Destroyed during the war but captured in photographs: a glimpse of one of Kharkiv's luxurious hotels.

Over time, the appearance of cities inevitably changes. New architectural projects take the place of ancient buildings, erasing them from the landscape. Many structures vanish due to wars, natural disasters, or the inability to restore them. Each lost building signifies the disappearance of a part of history and architectural heritage.

Earlier, we shared the story of the "Grand Hotel" in Kharkiv, which was completely destroyed during the war. Another one of these memorable buildings was the "Metropol" hotel, renowned for its elegance and status. Although it wasn't demolished entirely, efforts for its restoration were not made. Today, its appearance can only be seen in old photographs, which help visualize what the center of Kharkiv looked like many years ago.

The "Metropol" hotel in Kharkiv was constructed in 1914 based on the design by architect Boris Kornenko. It was situated in the very heart of the city — on Constitution Square (formerly known as Nikolaev Square). The building featured an original architectural solution and was considered one of the best hotels in Kharkiv, offering its guests an exceptional level of comfort and prestige.

Before the revolution, the hotel was named "Metropol," reflecting its elite status and style. However, after the establishment of Soviet power, the name was changed to a more "ideologically appropriate" one — "Krasnaya." In the pre-war years, the hotel continued to attract wealthy guests to the city.

The fate of the "Metropol" changed during World War II. The building suffered significant damage from bombings and fires, almost completely burning out from the inside. After the war, a decision was made to demolish it, as restoration proved impossible.

In the 1950s, a multi-story residential building was erected on the site of the hotel, designed by architects V. Kostenko and E. Ponomareva. This building still stands on Constitution Square.

Previously, we discussed how the legendary Privoz Market in Odessa looked over the years.