Lobanov-Rostovsky Residence
Lobanov-Rostovsky Palace is a neoclassical Saint Petersburg landmark that now accommodates the Lion Palace hotel.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Lobanov-Rostovsky Residence, more commonly identified as Lobanov-Rostovsky Palace, is a historic neoclassical building at 12 Admiralteysky Avenue in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It occupies a prominent triangular site facing the Admiralty, Admiralty Garden, Voznesensky Avenue and Saint Isaac's Square. The palace was built between 1817 and 1820 for Prince Alexander Yakovlevich Lobanov-Rostovsky and is regarded as an early work by the architect Auguste de Montferrand, who later became closely associated with major imperial projects in Saint Petersburg. The building's principal architectural feature is its Empire-style entrance on Admiralteysky Avenue. An eight-column portico faces the Admiralty, while the porch is flanked by white marble Medici lions placed on granite pedestals. The sculptures were made by Paolo Triscorni and gained additional cultural prominence through their association with Alexander Pushkin's poem The Bronze Horseman. These lions became one of the defining visual symbols of the residence and later contributed to the identity of the hotel operating in the building. The palace entered state service during the nineteenth century. In 1824, its mezzanine and first floor were leased to the Ministry of War of the Russian Empire for an annual rent of 63,000 roubles. The State Treasury purchased the entire building in 1828 for one million roubles. It was renovated in 1829–1830 to accommodate the ministry, which used the property for its principal establishments until the ministry was dissolved in 1918. Following the 1917 Revolution, the building underwent several institutional changes. It housed a Military-Political Academy, an aeronautical museum and a dormitory. From 1946, it served as the home of Project Institute No. 1, the leading organization responsible for designing industrial buildings and complexes. These successive uses illustrate the building's transition from aristocratic residence to state administrative and educational facility. A major redevelopment began in 2009, when plans were launched to convert the historic structure into a luxury hotel operated by Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. The opening was repeatedly delayed from an initial target in 2011 to early 2012 and then to mid-2013. The completed project opened as Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St. Petersburg, taking its name from the entrance sculptures. The property retained the palace's historic exterior and incorporated hospitality facilities into the restored building. Four Seasons Hotels ceased managing the hotel in 2022 in the context of sanctions imposed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The hotel continued using the Lion Palace name after the management relationship ended, although it was no longer part of the international Four Seasons chain. The palace therefore remains both a protected architectural reference point and a commercially operated hospitality property, rather than a conventional consumer-product brand. It should not be confused with the separate Lobanov-Rostovsky House at 43 Myasnitskaya Street in Moscow.
History
Lobanov-Rostovsky Palace was constructed from 1817 to 1820 for Prince Alexander Yakovlevich Lobanov-Rostovsky. The building was designed by Auguste de Montferrand in a neoclassical or Empire style and occupies a triangular urban site in central Saint Petersburg. Its principal facade faces the Admiralty and includes an eight-column portico. White marble Medici lions by Paolo Triscorni stand at the entrance on granite pedestals; their literary association with Pushkin's The Bronze Horseman helped make them particularly recognizable features of the property. The residence was incorporated into the Russian imperial state's administrative system during the nineteenth century. In 1824, the Ministry of War rented the mezzanine and first floor for 63,000 roubles per year. The State Treasury purchased the whole building on 23 June 1828 for one million roubles, after which it was renovated in 1829–1830 to meet ministerial requirements. The building housed the Ministry of War's principal establishments until the ministry disappeared in 1918. After the October Revolution, the former palace acquired a series of institutional uses, including a Military-Political Academy, an aeronautical museum and a dormitory. In 1946, Project Institute No. 1 moved into the building. The institute was described as the leading organization for the design of industrial buildings and complexes, giving the palace a role in Soviet technical and administrative life. The property's modern commercial phase began with a redevelopment project launched in 2009 for Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. The conversion was intended to preserve the historic building while adding the facilities required for luxury hospitality. The proposed opening moved from 2011 to early 2012 and later to mid-2013. Once completed, the hotel operated as Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St. Petersburg, a name referring to the two monumental lions at the main entrance. In 2022, Four Seasons Hotels stopped managing the property amid sanctions imposed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The hotel continued to use the Lion Palace name despite no longer belonging to the international chain's managed portfolio. The building remains an active landmark and hospitality property. It is distinct from the Lobanov-Rostovsky House on Myasnitskaya Street in Moscow.
- 2022
Four Seasons management ends
[1]Four Seasons Hotels ceases managing the property amid sanctions related to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
- 2013
Lion Palace hotel opens
[1]The completed redevelopment begins operating as Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St. Petersburg.
- 2009
Hotel redevelopment starts
[1]A renovation and conversion project begins with the aim of creating a Four Seasons luxury hotel.
- 1946
Project Institute No. 1 moves in
[1]The building becomes the home of Project Institute No. 1, a major Soviet industrial-design organization.
- 1918
Ministry of War use ends
[1]The building's long association with the Ministry of War ends following the ministry's dissolution.
- 1829
Government renovation
[1]Renovation begins to adapt the palace for the Ministry of War.
- 1828
State purchase
[1]The State Treasury purchases the entire building.
- 1824
Ministry of War tenancy
[1]The Ministry of War rents the mezzanine and first floor for its administrative use.
- 1820
Palace completed
[1]The neoclassical residence is completed according to the design associated with Auguste de Montferrand.
- 1817
Construction begins
[1]Construction of the residence begins for Prince Alexander Yakovlevich Lobanov-Rostovsky.
Products and positioning
A landmark heritage property positioned through its Imperial-era architecture, central Saint Petersburg location and conversion into a luxury hospitality destination.
Historic building · 1820
Lobanov-Rostovsky Palace
The original neoclassical and Empire-style residence constructed for Prince Alexander Yakovlevich Lobanov-Rostovsky. Its triangular plan, prominent portico and sculpted marble lions make it a significant architectural landmark in central Saint Petersburg.
Luxury hospitality · 2013
Lion Palace hotel
A hotel conversion of the historic palace completed after a redevelopment project that began in 2009. It initially operated under the Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St. Petersburg name and continued using the Lion Palace identity after Four Seasons ended its management relationship in 2022.
Brand decisions
2022
End of Four Seasons managementStrategyBackground
International sanctions were imposed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Action taken
Four Seasons Hotels stopped managing the property.
Aftermath
The hotel continued using the Lion Palace name, although it was no longer part of the Four Seasons international chain.
2013
Opening of Four Seasons Hotel Lion PalaceProduct launchBackground
The planned hotel opening had moved from 2011 to early 2012 and then to mid-2013.
Action taken
The renovated property began operating as Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St. Petersburg.
Aftermath
The palace entered a new phase as a luxury hospitality destination using the historic building and its lion sculptures as core elements of its identity.
2009
Adaptive reuse as a luxury hotelStrategyBackground
The historic administrative and institutional building was selected for conversion into a high-end hotel while retaining its architectural identity.
Action taken
A renovation project was launched for operation by Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.
Aftermath
The redevelopment was delayed several times but ultimately produced the Lion Palace hotel.
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