House of O. Wasser

Street Formation

Kostyushka Street is located in the central part of Lviv, near Svobody Avenue and Ivan Franko Park. Its formation began in the mid-19th century on land previously used for city fields and gardens. In 1871, the street was named after Polish national hero Tadeusz Kościuszko. The street’s development occurred mainly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, featuring multi-apartment buildings in styles such as historicism, Art Nouveau, and neoclassicism. It became an important artery connecting the city center with new residential neighborhoods.​

Builders and Styles

Building No. 6 was constructed in 1909–1910, designed by architect Alfred Zachariewicz in collaboration with the construction firm of Józef Sosnowski. The architectural style combines elements of early 20th-century neoclassicism with motifs of late Art Nouveau. It is one of the finest examples of elite Lviv tenement houses from that period.​

Who Was the Owner?

In the early 20th century, the property was owned by renowned Lviv lawyer Osia Wasser. In 1909, he and his wife, Fryderyka, initiated the construction of a new four-story building. As of 2025, the building remains residential, with privately owned apartments.

What Does the Building Look Like?

The building is situated on a narrow, irregularly shaped plot. The facade features stucco decorations, a relief frieze, and wrought-iron balcony railings. The interior layout is typical for multi-apartment buildings of that era – corridor-style with rooms on one side.​

Interesting Facts

• The building is a vivid example of the combination of neoclassicism and Art Nouveau in early 20th-century Lviv architecture.

• Architect Alfred Zachariewicz was one of Lviv’s leading architects of the time, known for his Art Nouveau projects.

What Is Here Now?

Today, building No. 6 on Kostyushka Street remains residential. The ground floor houses commercial premises, including a café and a travel agency. The building retains its architectural value and is part of Lviv’s historical environment.​

List of Literature

1. State Archive of the Lviv Region, fund 2/1/5177.

2. Zhuk I. “Architecture of Lviv at the End of the 19th – Beginning of the 20th Century,” Lviv, 1996.

3. Pshyk V. “Kastelivka, Novyi Svit, Frantsivka,” Lviv, 2009.

4. “Architecture of Lviv: Time and Styles,” Lviv, 2008.

5. Interactive Lviv. Center for Urban History of East Central Europe.