House of Hilbricht

Formation of the Square

Markiyan Shashkevych Square developed in the early twentieth century during the intensive urban expansion of the area surrounding the Church of St. Mary Magdalene. It was created after former open land was divided into building plots, and most of its apartment houses were erected between 1908 and 1912. The development resulted in a harmonious ensemble of Lviv Art Nouveau architecture, considered one of the city’s finest architectural compositions of the period.

Who Was the Owner?

Building No. 6, known as the Hilbricht House, was constructed in 1908–1909 as an income-producing apartment building for the Hilbricht family. The project was designed by Ivan Levynskyi, one of Lviv’s most influential architects and builders. The building is listed as a local architectural monument and forms an integral part of the historic ensemble of Markiyan Shashkevych Square.

What Does the Building Look Like?

The building is a four-storey apartment house designed in the Lviv Art Nouveau style. Its façade is characterized by a restrained yet elegant composition, with vertically accentuated projections, flowing lines, and decorative plasterwork featuring stylized floral motifs. Wrought-iron balcony railings, ornamental details, and generously sized windows further emphasize its refined architectural character. Together with the neighbouring buildings, it contributes to the unified appearance of the square while maintaining its own distinctive decorative identity.

Interesting Facts

• The Hilbricht House is part of one of the best-preserved ensembles of early twentieth-century Art Nouveau architecture in Lviv.
• It was designed by Ivan Levynskyi, whose architectural practice played a defining role in shaping the city’s Art Nouveau heritage.
• Together with the surrounding buildings, it forms a carefully planned architectural composition in which each house has unique decorative features while contributing to a harmonious urban ensemble.

What Is Here Today?

The building continues to serve its original residential function as an apartment house. It remains a protected local architectural monument and an important element of the historic streetscape of Markiyan Shashkevych Square, preserving its authentic early twentieth-century appearance.