The embankment got its name in honor of one of the oldest churches in the capital — Sophia the Wisdom of God in Sredny Sadovniki, built in stone at the end of the 17th century. However, only the bell tower of this church, built in the second half of the 19th century, overlooks the embankment itself.

Among the houses, personal and profitable, each of which is interesting for its history and architecture, there were also factory buildings: the famous Einem confectionery factory (now it is dilapidated two-story mansion), Cloth Yard built by Peter the Great for the manufacture of fabric for army uniforms (demolished during the construction of the Big Bridge), the Liszt mechanical plant.

A large complex of buildings now occupied by Rosneft was formerly called the “House of Free Apartments named after Brothers A. A. and V. A. Bakhrushins”. It housed women's and men's vocational schools, a canteen, a house for poor widows and female students, all donated by generous merchants. A house church was also built at the house. Sofiyskaya Embankment was another well-known educational institution throughout the country - in 1851, Empress Maria Fedorovna founded the Mariinsky Women's School here “not only to educate the mind, but also for the formation of the heart and character” of the pupils.

In the 90s of the last century, a plan for the reconstruction of the embankment was developed, along which some of the historical buildings were to be demolished. But after the demolition of the chambers of the XVII century under public pressure, the reconstruction was suspended. In 2018, emergency prevention work was carried out at several historical sites. It is planned that in the foreseeable future, after the reconstruction of the embankment, its historical appearance will be returned.