Since 1740 land of the house # 48 on Nevsky Prospekt had belonged to architect M. G. Zemtsov. Here he began to build his house. But he didn't manage to finish it as he died in 1743. This land site, that already belonged to his widow, was purchased by Empress Elizabeth in 1747. The land was repeatedly changing its owners. Among the house's residents in 1836 one could name Dutch Ambassador Baron Gekkern with his adopted son, Georges d'Anthes.

Petersburg Passage was open on  May, 9 (22), 1848. Aristocrat, Count Yakov Ivanovich Essen-Stenbock-Fermor was the author of the idea of ​​building a new shopping gallery.  Golitsinskaya gallery in Moscow served as a building prototype.  On the first floor of the Passage there were warehouses, on the second - spaces for commercial establishments, and on the third - residential areas. Building on the Italian street housed a concert hall. The name of the shopping center - "Passage" - comes from the French "passer", which means to wander. Covered street-gallery stretched for 180 m.

In mid-century Passage was not only the center of Petersburg's trade but also the main spot of public life, a popular place for business and social meetings. Passage became a fashionable place and visiting it was a must. In 1858 the largest in the city educational center appeared. Here, public lectures were read and accessible literature was spread.

1859–1863 – these were the years of the blossoming literary readings in Passage, that became unusually popular due to participation of well-known Russian writers.

The following period of 1865–1890s can be described as time of smooth decline in interest towards Passage. This was caused by several reasons, but the principal ones were rapid growth of the city's population and subsequent emergence of new fashionable shops, which made a decent competition to the building on Nevsky, 48.

Passage was then owned by Princess N. A. Baryatinskaya on the eve of her 50th anniversary. As intentionally, on January, 21 of commemorative 1898 the building caught fire, the consequences of which served as a stimulus to its reconstruction. Passage faced not only a reconstruction of the facades and interiors, but also a deep technical modernization.

On February 1, 1900, Passage was closed for reconstruction, which was completed in less than one year. The new Passage appeared before the public as an imposing, monumental building with additional floor, topped with a high attic and standing out among the surrounding buildings. Besides countless improvements in the interior and finishes in the building on Nevsky, 48, the highest elevator of those times was installed, along with power plant for lighting and heating. Glass roof was also reconstructed.

Permanent rentors and respectable merchants were returning to the Passage. Ground floor on the left side from the entrance housed a branch of Russia's first foreign bank, "Lyons Credit".

In 1901, the Passage saw an opening of the theater, which in 1904 received a title of Drama Theater. Success of the theater was very much reached thanks to the star of Alexandrinsky Theater, Vera F. Komissarzhevskaya. She left the imperial stage to create a fundamentally new theater, in tune with the call of time.

Society was in need for changes. Existing in the atmosphere of lawlessness, employees of shops and stores got together in circles to fight for their rights. On January 9, 1905, after the peace march of the proletariat shooting on Vosstaniya square (Znamenskaya), the country saw the first stage of revolution, ended with the 12 hours working day, with an event, which became a victory, even though it was part-time and temporary.

At the beginning of XX century, traders in the Passage had to withstand even stronger competition than ever before. By 1906, the number of commercial enterprises in St. Petersburg had grown up to 12,000 and exceeded 16 000 in 1914. Passage continued to play an important role in cultural life of the capital: there were regular exhibitions of artists, cinema, and entertainments. Passage auditorium was rented to various teams, most notable of which in 1913 was Moscow Theater named after S. F. Saburov.

The beginning of the World War I on July 19, 1914, negatively affected the state of the country, leading it to economic crisis. Another wave of dissent led to revolution. Political system of the country dramatically changed: firstly in February, 1917, with the advent of the Kerensky government, and then in October of the same year, when the Bolsheviks came to power.

In October, 1917, the Soviet era had begun, the era, which had dramatically changed Russian destiny. In May, 1920, the Government adopted an order to ban non-State trade. Passage as a private store ceased to exist.

Supermarket reopened on February, 3, 1922, as cooperative enterprise owned by Petrogradsky common consumer society with a new name "Universal Passage" and was intended to represent the progress of Soviet cooperation.

In September, 1933, Passage became an illustrative department store in the state trade system.

In the late 1980s, the country was touched by lease relations. In 1989, team of the Passage was one of the first to rent department store equipment. Having provided its financial and economic independence in 3 years, Passage became a closed joint-stock company (JSC "TPF" Passage "). In May, 1993 Passage became a member of the International Association of trade centers.

Passage seeked not only to maintain its architectural heritage, but also to restore its initial appearance, distorted by repeated alterations.

In 1992-1994, trade halls were decorated with chandeliers and ceiling lamps, designed according to historical sketches. The area of the newly-opened supermarket was more than 700 m². More than 7000 names of food items were sold there. On August, 18, 1994, on the 2nd floor of the Passage a new hall of shoes and related items was opened with an area about 600 m².

A glorious path of Passage's history counts for over 150 years.

During the anniversary year lots of halls were repaired and equipped with modern commercial equipment. The main building reconstruction was envisaged, along with floors replacement and elevators installation. Passage buildings on the Italian street, 17, were also renovated.

All that was created in the Passage for the century and a half, is very much an achievement of several generations. They have always been characterized by the highest spiritual and human qualities. Work of many of them was marked by high government awards, and the three were awarded the title of Honored Worker of Trade of the Russian Federation.
 
 

"Passage" today is not only a part of St.Petersburg's historical heritage but also a prosperous business enterprise of the new type.

More than 10,000 customers visit "Passage" daily, and in the days of pre-holiday trade the customers flow triples. Currently, Joint-Stock Company "Passage" is the largest center of boutique trade with the already established professional team of likeminded people who value traditions and reputation of the firm. Customer service has been steadily growing, collections are updated, and product lines of goods are expanding.

In the future it is planned to create a multi-functional shopping complex, using the area adjacent to the "Passage" on Italian street, house 17.