[citation needed] The Neoclassical or Empire style building is an early work of the architect Auguste de Montferrand.

[citation needed] The main entrance, on the Admiralteisky Avenue, has an eight-column portico facing the Admiralty building, and its porch is guarded by white marble Medici lions by sculptor Paolo Triscorni on granite pedestals.

[3] In 1824, the mezzanine and the first floor of the residence[1] were rented for the Ministry of War of the Russian Empire for 63,000 roubles a year.

On 23 June 1828, the entire building was bought by the State Treasury for one million roubles, and in 1829-1830 it was renovated to meet the Ministry's needs.

[1] In 2009, a project to renovate the building for the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts chain started,[4] which was originally scheduled to open in 2011, then postponed to early 2012 and later to mid-2013.