1853
The railway station was built for a railway connection between the city and the tsar's residence in Gatchina. Its first building was built in 1853. In 1851, Nicholas I issued a decree to build the S.Peterburgo-Varshavskaya railway.
1862
By 1862, the railway stretched from St. Petersburg to Warsaw, and a separate branch went to Prussia. By this time, the first railway station connecting Russia with Europe acquired a new building. The main façade was completely changed: its central part was highlighted by a huge stained glass window and a clock tower, referring to European town halls as central public places in cities.
1914-1917
During the First World War, trains with wounded soldiers arrived at the station. For this purpose, a branch of the city tram network was specially built to the platform. During the October Revolution, workers defending the city took refuge in the station building.
1949
During the Great Patriotic War, the front line was ten kilometers from the Obvodny channel and Varshavsky Station was constantly shelled. In 1949, a large-scale restoration was completed. New vestibules and waiting rooms were built on the territory, and many green spaces appeared around. A monument to Lenin was erected in place of the former stained glass window.
1990-е
Surprisingly, for a long period of its Soviet history, the station operated under the threat of demolition — the building interfered with plans to unite Izmailovsky and Novoizmailovsky Prospects into a single highway. It was the monument to Lenin that saved the station — they did not dare to demolish it.
2001
In 2001, the Museum of Railway Equipment named after the engineer and head of the October Railway V. V. Chubarov was opened on the platforms of the station. In October, train traffic to the station ceased and a long reconstruction of the building began, the result of which was the creation of the Varshavsky Express shopping and entertainment complex here, designed by G. Bartoli.
2022
Varshavsky Station is getting a second life, becoming a center of attraction for city residents and guests. Now it is the largest food mall in Russia and Europe, as well as one of the leading event venues in the city. The updated symbol of St. Petersburg remains a place of unique architectural heritage in its modern interpretation.