskaya Street for the construction of his own store. He invited the famous architect Roman Klein, who by that time had created many well-known projects, including the Borodinsky Bridge and the Muir & Mirrielees store.

Construction of the Mansion

Construction took place from 1890 to 1893. Roman Klein designed a three-story building in the late Renaissance style with a well-thought-out layout:

• The first floor housed trading halls, a tea-weighing workshop, and an office
• The second floor contained the owner's living quarters with his family
• The apartments on the third floor were rented out
• The basement premises were used as warehouses

Transformation into a Chinese Pagoda

A radical transformation of the building occurred in 1895–1896. The reason was the expected visit to Moscow of the influential Chinese diplomat Li Hongzhang for the coronation of Nicholas II. Sergey Perlov hoped to impress the high-ranking guest and secure lucrative contracts. For the reconstruction of the facade, they invited the master of decorative art Karl Gippius. The result exceeded all expectations — the mansion was transformed beyond recognition. Although the Chinese dignitary ultimately visited another store of the Perlov dynasty, Muscovites forever fell in love with this exotic corner on Myasnitskaya.

Architectural Features

Facade in the Chinoiserie Style

Karl Gippius created a true architectural masterpiece in the Chinese style. Characteristic colors of the Celestial Empire were used for decoration: red, yellow, and blue. Many decorative elements were specially ordered and brought from China. Main features of the facade:

• Upward-curving roofs of red tiles over the windows and entrance — a traditional element of Chinese architecture that protects against evil spirits
• Relief panels depicting dragons, lizards, peacocks, and lotus flowers
• Geometric ornaments and Chinese hieroglyphs
• Gilded signs with inscriptions stylized as Eastern calligraphy
• The main entrance portal, lined with purple marble with gilded dragons and peacocks

The building is crowned by an elegant two-tier pagoda tower with a red tiled roof and a gilded spire. It has become the calling card of the mansion and gave it its second name — the Pagoda House.

Interior Decoration

The interior of the trading halls is no less luxurious than the exterior. Karl Gippius thought through every detail:

• The coffered ceiling is decorated with golden dragons, exotic fish, butterflies, and birds
• Wooden counters and display cases are decorated with carving, gilding, and Chinese symbols
• Wall cabinets are topped with miniature curved roofs with figurines of dragons and bells
• Bright red columns are covered with Eastern ornaments
• Above the entrance, the word “tea” is composed from figurines of Chinese people

Of particular value is the authentic floor vase from China, which was part of Sergey Perlov's collection. Today it is kept in a glass display case in the store.

The Fate in the 20th Century

The Soviet Period

After the October Revolution, the Perlov tea empire ceased to exist. Many family members emigrated, and the property was nationalized. However, the Tea House was fortunate:

1. The first floor continued to operate as a tea and coffee store
2. The second and third floors were turned into communal apartments
3. The unique Chinese-style interior was preserved

In the 1930s, the store was renamed “Tea Management”. Here one could buy scarce tea, coffee, and high-quality chocolate candies.

Restoration and Revival

By 1990, the building had fallen into disrepair. The great-great-grandniece of Sergey Perlov took on the restoration of the family home. The restoration lasted 12 years and was carried out under the project of the “SpetsProektRestavratsiya” institute. Interesting fact: initially, Chinese specialists were involved in the work, but they failed to cope with the task. The facade details made in China could not withstand Russian frosts and cracked. Russian masters took over the restoration, who:

• Drained and cleaned the basements
• Replaced rotten wooden floors
• Recreated the gilding and painting of the plafonds
• Restored all decorative elements of the facade
• Preserved antique furniture and interior items

Today, the Perlov Tea House is recognized as a federal cultural heritage site. The building has fully regained its historical appearance from the late 19th century.

The Tea House Today

Currently, the historic building houses the store “Tea-Coffee on Myasnitskaya”, which offers:

• More than 800 types of tea from around the world
• Over 300 varieties of coffee
• Exclusive blends and rare varieties
• Regular tea and coffee tastings
• Confectionery and sweets

The store is open daily from 09:00 to 20:00, with free entry. Visitors can not only purchase tea and coffee but also enjoy the unique atmosphere of the ancient mansion.

How to Get There

Address: Moscow, Myasnitskaya Street, building 19. Nearest metro stations:

• “Turgenevskaya” (Kaluzhsko-Rizhskaya line)
• “Chistye Prudy” (Sokolnicheskaya line)

It is just a few minutes' walk from the stations to the Tea House. You can also take a bus to the “Metro Chistye Prudy” stop. The building is clearly visible if walking from Kazansky, Leningradsky, or Yaroslavsky railway stations toward the Kremlin along Myasnitskaya Street.

Interesting Facts

• The Perlov family name comes from the word “perl” — pearl. It is believed that the dynasty's ancestors traded pearls
• The family coat of arms depicts a tea bush on an azure shield with six natural pearls
• Sergey Perlov visited China multiple times and was an expert on the culture of the Celestial Empire, so he personally supervised every detail of the decoration
• The store hosted ceremonial tastings — guests sat on silk poufs, and clerks served tea in wooden and porcelain cups
• The Pagoda House became a unique Chinese island in Moscow — there are no analogs to this building even in China itself
• The Tea House on Myasnitskaya is one of the few pre-revolutionary stores that has preserved its commercial purpose for more than 200 years

Conclusion

The Perlov Tea House on Myasnitskaya is living history of Moscow, embodied in stone, wood, and ceramics. This bright architectural monument in the chinoiserie style reminds us of the times when tea was just beginning to win the hearts of Russians, and merchant enterprise created true architectural wonders. Visiting the Tea House allows one to immerse oneself in the atmosphere of pre-revolutionary Moscow, admire the unique Eastern decor, and purchase high-quality tea or coffee. This is a place where history and modernity organically intertwine, creating the unforgettable aura of an ancient trading house. The Perlov Tea House remains one of the brightest attractions of the capital, which is definitely worth visiting for all lovers of architecture, history, and, of course, real tea.