Formation of the Street
Iryna Kalynets Street is a small but historically significant street located in the Novyi Svit neighborhood in Lviv’s Frankivskyi District. It began to take shape in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as part of an organized suburban expansion beyond the traditional city core. The area had previously been occupied by gardens and estates, later developing into a residential quarter with planned urban blocks.
From the 1860s to 1880s, Novyi Svit transformed into a modern residential area featuring villas, tenement houses, and public infrastructure. The street initially had no formal name and served as a service lane connecting nearby plots. It was later named after Karl Bryullov, a Russian Romantic painter — a common example of imperial naming practices.
In 2022, as part of Ukraine’s national decolonization initiative, the street was renamed after Iryna Kalynets — a Ukrainian poet, philologist, and human rights activist who resisted Soviet rule in the 1970s–1980s. The renaming marked a cultural shift towards honoring national figures who shaped Ukraine’s identity and fought for its freedom.
Today, the street retains a calm, residential character, composed mainly of Soviet-era apartment blocks. It reflects the mid-20th century modernist approach to urban development.
Builders and Styles
The building at No. 8 was constructed in the 1905s. Its architecture prioritizes efficiency and simplicity: concrete structure, minimalistic facades, and standardized floor plans. Typical features include corridor-based apartment layouts and uniform balconies.
Who Was the Owner?
Initially, the building was part of the state-owned housing fund, assigned to employees of government institutions. During the housing privatization wave of the 1990s, apartments became privately owned. Today, it is managed by either a homeowners’ association or a municipal housing office.
What Does the Building Look Like?
This is a five-story apartment block with a flat roof and rectangular footprint. The façade is plastered and partially renovated, balconies have metal railings, some are enclosed. The overall condition is functional, with signs of minor maintenance and updates.
Interesting Facts
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The street renaming from Bryullov to Kalynets was part of a broader effort to reclaim urban space from colonial narratives.
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Iryna Kalynets was a renowned Ukrainian dissident, imprisoned in 1972 for her activism.
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The street lies near a historic tram line and one of the educational buildings of Lviv Polytechnic.
What Is There Now?
Today, the building remains a functioning residential property. Some apartments are still used as private homes, while others have been converted into office or service spaces. It continues to serve the everyday needs of Lviv’s residents.
Bibliography
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Architecture of Lviv: Time and Styles. 13th–21st centuries. — Lviv: Center of Europe, 2008.
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Streets of Lviv: A Handbook. — Lviv: Litopys, 2001.
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Iryna Kalynets: Light of the Spirit. — Lviv: UCU Press, 2017.
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Lviv: Historical Suburbs. — Lviv, 2012.
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Urban Toponymy of Lviv Post-2022. — City Institute Research Report.