Formation of the Street
René Descartes Street is located in Lviv’s Zaliznychnyi District, within the historical area of Pryvokzalna. It received its current name in 1946 in honor of René Descartes — the French philosopher, mathematician, and founder of rationalist thought. However, the street’s origins trace back to the second half of the 19th century.
Initially, it was laid out as part of new urban development following the opening of the railway station in 1861. By the 1890s, the area was still sparsely populated and largely industrial. In 1891, the street was added to the city plan as “New Road,” and in 1893 it was renamed “Kostopalni Side Street” after a nearby factory that processed animal bones into chemicals such as saltpeter.
In 1894, the street was renamed in honor of Jan Dekert — a Polish priest and civic figure. In 1946, the Soviet authorities renamed it once more, this time after René Descartes.
Most of the street’s buildings were constructed in the early 20th century, typically two- and three-story townhouses in Historicist and Art Nouveau styles. Many of these buildings remain intact, making Dekarta Street a representative example of Lviv’s early suburban housing. In 2018, the street was converted to one-way traffic to improve flow and safety, but it has retained its character as a quiet residential lane.
Builders and Styles
Building No. 17 is a two-story brick townhouse built in the 1910s. The architectural style combines late Art Nouveau with elements of Neoclassicism. The façade features symmetrical windows, a molded cornice, and modest stucco decorations. The central entrance is framed in stone, and the stairwell is located behind the entryway.
Who Was the Owner?
While the name of the original owner has not been preserved, the building was most likely a privately owned income property, intended for rental use. During the interwar period, it was occupied by railway workers, craftsmen, and lower-level office staff — a typical social profile for this district of Lviv.
What Does the Building Look Like?
The two-story structure has a plastered façade with symmetrical window placement and a traditional pitched roof with tile covering. The central axis is highlighted by a stone-framed entrance and understated decorative features such as stucco window trims and a horizontal cornice. The building’s courtyard once contained auxiliary structures that no longer exist.
Interesting Facts
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The street developed in parallel with the expansion of Lviv’s railway infrastructure.
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Its original name — “Kostopalni Side” — reflects the unusual local industry of animal bone processing.
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In the 1930s, the building had a woodshed and outbuilding in the yard, which have since disappeared.
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Although named after a philosopher, the street’s original purpose was to provide modest housing for the city’s working class.
What Is There Now?
Today, Building No. 17 functions as a residential property. The apartments have been privatized, and the façade remains well-preserved. The courtyard includes some newer additions for utility purposes. The tenants are primarily families, with some units adapted for home-based offices or workshops. The street continues to serve as a quiet part of the Pryvokzalna district.
Bibliography
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Architecture of Lviv: Time and Styles. 13th–21st Centuries — Lviv: Center of Europe, 2008.
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Biryulov, Yu. Lviv: Architecture of the Late 19th – Early 20th Century — Lviv: Center of Europe, 2010.
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Lemko, I., Mykhalyk, V. 1243 Streets of Lviv (1939–2009) — Lviv: Apriori, 2009.
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Lewicki, J. Between Tradition and Modernity: Architecture of Lviv 1893–1918 — Warsaw: Neriton, 2005.
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Universal Encyclopedia of Lviv / Ed. A. Kozytskyi — Lviv: Litopys, 2008–2010.