Formation of the Street
Lychakivska Street is one of the oldest and longest streets in Lviv, stretching from the city center eastward toward the outskirts. Its origins date back to the Middle Ages, when it served as part of a major trade route to Kyiv. Over the centuries, it has remained a vital artery of the city, with buildings from various historical periods forming along it.
The street’s architectural landscape includes styles ranging from Classicism and Secession to Constructivism and contemporary architecture. The most intense development of the street occurred in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, during a period of rapid urban expansion in Lviv.
Builders and Styles
Building No. 70 was constructed in 1906 by the architectural firm of Ivan Levynskyi for the merchant and city councilor Edmund Riedel. The design is attributed to architect Tadeusz Obmiński. The structure represents ornamental Secession style and features elaborate stucco, ceramic tile panels with fruit patterns, and stylized depictions of trees — characteristic motifs in Levynskyi’s work.
Who Was the Owner?
The original owner was Edmund Riedel, a merchant and member of Lviv’s city council.
What Does the Building Look Like?
The building is a three-story tenement house with asymmetrical massing and rich Secession-style decoration. The façade features floral stucco ornamentation and large ceramic tile panels that depict trees and fruits, reflecting the nature-inspired aesthetic typical of the ornamental Secession. Balconies with wrought-iron railings complement the composition of the upper stories.
Interesting Facts
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The façade is considered one of the finest examples of ornamental Secession in Lviv.
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The ceramic panels on the façade, created by the Levynskyi firm, are among the best-preserved examples of early 20th-century applied architectural art in the city.
What Is There Now?
Today, the building serves as a residential structure.
Bibliography
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Lychakivska St., 70 – Lviv – Wikimapia
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Lychakivska Street – Lviv Forever
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“A Florentine Campanile and the Phantom Railway Station” – Tvoe Misto