 The building was founded in 1887 as an "Artists' Society".Upon request of the Artists' Society, several celebrated artists were commissioned to paint frescoes on the walls and ceilings of the basement.These artists included prominent Georgian painters Lado Gudiashvili and David Kakabadze, as well as theatre set designer Serge Sudeikin, who is known for his work for the Ballets Russes and the Metropolitan Opera.