“Ludvig, I want a house that reflects my success”. So said Ludvig Ivanovich Krona to architect Leontiy Nikolayevich Benois. Today we stand before Dacha L.I. Krona. It is a testament to ambition and architectural vision.
Dacha L.I. Krona is located in Peterhof on Primorskaya Street. This regional monument has a rich past. It reflects changing fortunes over the decades.
Built in 1891-1892, Dacha L.I. Krona was designed by Leontiy Benois. It was commissioned by Ludvig Ivanovich Krona. Krona wanted a residence that matched his status. Benois delivered an impressive building in the Neo-Gothic style. The dacha complex included the main house on the upper terrace. A path led down to another house on the lower terrace. This house sat a short distance away on the Gulf of Finland shore.
After the revolution, the dacha and surrounding estates were given to a trade union. It became a sanatorium for workers. Later after the Great Patriotic War, it was transferred to Leningrad State University. It served as a retreat for university staff.
By the early 1990s, Dacha L.I. Krona fell into disuse. The upper house was abandoned. In 1995, a fire caused significant damage to the architectural landmark. Soon after, locals dismantled the remains down to the foundation.
In 1990, Dacha Krona was recognized as a regional monument. Preservation became a concern. However, the university lacked funds for maintenance and restoration. The building gradually deteriorated.
In 2016, the Agency for the Management and Use of Monuments became interested in Dacha L.I. Krona. Today Saint Petersburg State University develops strategies for the dacha’s transfer. They are considering transferring it to another user. Ideally it will be an agency equipped to restore it.
Dacha L.I. Krona stands as a reminder of its past glory. It also highlights the challenges of preserving architectural heritage. Its story is a complex mix of ambition and neglect. It is a story etched in the stones of Saint Petersburg. Despite its current state, it remains a significant piece of local history. It awaits a future where it will hopefully be restored to its former splendor. The hope is that Dacha L.I. Krona will once again reflect the ambition of its original owner. The vision of its architect will also be seen again.