Formation of the Street
Ivan Franko Street is one of the oldest and most prestigious thoroughfares in Lviv, stretching from Soborna Square to the Novyi Lviv district. In its current form, it was established in 1950 by merging several streets: Panska, Chernyshchevskoho, Timiryazeva, and Poninskogo. Prior to this, the street had various names: Zbozhova (Getreidegasse), Panska, Piłsudskiego, Zyblikiewicza, Chernyshchevskoho, and others. The street’s development began in the late 19th century when the Sofiyivka area started to be actively built up with villas and tenement houses. In 1895, the street was named after philanthropist Wincenty Poninski. During the Nazi occupation, it was called Leuthenstrasse. In 1950, the street was named after Ivan Franko.
Builders and Styles
The building at 7 Ivan Franko Street was constructed in 1874 as a three-story tenement house. In 1911–1912, it was remodeled in the style of rational Secession with elements of Neoclassicism, based on designs by architects Władysław Rauch and Bronisław Bauer. The facade is topped with a mansard roof fronton and a square tower with a spire. The entrance doors are crafted in the Art Deco style.
Who Was the Owner?
Historical data about the original owner of the building is unavailable. During the interwar period, the building housed the Lviv Music Institute. Currently, the building is privately owned and functions as a residential building.
What Does the Building Look Like?
The building at 7 Ivan Franko Street is a three-story tenement house with an attic and a square tower with a spire. The facade is adorned with stucco, balconies with wrought-iron railings, and decorative elements. The ground floor houses commercial premises, while the upper floors contain residential apartments.
Interesting Facts
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During the interwar period, the building housed the Lviv Music Institute.
What Is There Now?
Currently, the building at 7 Ivan Franko Street is used as a residential house. The ground floor houses commercial premises.
Bibliography
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Melnyk I. V. “Streets of Lviv”
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Biryulov Yu. “Architecture of Lviv: Time and Styles. 13th–21st Centuries”
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“Lviv: A Guidebook for the Visitor”