Formation of the Street
Ivana Kotliarevskoho Street is located in the Frankivskyi District of Lviv, in the historic area of Kastelivka. Its formation began at the end of the 19th century when architects Julian Zachariewicz, his son Alfred Zachariewicz, and builder Ivan Levynskyi implemented the concept of a “garden city.” They acquired lands known as Novyi Svit and Baiky, and from 1888 onward, they gradually developed them with villas based on their own designs.
The main artery of this area became the street initially named “Na Villakh” (At the Villas), later renamed “Nabielaka,” and since 1946 it has been known as Ivana Kotliarevskoho, in honor of the classic Ukrainian writer. The street’s development features a variety of architectural styles, including Viennese Secession, historicism, Art Nouveau, and functionalism. Most of the buildings along the street are listed in Lviv’s Register of Local Architectural Monuments.
Builders and Styles
Building No. 25 was constructed in 1908–1909, most likely designed by architect Oleksandr Lushpynskyi. The construction was carried out by Ivan Levynskyi’s architectural and construction firm. The building reflects the late Secession style, characterized by decorative stucco and elements typical of early 20th-century aesthetics. The rounded shape of the front wall marks a departure from traditional “picture-like” facade designs, signaling a more fluid and expressive architectural language. The internal layout follows a sectional plan.
Who Was the Owner?
The first recorded owner of the building was Maryan G. Kuczyński, who commissioned the design and construction. In the interwar period, the house was inhabited by educated members of the middle class, such as engineers, civil servants, and professors.
What Does the Building Look Like?
The building is three stories high with a tall attic level. It features a symmetrical facade decorated in the Secession style. The central part includes a prominent oriel with a balcony, flanked by vertical window niches. The facade is painted in pastel tones, and the original stucco decorations have been well preserved. The ground floor features a main arched entrance with original doors and decorative glass panels.
Interesting Facts
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The building is part of the Kastelivka ensemble — one of the best-preserved modernist districts in Lviv.
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The curved front facade is a hallmark of late Secession architecture, enhancing the building’s sculptural appearance.
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The structure is harmoniously integrated into the landscaped surroundings, with a garden-recreational area around it.
What Is There Now?
Today, the building serves a residential function. The apartments are privately owned.
Bibliography
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Encyclopedia of Lviv. Vol. 2.
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Architecture of Lviv: Time and Styles. XIII–XXI centuries. — Lviv, 2008.
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Melnyk I. Lviv Streets and Tenement Houses. — Lviv, 2008.
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Interactive Lviv / Center for Urban History.
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Kastelivka: Modernism and Garden City Planning in Lviv.