For some, this is a historic building and an architectural symbol of St. Petersburg. For others, it is the largest bookstore, where you can come for another literary novelty. For others, it is a favorite vacation spot. The old-timers will tell how the poet Daniil Ivanovich Kharms, a master of shocking literature and life, walked along the railing of the balcony on the top floor of the Leningrad House of Books, gathering such a crowd of onlookers that traffic on Nevsky Prospekt was completely blocked. Some still remember the heroic service of the bookstore during the siege years, when it suspended operations for only two months, and only because of the freezing pipes that burst.

Petersburg was accustomed to the existence of a bookstore — it was located at this place back in 1850. But the most beautiful Art Nouveau building was built only at the beginning of the 20th century. The customer was Singer, at that time the largest manufacturer of sewing machines in the world. The building was planned to be of appropriate size — eleven floors. This contradicted the ban on the construction of residential and business buildings that exceed the height of the Winter Palace. But architect Pavel Suzor has found a compromise: the six-story building is crowned with a decorative tower with a glass globe, which makes the Singer House look much higher than its nominal size . The company's name was written on the tape around the globe. Banks, the US consulate and other institutions were also located in the building. After the October Revolution, publishing houses and a bookstore were located in the house.

Both citizens and tourists, including foreign ones, like to visit the store. The store has a large department of literature in foreign languages, convenient electronic catalogs. Now you can visit the store and order a book online. But for regulars, there is no greater pleasure than flipping through a book in the Singer cafe on the second floor or coming here to meet your favorite writer. By the way, the upper floors of the historic building are occupied by the office of the social network VKontakte, and tours are conducted around the building