St Petersburg's famous Grand Trading Rows were established by Empress Elizabeth but the current building was built between 1761 and 1785 in the classical style according to a plan developed by architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli.  During the Second World War the building was damaged in bombing raids, but immediately restored after the end of the war.  Today the Grand Trading Rows are still used for their original purpose, as a department store - St Petersburg equivalent of Moscow's GUM.