Residential Building

Formation of the Street

Horska Street is located in the Zaliznychnyi (Railway) District of Lviv, near the city’s main railway station. Its formation is closely tied to the development of the Privozalnyi (Near-Railway) area, which began to grow actively after the launch of the Lviv–Przemyśl railway connection in 1861. The emergence of the railway turned this area into a key transportation hub, leading to rapid urbanization and a sharp increase in residential construction.

At the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, this district became a typical urban neighborhood with tenement houses for railway workers, clerks, and craftsmen. The proximity to the station and industrial enterprises encouraged the development of a dense urban grid.

Throughout its history, the street underwent several name changes, reflecting political shifts. Its current name honors Alla Horska, a Ukrainian artist, dissident, and civic activist of the 1960s who was murdered in 1970 under mysterious circumstances. The renaming was part of Ukraine’s decommunization process and aimed to restore memory to nationally significant figures. Today, Horska Street remains part of a historically important urban environment, reflecting Lviv’s industrial expansion and multicultural past.

Architects and Styles

Building No. 9 on Horska Street is a three-story residential tenement constructed in the early 20th century. The architectural style of the building reflects the Secession (Art Nouveau) trends that were popular in Lviv during that period. Typical elements include an asymmetrical façade, floral stucco ornamentation, and balconies with wrought-iron railings. The use of decorative motifs and attention to façade detailing demonstrate the aesthetic aspirations of early 20th-century Lviv.

Who Was the Owner?

Historical records regarding the original owner(s) of Building No. 9 are limited. It is likely that during the interwar period, the building functioned as a tenement house with apartments on the upper floors and small shops or workshops on the ground floor. During the Soviet era, the building may have hosted residential apartments and local administrative or institutional premises. Today, it is used for both residential and office purposes.

What Does the Building Look Like?

The building has three stories and a relatively symmetrical façade. Windows are framed with decorative moldings, and the balconies are protected by wrought-iron railings. The façade is painted in light tones, contributing to its overall elegant and harmonious appearance. Despite its relatively modest scale, the building maintains architectural features that are consistent with Lviv’s Secessionist legacy.

Interesting Facts

The building is located in the Privozalnyi district, an area that played a crucial role in Lviv’s industrial and transportation history.
In 1895, the first tram line in Lviv passed through this district, stimulating even greater development.
The street’s current name honors Alla Horska, a prominent Ukrainian artist and dissident, and reflects Ukraine’s broader effort to reclaim historical memory and national identity.
The building is part of a historically significant block that retains the character of early 20th-century working-class housing.

What Is There Now?

Today, Building No. 9 on Horska Street functions as a mixed-use property. The ground floor houses office spaces or small businesses, while the upper floors are used as residential apartments. It continues to serve the community while preserving its historical and architectural heritage.

Bibliography

Architecture of Lviv: Time and Styles. XIII–XXI Centuries / Ed. by M. Bevz, Yu. Biryulov et al. — Lviv: Center of Europe, 2008.
Biryulov, Yu. Lviv: Architecture of the Late 19th – Early 20th Century. — Lviv: Center of Europe, 2010.
Lemko, I., Mykhalyk, V. 1243 Streets of Lviv (1939–2009). — Lviv: Apriori, 2009.
Lewicki, J. Between Tradition and Modernity: Architecture of Lviv 1893–1918. — Warsaw: Neriton, 2005.
Address Book of the Royal Capital City of Lviv, 1932. — Lviv: Mutual Aid Society Publishing, 1932.