On February 26, 1888, Leo De Boure (1840–1889), the oil magnate, founder of "Caspian Partnership" Joint Stock Company and millionaire appealed to the Baku City Council for approval of two-storied stone palace plan, which he wanted to build.

[1][2][3] On August 31, 1888, project of construction of the palace was approved by the Mayor of Baku, Stanislav Despot-Zenovich and member of the executive board, L. Nikulin.

In 1896, one of the family members, brother of chairman of Caspian Partnership Society, Arshak Osipovich Gukasov moved to the palace and settled in several rooms of it.

[4] After the October Revolution of 1917, on July 31, 1918, with the active participation of British Consul E. McDonald, the government in Baku was passed from the Islamic Army of the Caucasus to Centrocaspian Dictatorship, which was invited to protect the city.

Following it, the headquarters of the British Command headed by General William Thomson was placed in the palace dedicated to Caspian Partnership.

The palace-type building built by Nicholas von der Nonne is his first and last attempt to use volume-spatial solution by actively using plastic tools.

Concerning this, the architect, Nicholas von der Nonne, paid special attention to the harmony of buildings in the neighborhood while working on the project.

[2] The baroque-style architecture of the palace, the well-placed classic elements and the powerful plastic tools (porticoes) used in the background of building using unhewn stone have an important role.

[6] While preparing for the master plan of Baku engineer Nicholas von der Nonne, put it in the construction of a circular trunk around Old City and designated the place of the palace.

[7] The palace plan and architectural solution differs by industrialist tones: enfilade of the rooms are completed with hall chambers, the windows are facing the front facade.

The exact system of capital walls is represented by one layered construction and constitutes basis of the carcass, which is connected to extensive corridors.

[8] Architect Nicholas von der Nonne worked in the construction of the modern center of Baku (late 19th century) and managed to incorporate his position in the development of city architecture.

[9] The triaxial shaped bulging center of side parts of the building facade are marked by vertical avant-corps and this results in the formation of plastics volume.

Creation of architectural forms by classic methods has resulted in separation of strong stylobate of the facade surface and the rustication part of the first floor with large stone blocks.

[8] The classic forms of the portico's columns, the corinthian order of the rustications, the thin profiles of the window frames, and the first-floor floor covering on the lightweight stone background create the fullness of the palace's architectural composition.

[7] The building of the Nicholas von der Nonne is his first attempt of the use of volumetric settlement of the mansion through the active use of porticoes, loggias and other plastic means.

The building is distinguished by the individuality of the planned and architectural solution: enfilades of rooms which has windows looking at main facade are completed with halls.

[10] Facade on the side of Niyazi street and specially mentioned and not deep avant-corps which has three axis are divided into two floors with stylobates which are profiled through the whole corps.

[12] Architect N.A von der Nonne created an oriental interior in its own unique style for local architectural traditions in one of the corner rooms of the second floor.

[12] On the second floor of De Boure's palace, there are two separate lounges oriented to front facade which was designed for ceremonial receptions.

Long, straight corridors on the right and left sides of the building plan connect the entire room with an enfilade system.

The semi-ringed wall cavity, close to the columns and the floor of the hall, creates soft and cozy atmosphere with large arches.