Formation of the Street
Yevhena Konovaltsia Street in Lviv, located in the historic Novyi Svit district, has a rich and diverse history. Originally, starting in 1892, it was named 29 Listopada Street in honor of the Polish national uprising of 1830 against the Russian Empire. In 1940, it was renamed Engels Street, in tribute to Friedrich Engels, one of the founders of Marxism. During the German occupation, from May 1942 to July 1944, it was known as Germanenstrasse. After the return of Soviet rule, the street once again became Engels Street. In 1992, it received its current name in honor of Yevhen Konovalets, leader of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists and the first head of the OUN.
Initially, the street extended only as far as Bolotna Street (now Zalizniaka Street), but was later prolonged to reach the Lviv–Chernivtsi railway line. At the intersection with Na Baikakh Street (now Kyivska) and Vyshnevetskykh Street (now Rusovykh), a square was formed, known as “Five Corners.” Between 1900 and 1930, the street and surrounding areas were actively developed, featuring both rental apartment buildings and prestigious villas. At the far end of the street, the Franz brothers established a gypsum factory, and the area became known as Frantsivka.
In 1907, a tram line was constructed along the street, contributing to the further development of the district. Later, in the 1950s, near the turning loop of tram route No. 2, Kulparkivskyi Square (known during Soviet times as Geologists’ Square) was laid out, along with a platform for suburban train stops on the Lviv–Chernivtsi railway line.
Konovaltsia Street is notable for its architectural heritage. Among the most prominent buildings is the villa of Joanna Lorenz (1898–1899) at No. 21, designed by architect Władysław Rauh. Also noteworthy are buildings Nos. 1, 3, 5, and 7, built around 1910 in the rational Secession style, with elements of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture.
Builders and Styles
The building was constructed by the firm of Ivan Levynskyi according to a design by Tadeusz Obmiński in 1904–1905, in the Carpathian style. However, the most recent renovations have left very little of the original design intact.
What Does the Building Look Like?
Originally built in the Carpathian style, the building underwent several later renovations that significantly altered its appearance, leaving almost no original elements. A distinctive feature of the house is its intricate weathervane, which complements its architectural character.
Sources:
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Ihor Zhuk. “Tadeusz Obmiński – Architect and Educator.”
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“Architect Tadeusz Obmiński and the Scientific and Technical Library of Lviv Polytechnic National University.”
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“From Secession to Functionalism: Tadeusz Obmiński” on the Culture.pl portal.