The staircase of the former Alchevsky’s Commercial Bank, located at Constitution Square, 26, is just as memorable as its facade.

The Neo-Renaissance building was constructed in 1899 based on a design by architect Oleksyi Beketov for the Commercial Bank owned by his father-in-law, Oleksyi Alchevsky.

The facade details were designed by Beketov’s student, Vasily Krichevsky.

After the 1917 Revolution, various institutions were located here.

During World War II, the building sustained heavy damage and was restored under the direction of Noi Podgorny; this is why the facade bears the date 1949 rather than 1899.

As a result of the restoration, a new section was added—a connecting passageway to the current puppet theater.

After World War II, the building housed the House of Science and Technology, which left behind a collection of themed stained-glass windows.

Today, the former bank houses several dozen commercial organizations.