Formation of the Street
Yefremova Street, located in Lviv’s Frankivskyi District, is a key artery of the historical Novyi Svit neighborhood. It originated in the second half of the 19th century as part of the city’s westward expansion beyond the medieval center.
Originally named Shtandovska na Baikakh in 1863, the name referred to its location among the vineyards and craftsman settlements of Baiky. In 1871, it was renamed Murarska Street, reflecting the large number of stonemasons and builders living in the area.
In 1933, it became Monczynski Street after Polish officer Czesław Monczynski. During the German occupation, it was known as Schleswigergasse. In 1946, the Soviet authorities renamed it Karl Marx Street, and in 1992 it received its current name, honoring Ukrainian intellectual and public figure Serhiy Yefremov.
Most buildings along the street were erected between the 1890s and 1930s, including tenement houses and modern villas in styles ranging from Secession and neo-Romanticism to Polish functionalism. Yefremova was among the first streets in the district to receive pavement, electricity, and water supply before World War I. It became a showcase of early 20th-century urban development in Lviv.
Builders and Styles
The building at 27 Yefremova Street is a typical example of early 20th-century Lviv Secession architecture. It is attributed to architect A. Bohokhvalskyi. The façade is asymmetrical, featuring ornamental stucco, oriels, wrought-iron balconies, and large decorative windows. It follows a typical tenement layout: front staircase, internal courtyard, and multi-room apartments.
Who Was the Owner?
Historical records do not identify the original owner, but similar buildings in this area were often commissioned by small entrepreneurs or members of the urban intelligentsia as income-generating property for rental purposes.
What Does the Building Look Like?
This is a three-story plastered brick building with a richly decorated Secessionist façade. The central part features a gabled crown, while the balconies on the second floor have ornate wrought-iron railings. Windows are large with geometric framing. The courtyard retains authentic elements such as iron grilles, original entrance details, and old wooden doors.
Interesting Facts
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The street was part of the early electric tram routes connecting the city center with the railway zone.
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In the 1930s, a private Jewish school operated near house No. 27.
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The surrounding Novyi Svit neighborhood was home to many teachers, doctors, lawyers, and artists — forming an educated and cultured suburb of Lviv.
What Is There Now?
Today, the building is used as a residential property, with some ground-floor spaces converted into offices or small businesses. It retains its historic appearance and contributes to the architectural fabric of Yefremova Street.
Bibliography
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Architecture of Lviv: Time and Styles. 13th–21st centuries. — Lviv: Center of Europe, 2008.
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Streets of Lviv: A Handbook. — Lviv: Litopys, 2001.
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Lviv: Historical Suburbs. — Lviv, 2012.
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Yefremova Street: Urban Media Archive. — Center for Urban History.
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Photo Album “Lviv in the Style of Modernism”. — Lviv: Apriori, 2015.