Prince Boris Ivanovich Kurakin (1676–1727), who had been the Russian ambassador in Paris since 1724, was so impressed with the House of Disabled People that he decided to create a similar charitable institution in Moscow.

In 1731, Empress Anna Ioannovna, by her decree, donated to Prince Alexander Kurakin a land tenure in the Basmannaya Sloboda 50 meters long, 40 fathoms wide for the construction of a spital (hospital).

The Empress's generous gift was due not only to respect for the merits of Boris Ivanovich Kurakin and his good intentions, but also to his interest in developing the territory of the Basmannaya Sloboda.

As Boris Kurakin bequeathed, the complex was built "with good architecture", "with all beauty" and "according to foreign custom".

[4] In the center of the ensemble was the church of Nikolai Ugodnik, connected to the premises of the hospital (demolished in Soviet times).

The main facade of the temple with its curvature resembled an altar apse, but was facing north and served as a narthex.

[3] In the 1790s, the ensemble was replenished with a two-story manor built for his family by the great-grandson of Boris Ivanovich Kurakin – Stepan Borisovich.

[5] During the Patriotic War of 1812, Napoleon arranged an infirmary for the French wounded in the Hospice House, and in the church of Nikolai Ugodnik he founded a stable.

In 1902, he reconstructed the main building – strengthened the foundation, built on the second floor, and widened the window openings so that the rooms became lighter and more comfortable.

[6] Today, concerts, music and art festivals, conferences and forums are held here, and national holidays are celebrated.