Review article

The article deals with the process of transformation of Saint Petersburg buildings in the period of the XVIII-XX centuries. The buildings of the city center have been rebuilt many times, and behind the facade designed in a specific style there may hide walls referring to various historical periods. The value of a building is determined not only with its architectural and spatial characteristics, but also with building materials and structural elements used. Specific cases of transformation of buildings` facades over time are analyzed on the examples of buildings located on Millionnaya Street and English Embankment. The issue of preserving, exhibiting, and museumifying structural elements is raised.