In late 1890s, Mamontov consolidated a large lot of land in central Moscow, across from
Theatre Square, for building a large civic center with his opera hall and a luxury hotel. He appointed
William Walcot as lead architect, however, in 1899 Mamontov was unjustly arrested and put on trial for
embezzlement connected with building of the
Yaroslavl railway. The project, known as
Hotel Metropol, was completed without theater by Petersburg Insurance Company. Meanwhile, from 1899 until 1904 the company existed without Mamontov, and changed its name to "Private Opera Society" (Tovarishchestvo chastnoi opery). ==See also==