Formation of the Street
Petra Doroshenka Street is one of Lviv’s oldest urban arteries, historically linking the city center with the suburban district of Kastelivka. It was first mentioned in the 15th century as a road leading to the estate of Erasmus Sixtus, a renowned physician and burgomaster of Lviv. For several centuries, the street bore the name Sykstuska.
Its intensive development began in the mid-19th century, following the demolition of the city walls and the creation of new transportation routes. In 1894, Lviv’s first electric tram line was laid along this street, solidifying its importance as a central thoroughfare. During this time, both sides of the street were built up with tenement houses combining residential and commercial uses.
Before World War II, the street was one of Lviv’s busiest commercial zones. Over time, it bore various names: Sykstuska, Defense of Lviv Street, October Street. It received its current name, honoring Hetman Petro Doroshenko, in 1992. Today, the street is recognized for its architectural ensemble of Art Nouveau and early functionalism.
Builders and Styles
Building No. 9 was constructed between 1899 and 1900 based on a design by architect Alfred Zachariewicz, commissioned by Herman Bak. It is one of the first buildings in Lviv designed in the Art Nouveau style. In 1927, a fourth floor was added by the new owner, Edmund Stromenger, adapting the structure to contemporary residential needs. The architecture combines decorative Art Nouveau elements with a rational layout.
Who Was the Owner?
The original owner was Herman Bak, who built the house as an income property. During the interwar period, it was owned by entrepreneur Edmund Stromenger, who lived there until 1939. The ground floor housed various commercial enterprises and a real estate office.
What Does the Building Look Like?
The four-story building has a symmetrical façade with commercial premises on the ground floor. The façade features Art Nouveau stucco work: garlands, cartouches, and decorative window ornaments. The windows on the second floor are highlighted with light cornices. The fourth-floor addition maintained architectural balance and quality.
Interesting Facts
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The ground floor once housed the “Maszynopol” typewriter shop, the “Raka” jewelry store, and Wojtowicz’s real estate office.
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During the Soviet era, the ground floor was occupied by a fountain pen repair and refill workshop.
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The building is a prime example of early Lviv Art Nouveau, which later evolved into functionalist forms.
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Architect Alfred Zachariewicz also designed Lviv’s main railway station and several prominent townhouses in the city center.
What Is There Now?
Today, Building No. 9 serves both residential and commercial purposes. Shops and offices operate on the ground floor, while apartments occupy the upper levels. The façade has been restored several times and remains in good condition. The building is part of the protected historical zone of central Lviv.
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.