SINGER HOUSE

The first “modern” building to be constructed in St. Petersburg was the Russian corporate headquarters and manufacturing facilities for Singer Sewing Machine Company. It opened in 1904 and featured an art nouveau design, unlike anything else in the city. Restrictions by city ordinances limited the height of the building, but the architect topped it with a glass globe sculpture to make it seem larger than 6 stories. Today, the Singer House is occupied by VK, Russia’s version of Facebook.

After clearing security with your escort, you climb the Singer House’s central staircase and walk down a corridor flanked by aisles of cubicles. At the end of the corridor is the building’s archives, showcasing old sewing machines and period fashion. You are handed a curious pattern that was used to make one of the royal dresses. Recognizing the monogram on it, you know the pattern also contains the animal and gemstone that you are here for.