The Upper Trading Rows were built in 1893. The 794 foot façade defines the northeast boundary of Red Square. After the Russian Revolution of 1917, the retail complex was nationalized into the State Department Store. The acronym GUM was adopted for its Russian name Glávnyj Universáľnyj Magazín meaning Main Universal Store. After the Soviet Union era ended in 1991, the retail space was privatized again. Today, GUM is a luxury shopping mall with about 200 retailers beneath the dramatic steel and glass roof. Nearby on Theatre Square is TSUM, an equally impressive and expensive shopping experience filled with designer brands.
