The hotel was opened in December 1851, a month and a half later after a regular communication was adjusted at the first Russian railway. Rooms of a largest at that time hotel were equipped with different engineering innovations: pneumatic ovens, ventilators, receivers. In the beginning of the 20th century the hotel, that time called the Big Northern Hotel, reached the peak of its prosperity. Luxuriously furnished rooms, several restaurants, billiard parlours, telephone communication with the city, its own omnibus running to all Petersburg stations and many other favours attracted wealthy guests.

Nowadays one of the oldest St. Petersburg hotels is trying to win back its former fame. Thus, in 1998 a large-scale reconstruction project was developed with the aim to turn Oktjabrskaya into a multifunctional business complex comprising a three-star hotel with 447 rooms, shops, office and health centres, a night club. The central part of the building will be again decorated with a glass dome, an atrium with a restaurant for breakfasts will be built in one of the inner yards, and a conference hall for 250 people in another.

Photo by A. Fedotova, S. Tjagin, Interpress

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