Kazan' Travel Forum

I posted this question yesterday, but perhaps I didn't add it correctly as it is not there or recorded in my account info.

I am looking for old pictures, and information on the history, of the Shalyapin Palace Hotel. I am specifically interested in the history of the Smolentzev and Shmelev trading house and I believe that the building is now the Shalyapin Palace Hotel. Could anyone give me some information or direct me to where I can find informaiton or old pictures? Is there verification that these are the same buildings, and is there information on the former owners. They were apparently E. Smolentzev and N.P. Shmelev. I believe these were Efim Smolentzev and Nikolai Pavlovich Shmelev and would like to find out information on this building and its owners, and whether there are any remenants or signs of these former owners in this building. My family is planning a trip to visit the city in the future and we have a great interest in this building.

There are a lot of information about history of this building in Runet (Russian Internet), but you don't mention you understand Russian.
You are right, this is the same building which was built in 1910-1911 by local architect Vassily Triphonov for trading house "Smolentsev&Shmelev". They kept there hotel (rooms for rent ) and their main tea shop (the trading house was main supplier of Chinese teas). It's the most popular style of trading houses in 1900s - "Russian Modern". I sent you 2 pics of it in 1914 and at the present time by VT mail. I guess for more detailed information you should to apply to specialists of the museums, f.e. Museum of 1000 years of Kazan' (86, Pushkin st. - I can't find their official site) or National museum http://www.tatar.museum.ru/main_eng.htm

Thank you very much (Спосибо). I appreciate this immensely.

I can read Russian but only a little bit (Я немного говорю порусский), so English is best. My mom can read Russian better, though, and this is as much for her. She's actually the one planning to go to Kazan soon. I don't know when I shall get there, unfortunately.

I'm genealogy researcher from Cheboksary, Russia. Some time ago have had a contact with a person searching the roots of the same family - Smolentzeva Antonina & Shmelev Nikolai.
Feel free to email me for details.
Boris