Kushnarev House

Fountain in Buff summer garden in the early 1900s

The Kushnarev House was built in the early 1900s. It was built by order of famous Rostov manufacturer Vasiliy Semyonovich Kushnarev. His brother Jakov Kushnarev owned also a tobacco house nearby this building. Dwellings in the Kushnarev House were rented. Before the revolution of 1917, renowned restaurant with a porch in the yard occupied the ground floor.[2] The entrance to upmarket Buff summer garden was located in the Kushnarev House's yard.[3]

The building was nationalized after the establishment of the Soviet rule in 1920. It was turned over to military staff of the North Caucasus Military District. A soldierly mess-hall was accommodated in the building. The roof was destroyed during the Second World War. It was restored with several changes.[3] The Kushnarev House is owned by the Southern Military District currently. Military staff of the Southern Military District restored the building in 2012. An original appearance was subsequently partially lost.[4]

The building was designed in the Neo-Moorish style. The high second floor windows have semicircular upper parts. An archivolt is supported by Corinthian twin engaged columns. The high cornice is crowned with slight parapet. Architecture of the Kushnarev House employs elements of decoration of eastern architecture. These include moldings and Islamic ornament. The facade is decorated with banded rustications. The building initially had a marble staircase and dome.[3]