Formation of the Street
Dmytra Dontsova Street is located in the Lychakivskyi district of Lviv, connecting Lychakivska and Pekarska Streets. It was laid out in 1913 and was initially named Hlynanska, as it led toward the town of Hlyniany. In 1933, the street was renamed after Polish politician Tadeusz Hołówko. During the German occupation, it was renamed Ridna Shkola-Gasse. In July 1944, the name Hołówko was reinstated, but in December of the same year, it was changed to Kotovsky Street, after the Soviet commander Hryhoriy Kotovsky. In 1992, it received its current name in honor of Dmytro Dontsov — a Ukrainian publicist, philosopher, and the founder of the theory of integral nationalism.
The street’s development features a high degree of architectural coherence, as many buildings were designed by renowned architects of the early 20th century. Construction began in 1909 and occurred in two main phases. By 1911, the odd-numbered side had been built up in the eclectic style, followed by development on the even-numbered side, where late Secession (Art Nouveau) architecture predominates.
Architects and Styles
Building No. 4 is a three-story tenement constructed in 1909–1910 by architects Roman Feliński and Ferdinand Kassler. The project was commissioned by one of Lviv’s wealthiest property owners, Solomon Rohatyn, and built by the firm of Michał Ulam. In 1911, Ferdinand Kassler opened his own architectural bureau within this very building.
The building exemplifies late Secession style with elements of Neoclassicism. Its façade is adorned with decorative stucco, arched windows, and wrought-iron balconies. Notably, it incorporated reinforced concrete — a technological innovation at the time.
Who Was the Owner?
The original owner was Solomon Rohatyn, a prominent Lviv entrepreneur and property investor. During the interwar period, the building functioned as a rental tenement with commercial premises on the ground floor and apartments above. In the Soviet era, the building may have housed state institutions or remained purely residential. Today, it contains both apartments and office spaces.
What Does the Building Look Like?
The structure is three stories tall with a symmetrical façade. The windows are framed with decorative moldings, and the balconies feature wrought-iron railings. The building is painted in light tones, giving it an elegant appearance. It has retained many of its original architectural details, which enhance its historic character.
Interesting Facts
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Building No. 4 is listed as a monument of local architectural significance.
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Architect Ferdinand Kassler, one of the designers, was the first in Lviv to use reinforced concrete in construction.
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In 1911, Kassler opened his architectural bureau in this very building.
What Is There Now?
Today, 4 Dmytra Dontsova Street serves both residential and commercial functions. The ground floor houses offices, while the upper floors contain apartments. The building has retained its historical architecture and is part of Lviv’s rich cultural heritage.
Bibliography
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Architecture of Lviv: Time and Styles. XIII–XXI centuries / Ed. by M. Bevz, Yu. Biryulov et al. — 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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Address Book of the Royal Capital City of Lviv, 1932. — Lviv: Mutual Aid Society Publishing, 1932.