Formation of the Street
Sichovykh Striltsiv Street, located in the central part of Lviv, has a rich history. In 1842, it was laid out among gardens owned by botanist Józef Meyer and was named Mayerivka. In 1885, the street was renamed in honor of the Constitution of May 3, 1791 — Tretia Maja. During Soviet rule, the name changed several times: 17 Veresnia, 29 Junistrasse, and again Tretia Maja. In 1991, the street was given its historical name — Sichovykh Striltsiv, in honor of the Ukrainian Sich Riflemen who defended the city’s central part from Polish forces in November 1918.
Due to its advantageous location and proximity to the city center, the street became a hub for financial institutions, earning the unofficial name “Lviv’s Wall Street.”
About the Building
Builders and Styles
Building No. 12 on Sichovykh Striltsiv Street was constructed in 1912–1913, designed by Polish architect Roman Feliński. The building is executed in the Art Nouveau style, combining stucco decorations and various mascarons (plaster images of faces and masks).
Sculptural figures of medieval knights, created by sculptor Tadeusz Błotnicki, adorn the corner of the tenement.
Who Was the Owner?
Since the late 19th century, the plot where building No. 12 now stands belonged to the prominent Lviv family of Armenian descent, the Romashkans.
What Does the Building Look Like?
The building has five floors with an attic; the facade is decorated with stucco and mascarons. Sculptural figures of medieval knights are located on the corner. The building is a vivid example of the Art Nouveau style in Lviv’s architecture.
Interesting Facts
-
The left wing of the tenement housed upscale restaurants: initially “Renaissance,” later “Louvre” and “Ritz.”
-
After the Soviet authorities took over, the restaurant was closed, and a dietary canteen No. 9 was opened in its place, later renamed “Veselka.”
-
In 1992, a scene from the feature film “The Price of a Head” directed by M. Ilinsky was filmed in the restaurant.
Currently, the first floor of the building houses the fast-food restaurant “Puzata Hata.”
Bibliography
-
Sichovykh Striltsiv St., 12 – Heritage Bureau
-
What Used to Be at the Site of the Modern “Puzata Hata”? — photo-lviv.in.ua
-
Fast Food or Historical Architectural Monument: What Did Lviv Choose? — tvoemisto.tv