Created in 1902 by Vladislav Gorodetsky, an avid hunter, the animal-covered building was meant to be his living quarters, but Gorodetsky soon had to vacate the building due to money troubles. It changed many hands over the years, but currently is an official building of the Ukrainian President.

When built in the early 20th century, it cost 133,000 rubles, which would be around a million rubles today. While some of the animals ornamenting the structure may be gargoyles, which are animal-like (or in this case, actually animal) waterspouts, meant to get water off already-heavy church roofs, most are grotesques, which are often just as gnarly as gargoyles, but are purely cosmetic.