Formation of the street
Viacheslava Chornovola Avenue developed in the early 20th century on the former riverbed of the Poltva River. Previously, the area was a marshy lowland between the city center and the district of Holosko. After the river was covered and the land stabilized, development began in the form of elegant boulevards inspired by Viennese urban planning. Between 1890 and 1910, rows of income-generating townhouses were built in the Historicist and Secession styles. During the Soviet era, the avenue was widened and modern housing blocks were added. In 1999, the avenue was renamed in honor of Vyacheslav Chornovil.
Builders and style
Building No. 11 was erected around 1905, likely by an architect affiliated with Ivan Levynskyi’s firm. It is a fine example of residential Secession: a three-story brick structure, symmetrical façade, metal balconies with curved railings, decorative cornices, and floral stucco motifs. Windows feature both arched and flat lintels. The original plasterwork has partially survived.
Who was the owner?
The first owner was a local burgher or entrepreneur, registered in city records as the landlord of several flats on this part of the avenue. The building was designed as an income house. It remained privately owned during the interwar years, was nationalized in the 1940s, and is now co-owned by the residents.
What does the building look like?
It is a three-story masonry structure with symmetrical layout, classic Secessionist proportions, and original plaster details. The central entrance retains a wooden gate with wrought-iron elements. Balconies rest on cast-iron supports. Some stucco and coloration have been lost, but key details remain. An arched passageway leads to the courtyard.
Interesting facts
Buildings No. 11 through 25 form a continuous Art Nouveau ensemble. In the interwar period, No. 17 housed a well-known hair salon, and No. 19 a photo-ceramic studio. No. 25 features late Secession masks, while No. 31 represents the “rational Secession” of the 1910s. Building No. 11 retains its original metal gate, window grilles, and sculptural elements typical of the 1900s.
What is there now?
Today, the building is used as a residential tenement with private flats on all floors. Some ground-floor spaces serve commercial purposes. The façade requires partial restoration, though main features are intact. The building lies within Lviv’s historical protection zone and contributes to the city’s architectural identity. It remains of interest to tourists and architectural historians.
References
- Lviv City Cadastral Archives (pre-1939 property records)
- “Architecture of Lviv: Time and Styles”
- Registry of Local Architectural Monuments