During the war, the building was reduced to rubble: a glimpse of one of Kharkiv's most luxurious hotels before its destruction.

Cities evolve over time: some buildings age, making way for new ones, while others disappear under the blows of war or changes in urban development. Kharkiv, like any other city, has undergone and continues to undergo numerous transformations. Some of its architectural gems can now only be seen in old photographs or in the memories of contemporaries. One such lost landmark is the "Grand Hotel" — one of the most luxurious hotels in pre-revolutionary Kharkiv.

The History of the "Grand Hotel" in Kharkiv

The hotel building was constructed in the 1830s in Trade Square (now Pavlovskaya), becoming one of the first stone structures in the then-developing city center. Its founder was merchant Akim Pavlov, who invested considerable resources into the construction of this majestic three-story building. Later, his son, Nikita Pavlov, added another floor, making the building one of the largest and most prominent in Kharkiv.

The "Grand Hotel," also known as the "European Hotel" or "Grand Hotel Prosper," offered its guests around a hundred rooms, decorated with unparalleled luxury for that time. The walls of the rooms were adorned with silk fabrics, the furniture was made from expensive wood, and the floors were covered with carpets. This hotel frequently accommodated representatives of high society, foreign diplomats, and wealthy travelers.

On the first floor of the hotel was an elite restaurant, renowned for its exquisite cuisine. Here, dishes were served that could have been the pride of any capital establishment. This place was popular not only among guests but also among the local elite, who loved to spend their evenings here.

A significant role in the history of the "Grand Hotel" was played by the French vice-consulate. In the early 20th century, the consulate was located in this hotel. As noted by "Kharkiv Alluring," in 1910, French Vice-Consul Ludovic Raby resided in one of the rooms, followed later by Marinas Kavalas. At that time, the reasons for the consulate leaving its previous address and settling in the hotel are unknown; however, this indicates the status and high level of services provided.

With the onset of the Civil War, the "Grand Hotel" became a center of military activity. It housed the headquarters of the Volunteer Army, and after the arrival of the Bolsheviks, the building once again became a hotel, but under the name "Spartak."

Unfortunately, the magnificent "Grand Hotel" did not survive World War II. In 1943, during military operations, it was destroyed. On the site where this hotel once stood, a monument dedicated to the independence of Ukraine was erected, but it too stood only until 2012.

Today, all that remains of the majestic "Grand Hotel" are old photographs and entries in guidebooks.

Previously, we shared how one of the first streets in Dnipro looked.