Street Formation
Henerala Hryhorenka Street in Lviv, located in the Halytskyi district, has a rich history that reflects the political and social transformations of the city.
The square where the street is located emerged in the early 19th century as Jesuit Square, named for its proximity to the Jesuit Garden. In 1885, it was renamed after Polish politician Franciszek Smolka, who lived in a building on the square. After World War II, the square was renamed Victory Square. In 1993, it was given its current name in honor of Petro Hryhorenko — a Soviet general and human rights activist.
The street is known for its architectural diversity. Among the notable buildings is No. 3, constructed in 1911 by architect Alfred Zachariewicz. In the interwar period, it housed various government offices and the popular “Warszawa” café.
Building No. 4, erected in 1906, was formerly the Commercial House of J. Stromenger. Building No. 5, built in 1912 by architect Józef Piątkowski, is known as the Grüner Passage. It housed the “Marysienka” cinema and currently serves as the home of the Lviv Spiritual Theater “Voskresinnia.”
Today, Henerala Hryhorenka Street retains its historic character and is an important part of Lviv’s urban fabric. It functions not only as a transport artery but also as a cultural space with educational institutions, residential buildings, and commercial establishments.
Architects and Style
The residential building on the corner with present-day Mentsynskoho Street was constructed in 1907 according to the design of the prominent Lviv architect Tadeusz Obmiński. The building is an outstanding example of ornamental Secession (Art Nouveau) in Lviv. The architectural concept features a richly decorated façade typical of the early 20th-century Secession style.
Who Was the Owner?
The client and original owner of the building was engineer Jan Stromenger. His Commercial House operated on the ground floor, while the upper floors were leased as private apartments.
What Does the Building Look Like?
This is a three-story corner building that helps define the shape of the square at the intersection with Mentsynskoho Street. The façade is adorned with refined stucco details typical of ornamental Secession: stylized floral elements, geometric patterns, and delicate window and balcony moldings. A commemorative plaque in honor of Franciszek Smolka remains at the second-floor level.
Interesting Facts
-
Before the current building, the site was occupied by a Neoclassical townhouse built in 1840 by Wilhelm Schmid for pharmacist Petro Mikoliasz.
-
Until 1899, Polish politician Franciszek Smolka — President of the Austro-Hungarian Parliament — lived in the old building.
-
In the early 20th century, the new building housed a bookstore and stationery warehouse operated by Adolf Blatt.
-
During the interwar period, the building served as the Chamber of Labor.
-
In 1941, it temporarily housed the official residence of the Ukrainian State Administration (UDA) led by Yaroslav Stetsko.
What’s There Now?
As of 2025, building No. 4 retains its residential function. The ground floor accommodates commercial premises, including bank branches. The building is listed in the Register of Local Architectural Monuments.
Sources:
-
Architecture of Lviv: Time and Styles. 13th–21st Centuries / M. Bevz, Yu. Biryulov, Yu. Bohdanova, V. Didyk, U. Ivanochko, T. Klymenyuk, et al.
-
Hromov, S. The Names of Outstanding People in the Streets of Lviv. — Lviv: NVF “Ukrainski Tekhnolohii”, 2001.
-
Ilko Lemko, V. Mykhalyk, H. Behliarov. Henerala Hryhorenka Square // 1243 Streets of Lviv (1939–2009). — Lviv: Apriori, 2009.
-
Melnyk, I. The Streets of Lviv. — Kharkiv: Folio, 2017.