The Vorontsov Palace was built in 1749-1757 by Rastrelli in the style of country estates. It was set far back from the road in the middle of a park plot with a formal front courtyard leading up to it from the gates of the wrought-iron fence. Seen from Sadovaya Street, the façade presents a most striking picture, and it seems all the more impressive for the low service wings placed perpendicularly to it at the sides.

The illustrous house of Vorontsov dates back to the 14th century. Its members always held important state posts and carried out difficult diplomatic missions. For example, Semyon Vorontsov, nephew of the palaces owner, was a talented diplomat and ambassador to London where a street was named after him. Yekaterina Vorontsova-Dashkova took part in the conspiracy which placed Catherine II on the throne and later became the first woman president of the Russian Academy. Mikhail Vorontsov himself was in charge of Russian foreign policy during Elizabeths reign and a strong supporter of the French orientation.