TSUM in Ulyanovsk — Online Webcam on Goncharova Street

Ulyanovsk and Its Premier Shopping Center

Ulyanovsk — a city on the Volga River, known as the birthplace of Lenin, but this city lives on more than just its historical heritage. In the very heart of town, at the intersection of key streets, stands a building that has remained one of the city's landmarks for decades. TSUM is not just a shopping center — it is an entire era in the architecture and social life of Ulyanovsk. If you want to see this place with your own eyes, the online webcam gives you that opportunity right now — in real time, you can watch Goncharova Street and the facade of the legendary department store.

History of the Place: From Gostiny Dvor to TSUM

The history of this site began long before the current building appeared. As early as 1832, at the intersection of Bolshaya Saratovskaya (now Goncharova Street) and Dvortsovaya (now Karla Marksa), a Gostiny Dvor was built. Two devastating fires — in 1892 and later — destroyed the wooden structures, and new buildings were erected in their place. By 1857, a commercial infrastructure was already forming here, which over time became one of the main trading hubs of Simbirsk.

The modern TSUM building appeared in 1970 — a typical example of late Soviet commercial architecture, grand and monumental. For many years, the department store remained a place people visited not only for shopping but also for experiences — in the era of shortages, TSUM was one of the few places where you could find a truly wide range of goods.

2013 Reconstruction: A New Lease on Life

By the early 2010s, the building had become morally and technically outdated. Major renovation began and concluded triumphantly — on June 1, 2013, TSUM opened its doors to visitors after a large-scale reconstruction. The updated department store retained its recognizable appearance, but inside it became completely modern: new retail space, updated utilities, renovated facades.

The total area of the shopping center is 13,800 square meters, and the building reaches 9–10 floors depending on the section. This is a truly massive structure that dominates the surrounding development and serves as a landmark for both residents and visitors to Ulyanovsk.

Architectural Mystery: The "Crack" That Saves the Building

One of the most striking features of TSUM remained a mystery to ordinary people for a long time. The building is literally "cut" in half by a vertical strip — an unusual architectural element that looks like a giant crack. Many thought it was a construction error or the result of settling. But in 2025, the secret was revealed: it is an artificially created controlled expansion joint that divides the massive structure into two parts.

Why is this necessary? The TSUM building reacts to temperature fluctuations — from summer heat to winter cold — and slightly "shifts," changing its geometric dimensions. Without this joint, destructive stresses would arise in the structure. The crack allows the two halves of the building to move independently of each other, preserving the integrity of the entire structure. The facade finish and interior design necessarily take this feature into account, maintaining the ability to move freely along this joint.

Not all columns inside the building have the same spacing — it is precisely in the joint zone that they are arranged asymmetrically, creating that very "cut" that runs through the entire building from top to bottom.

New Owner and Plans for the Future

In 2026, it became known that TSUM had changed owners. The new owner is 33-year-old entrepreneur Yaroslav Baidakov, known online by the nickname mr_dvornik. He purchased the department store together with his father and has already announced grandiose plans to transform TSUM into a lifestyle center of a new format.

Among the most ambitious projects is the installation of the largest LED screen in Russia. This is not just an advertising board, but part of a new concept that should turn the building's facade into a media space. Changes to the facade finish have also been announced: the louver spacing will become denser, and the anodized coating will be replaced with white — this will give the building greater integrity and soften the perception of vertical lines.

Practical Information for Visitors

TSUM is open daily from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, making it convenient to visit any day of the week. The shopping center offers a wide range of services: women's and men's clothing, jewelry, coffee shops and cafes, a children's play area for families with children. For visitors with limited mobility, a special restroom is equipped, and automatic doors are installed at the entrance.

Parking for 60 cars solves the problem of car placement in the city center. Free Wi-Fi is available inside, and QR code payment is supported — everything for the comfort of the modern shopper. Information phone: +7 (842) 242-10-10.

Goncharova Street: The Heart of Ulyanovsk

Goncharova Street, 21 — the address of TSUM — is located in the historic center of Ulyanovsk. This street is named after the famous writer Ivan Goncharov, a native of Simbirsk, and has always been one of the city's main arteries. Near TSUM, there are other significant landmarks: administrative buildings, historic mansions, and pedestrian zones.

The real-time webcam shows exactly this section — you see the flow of people, cars, and how the lighting changes throughout the day. This is the living pulse of the city that never stops.

Why You Should Watch TSUM Right Now

Ulyanovsk is a city that changes before your eyes. TSUM, having undergone reconstruction in 2013 and now preparing for a new chapter under its new owner, is at the center of these changes. The online webcam allows you to see the building in its current state — with that famous "crack," the white facade, and the bustling street around it.

Whether you are planning a trip to Ulyanovsk, interested in architecture, or simply want to see how a provincial Russian city lives — the camera broadcast provides this opportunity at any time of day.

What You Can See on the Camera

The online webcam broadcasts a view of the TSUM shopping center in Ulyanovsk in real time. On the screen, you see the facade of the 1970 building with its characteristic vertical "crack" — the controlled expansion joint that divides the structure. In front of the building is a section of Goncharova Street with moving cars and pedestrians. Depending on the time of day and weather, the lighting changes: during the day, facade details and shop windows are clearly visible, while in the evening the lighting turns on. The camera operates in live broadcast mode — you watch the city in real time, without delays.