Formation of the Street
Hrytsko Chubai Street, known as Domagalichiv Street until 1944 and later renamed Akademika Pavlova during the Soviet period, has borne the name of Ukrainian poet Hrytsko Chubai since 2022. It developed as part of a systematic residential expansion on the outskirts of central Lviv at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The area belonged to the historical Pohulianka suburb, which bordered the Yaniv suburb and the current Lychakiv and Halytskyi districts. In the late 19th century, the city authorities actively purchased private land from large estate owners, divided them into plots, and sold them for development—primarily to new urban investors constructing income-generating tenement houses. The street gained a regular layout, though short in length, and featured distinct perimeter development. It was built up within a narrow timeframe—roughly a single decade—giving it stylistic unity. A defining feature of the street is the prevalence of Viennese ornamental Art Nouveau architecture, with ceramic decorations, plant motifs, friezes, and stained glass. Notable architects and workshops of Lviv, such as Ivan Levynskyi, Tadeusz Obmiński, and others from Levynskyi’s firm, contributed to its development. Thanks to this combination of traditional urban planning and modern forms, the street retains a unique early 20th-century atmosphere.
About the Building at 4 Hrytska Chubaya Street
Builders and Styles
The building at 4 Hrytska Chubaya Street was erected in 1906, designed by architect Tadeusz Obmiński in cooperation with Ivan Levynskyi’s architectural and construction firm. It is a four-story income-generating tenement executed in the ornamental Art Nouveau style. The facade is asymmetrical, featuring ceramic decorations, relief stucco, plant motifs, segmented bay windows, and balconies with wrought-iron railings. One of the architectural highlights of the house is a series of decorative ceramic panels in shades of turquoise, mustard, and brown—typical of Levynskyi’s workshop. The entrance is designed as an arched portal, and the staircase is illuminated by a stained-glass window, part of the original design.
Who was the Owner?
The building was likely commissioned by a member of the urban middle class or a construction syndicate investing in rental housing. Before World War II, the tenants were primarily educated professionals—clerks, teachers, doctors, and lawyers. Under Soviet rule, the building was nationalized, and after Ukraine’s independence, most apartments were privatized.
What Does the Building Look Like?
The building’s facade stands out due to its asymmetry, presence of risalits and bay windows, ceramic inserts, Art Nouveau stucco, and wrought-iron balconies. The windows are adorned with pediments and decorative frames. The interiors likely preserve authentic terrazzo flooring, wooden doors with transoms, stained-glass elements, and original stair railings.
Interesting Facts
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This is one of the most decorative buildings on the street, with a well-preserved Art Nouveau facade.
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It represents an early independent work by Obmiński, apart from his collaborations with architect Zachariewicz.
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The ornamental style showcases the blend of Levynskyi’s artisanal craftsmanship and Obmiński’s expressive Art Nouveau plasticity.
What Is There Now?
The building remains residential, with some apartments privatized.