The Dernov apartment building was typical of its time, with a range of apartments catering to tenants with differing levels of income. In addition to being a famous poet and philosopher, Ivanov was also one of the main theorists of Symbolism. The subjects he offered his guests for discussion included "Romanticism and the Modern Soul" and "Individualism and the new art", so the “Tower” became a sort of spiritual home for the various talents that gathered there. Today, the building is home to a kindergarten so unless you’re a small child, you can only get a glimpse of the interiors, including several fine stained-glass windows, as part of a guided tour.