In St. Petersburg, Tchaikovsky street (former St. Sergius), stands the mansion, the owner of which was a gold miner, a businessman, a descendant of Russified Germans, Alexander of celh. Structure, due to certain characteristics, different from other mansions and houses that are located on this street. The facade of the front of the mansion designed in the style of French Renaissance, courtyard facades are features of the Gothic style. In the motifs of a richly decorated interior (apart from the Gothic and Renaissance), guess the Rococo style.

The authorship of the design of the mansion and finish of its interior belongs to the architects Vasily Ivanovich Shen and Vladimir Ivanovich casino. The project was approved in 1896, and during the construction of the mansion in the project has undergone significant changes, as a result, had to re assert in 1903, when the building was already partially built. The facade of the house from the front Sandstone – basement lined with pink, the other floors are light yellow.

The interior of the mansion is worked out in detail and executed in an extremely difficult technique. In the design is a harmonious combination of different techniques and styles: stairs main entrance in the typical Renaissance style, detail, detailed composition in the Gothic style decorates a dining room with stained glass Windows, living room in Rococo manner. The interiors were used sculpture, carvings, moldings.

Interesting from the point of view of the integrity and completeness of the architectural solution and the courtyard of the house. Official (stable) outbuilding completes yard run. Exposed brick walls, it was decided not to plaster, contrasted with finely crafted decoration and openwork pavilion in the Gothic style. On the deck, in the backyard, towering arch in the Gothic style.

Deserve attention effectively made the Cabinet, instead of a huge fireplace, a Grand staircase, a living room decorated with stucco ceiling, rich Gothic decoration of the dining room.

Alexander Kelch bought for the decoration of the mansion a large number of exquisite decorative objects of great masters. For example, the Easter eggs that Kelch ordered from Carl Faberge, in the whole of Russia could only afford the oilman Ludvig Nobel, the Emperor, and A. F. Kelch. For wife the fabergé Kelch personally conducted the selection of rare jewels.

The fate of Kelch is of special interest. Kelch after the October revolution has not left Russia, and chose to stay and worked in Siberia ordinary workers at its former plant. Later, in the 20-ies, Kelch returned to St. Petersburg. But attempts to find work were unsuccessful, he was forced to sell cigarettes on the street, begging. The upshot of all that Kelch was arrested in 1930 and sent to Stalin's camps. In our time, in many auctions, you can find jewels from the rich collection of Alexander Kelch.

The mansion Kelch suffered from severe destruction in the years of blockade, but was restored in 44-45 years of the last century. The UNESCO centre in St. Petersburg was in the mansion in the 1990-ies.

In different years of the Soviet period the building was occupied by various organizations. For example, in 1919, it worked the first educational institution in the world of cinematography, in which the acting and directing were taught many cultural figures. So, in 1924, the Institute completed Vasiliev Sergey Dmitrievich, later created the legendary Soviet film "Chapaev". At the time the building is not heated, and students called the mansion "Ice house".

Most recently, the former mansion was transferred to the Ministry of justice.