Formation of the Street
Shevchenka Avenue in Lviv, formerly known as Akademichna Street, is one of the city’s main arteries. Its history dates back to the 16th century, when the area was part of the Halytske suburb. In 1871, the street was renamed Akademichna due to its proximity to Lviv University. In 1955, it received its current name in honor of Taras Shevchenko. The avenue is known for its architectural diversity, which includes buildings in the styles of Art Nouveau, Neoclassicism, and Modernism.
Rudanskoho Street, which intersects Shevchenka Avenue, was developed in the early 20th century as part of the continued urban expansion behind the De Russie Hotel. In 1900, it was named after the Polish writer Klementyna Tańska. In 1946, it was renamed in honor of the Ukrainian poet Stepan Rudanskyi. This short, 75-meter-long pedestrian street connects Shevchenka Avenue with Voronoho Street.
Builders and Styles
Between 1901 and 1939, the building housed the “Polish Bookstore” of Bernard Poloniecki. During the Soviet era, a café operated here and became a popular meeting spot for Lviv musicians. The building is a vivid example of Lviv Art Nouveau with elements of Neo-Gothic. Its façade is adorned with oriels, balconies of various shapes, turrets with decorative gables, and mascarons.
What Does the Building Look Like?
The building has a V-shaped layout and three façades with oriels and corner turrets. The façades are richly decorated with stucco, mascarons, and friezes featuring sunflowers, sculpted by Petro Harasymovych. The interior layout follows a corridor-enfilade type, with two apartments on each floor. Reinforced concrete was used in its construction — a novelty for that period.
What Is There Now?
Today, the building remains both residential and commercial.