The history of the building dates back to 1802, when the establishment of the Russian government in Georgia was followed by the appointment of a Commander-in-Chief of the Caucasus in Tiflis.

From 1845 to 1847, the architect Semyonov, invited from Russia, thoroughly changed the look of this whole palace and, in fact, built an interesting and unique building in the style of Classicism.

In 1865, Otto Jakob Simonson, a German architect working in Tbilisi, began a thorough reconstruction of the building and completed it in four years.

According to the 1735 plan of Tbilisi drawn up by Vakhushti, the Digomi Road passed through the present-day Rustaveli Avenue, which started at the gate of the city wall.

In the same year, an extensive garden of the outskirts, which belonged to the Georgian Royal Family was selected as a site for the construction of the Karl Knorring Residence.

The extensive Administrative building, with the inscription "Правительственные места" [Governing place]is readable on the 1802 Tbilisi plan.

During 1845-47 he drastically changed the outlook of the palace and actually he built an interesting and unique building in the style of classicism.

After becoming the senior architect of Tbilisi, he developed a number of projects, including the one of Alexander's Garden (now known as "9th of April" park) and the reconstruction of the First Classical Gymnasium.

Simonson started a thorough reconstruction of the palace with the minor alterations and completed in 1865–69, with the exact final shape it has today.

They note that the architect has significantly expanded the old residence of the Viceroy, moved its side wings forward, while the main facade was changed slightly.

While in the South, a working office of the Viceroy was located along with a reception and a living room, as well as an exhibition hall, with a terrace and a wide, open staircase to the garden.

[6] The facade, typical to classicism, was treated by the Renaissance motifs, the walls were processed with stonework technique and beautified with Musharabi panels.

The large dining room was designed in the Persian style, its walls encrusted and curved with ornamental mirrors.

According to Simonson's ordinance, the ceiling was adorned with the stalactite niche just like in the working office, windows were filled with the colorful glass, the gilded chandeliers were hung in the hall, the living room, reception, foyer and the lobby were "decorated" with the black and colorful marble chimneys.

[7] As the Russian Empire dissolved during the 1917 February Revolution and a provisional government took over, a similar body, called the Special Transcaucasian Committee (Ozakom), did the same in the Caucasus.

The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, which ended Russia's involvement in the war, conceded parts of the Transcaucasus to the Ottoman Empire, which pursued its invasion to take control of the territory.

The session opened on May 24, at 11 p.m. Jordania introduced the content of the letter sent by Akaki Chkhenkeli from Batumi, where he demanded to accelerate the declaration of independence of Georgia.

In the same hall, at 4:50 pm, a session of the Georgian National Council chaired by Noe Jordania was opened.

The Constituent Assembly replaced the National Council and approved the legal force of the Act of Independence of Georgia of May 26, 1918.

The palace was constructed in place of an earlier structure built for the Imperial High-Commissioner Pavel Tsitsianov, himself of Georgian origin, who was assigned to govern the newly annexed lands.

The current edifice was built in the mid-19th century and has since been expanded, rebuilt and remodeled several times to accommodate the needs of later Viceroys, who were of increasingly high rank and stature, such as the Emperor's own son.