Formation of the Street
Mariia Konopnytska Street is located in the Lychakiv district of Lviv and stretches from Kostya Levytskoho Street to Zelena Street. Its formation dates back to the late 19th — early 20th century, during a period of active urban expansion of Lviv to the east of the city center.
This area previously consisted of estates and manors located near Pohulianka — a prestigious suburban recreational zone for Lviv residents. With the city’s growth, the need for new residential quarters for the middle class prompted the parcelling of large land holdings and the planning of new streets. The design of these streets, including the future Konopnytska Street, was carried out according to municipal regulatory plans of the late 19th century.
Initially, the street had a technical or internal name related to plot numbering, and only during the interwar period was it officially named after Maria Konopnicka — a Polish writer, poet, and social activist. This renaming was part of a broader trend of honoring prominent cultural figures in Lviv, which at that time remained under Polish administration.
The street’s development took place between 1900 and the 1930s, and is predominantly represented by medium-sized residential buildings in the styles of Art Nouveau, Functionalism, and Art Deco. Its relatively short length gives it a cozy, intimate character. In the urban plan, the street serves as a connector between larger arteries — Levytskoho and Zelena Streets.
Today, Mariia Konopnytska Street retains much of its early 20th-century historical appearance and forms part of the architectural ensemble that defines the character of the Lychakiv district.
Builders and Styles
Constructed in 1912 according to the project by architect Józef Awin, this four-story tenement building was commissioned by brothers Aron and Herman Nacht, who owned a brick factory.
Who Was the Owner?
In 1911, brothers Aron and Herman Nacht purchased two plots: a corner lot at the intersection of Kochanowskiego Street (now Kostya Levytskoho Street) and Jasna Street (now Mariia Konopnytska Street), and the adjacent plot at number 4.
The architectural project was prepared by Józef Awin, and both buildings were executed in the same stylistic approach.
What Does the Building Look Like?
The building has an L-shaped layout and is situated on flat terrain.
The façades are decorated with characteristic Art Nouveau elements: stucco, bay windows, and decorative inserts between windows.
A distinctive feature is the rounded corner with a bay window and preserved original wooden window frames.
The balconies on the second and third floors have decorative metal railings.
In the entrance hall, the original floor tiles have been preserved, and the main staircase is adorned with Art Nouveau murals.
Literature
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Konopnicka Street (Lviv) – WikipediaLviv Center
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Konopnicka Street, 8 – Residential Building | Interactive Lviv
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Jewish Architects of Lviv – Jewish Towns of Ukraine
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Shevelov in Lviv. From “Honeymoon” to the whimsical combination of small details – Photos of Old Lviv