Formation of the Street
Ivan Franko Street is one of the oldest and most prestigious thoroughfares in Lviv. It stretches from Soborna Square to the Novyi Lviv district and took its modern form in 1950 as a result of merging several older streets: Panska, Chernyshchevskoho, Timiryazeva, and Poninskogo. Before that, it had various names: Zbozhova (Getreidegasse), Panska, Piłsudskiego, Zyblikiewicza, Chernyshchevskoho. The street’s development began in the late 19th century, when the Sofiyivka area saw intensive construction of villas, income houses, and mansions for the city’s upper class. In 1895, the street was named after philanthropist Wincenty Poninski, and in 1950 it received its current name in honor of Ivan Franko.
Builders and Styles
The building at 124 Ivan Franko Street, also known as the House of S. Myshkovskyi (sometimes spelled Michkovskyi), was constructed in the early 20th century. It was designed by renowned architect Ludwik Baldwin-Ramułt, with sculptural decorations by Julian Szebesta. The building is a notable example of Art Nouveau (Secession) architecture, featuring ornamental stucco, iron balconies, and architectural motifs typical of the style, including floral reliefs and curved lines.
Who Was the Owner?
The original owner was S. Myshkovskyi, whose initials are still visible in the building’s ornamentation. During the Soviet era, the building was used as a residential dwelling, and this function has continued into the present. It is currently in private ownership.
What Does the Building Look Like?
The tenement at 124 Ivan Franko Street is a three-story structure with an attic. The facade features an expressive bay window with a balcony topped by a decorative fronton. The windows are richly framed with stucco floral ornamentation. Art Nouveau sculptural details are visible in the arches and along the facade, contributing to its distinctive appearance.
Interesting Facts
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The Myshkovskyi House is listed as a local architectural monument and is considered a textbook example of Lviv Art Nouveau.
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Sculptor Julian Szebesta also worked on other significant buildings in Lviv, including on Kopernyka and Doroshenka Streets.
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Architect Ludwik Ramułt was active in Lviv at the turn of the century and frequently collaborated with Ivan Levynskyi.
What Is There Now?
Today, the building functions as a residential house. The ground floor is occupied by commercial premises — shops, salons, and offices — while the upper floors are residential apartments.
Bibliography
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Melnyk I. V. “Streets of Lviv”
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Biryulov Yu. “Architecture of Lviv: Time and Styles. 13th–21st Centuries”
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“Lviv: A Guidebook for the Visitor”
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“History of Lviv” edited by Kozytskyi A.