He studied in the Petersburg Academy of Fine Arts from 1767 to 1782 with Alexander Kokorinov and Ivan Starov, and then in Paris from 1782 to 1786 with Jean Chalgrin.

From 1806 to 1823, Zakharov created a new, grandiose construction, with the main facade extending 407 meters, and a majestic architectural appearance that emphasised its central position in the city with arterials converging from it in three rays.

The composition of twin winged facades with smooth walls, strongly protruding porticoes, and deep loggias is symmetrically located along the sides of the tower, creating a complex rhythmical alternation of simple and clear volumes.

Decorative reliefs were integrated organically with the large architectural volumes, sculptural groups along the walls emphasise the human scale in contrast to the immensely expanded facades.

This was executed in the tradition of the French school of town planning, where the unity of the ensemble was reached by creating a rhythm of the arrangement of buildings with similar architectural details.

At this time Zakharov prepared the architectural plans for the Nizhniy Novgorod fair, which were realized by the architect Agustín de Betancourt in the following years.