| |
The Metropole Hotel in Moscow, built from
1899 to 1903, was, one of the first buildings in Russia to break with the past,
though not completely. It was designed by an English architect, V. Walcott, who
was invited to work in Russia. This rather sturdy building, accepted by most
people as following Modern trends, has a facade decorations derived from
different styles, with the ground floor covered with polished red granite, a
large band of bas-reliefs, and a large panel picture in ceramics with several
Gothic turrets on top of it.
The period from, the beginning of the 20th century until the revolution
continued to be characterized by housing construction for the rapidly growing
middle class. Large facades were often covered with sham ornamentation,
considered attractive by the private tenants of the time. As for the public
buildings, there are few of interest; they will be later described. (This hotel
is now being torn down)
|
|
