Formation of the Street
Kostia Levytskoho Street, located in the Lychakivskyi district of Lviv, has a rich history. Initially, it was named “Na rurakh” (German: Röhren Gasse), associated with wooden pipes that, since the 17th century, supplied water from the Prybylo spring in Pohulianka to Lviv’s city center. In 1885, the street was renamed in honor of Polish poet Jan Kochanowski. During the German occupation from 1941 to 1944, it was called Shyroka (Breitegasse), and from 1950 to 1992, it bore the name of Soviet poet Vladimir Mayakovsky. The current name honors Kost Levytsky, a Ukrainian political and public figure, and the first head of the government of the Western Ukrainian People’s Republic.
The street’s development features various architectural styles, predominantly Art Nouveau, historicism, and modernism. Many buildings on the street are recognized as local architectural monuments.
Builders and Styles
Building No. 21–21a on Kostia Levytskoho Street is a combined residential structure consisting of two three-story tenement houses, constructed in 1905 based on a design by architect Tadeusz Obmiński. The construction was carried out by Ivan Levynskyi’s building firm. The architectural style of the building is Art Nouveau. The year of construction, “MCMV” (1905), is inscribed in Latin numerals on the building’s oriel. The monogram “JS” indicates the owner of the tenement, Józef Svoboda.
Who Was the Owner?
The first owner of the building was Józef Svoboda, as evidenced by the “JS” monogram on the building’s facade.
What Does the Building Look Like?
The building has three stories and is executed in the Art Nouveau style. The facade features an oriel with the Latin inscription “MCMV,” denoting the year 1905. Architectural details and decorations correspond to the Art Nouveau style characteristic of the early 20th century.
Interesting Facts
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The building is an example of Art Nouveau architecture in early 20th-century Lviv.
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Architect Tadeusz Obmiński was a prominent representative of the Lviv architectural school and a professor at Lviv Polytechnic.
What Is Here Now?
Currently, Building No. 21–21a remains a residential property. Thanks to the preservation of architectural elements and early 20th-century stylistics, the building is an important part of Lviv’s historical heritage.
Bibliography
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Ivana Levytskoho Street, 21–21a – Residential Building | Interactive Lviv.
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Ivana Levytskoho Street (Lviv) — Wikipedia.
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Art Nouveau heritage in Lviv — Facebook.
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Obmiński Tadeusz — Electronic Encyclopedia of Lviv Polytechnic.
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Buildings on Kostia Levytskoho Street by architect Ivan Levynskyi.