Formation of the Street
Kotliarevskyi Street in Lviv, located in the Frankivskyi district, has a rich history and architectural heritage. Originally, it was named “Na Villakh” (“At the Villas”), reflecting the nature of its development — villas surrounded by gardens. In 1895, the street was renamed in honor of Ludwik Nabielak, a Polish poet and political figure. During the German occupation, starting in May 1942, it was renamed “Schillergasse” after the German poet Friedrich Schiller. In July 1944, the name Nabielak was restored, and since 1946, the street has borne the name of Ivan Kotliarevskyi, the prominent Ukrainian writer and poet.
Architects and Styles
This private residential building was constructed in 1905–1906 according to a design by builder Edmund Żychowicz. The villa is located on a corner plot and is adjoined to the end wall of the neighboring building at No. 29. It is distinguished by a dynamic architectural composition, shaped by small projecting risalits, gables and a turret, windows of various shapes, and an original triangular floor plan. The northern corner section of the house, which apparently served as an artist’s studio, is supported by reinforced concrete pylons. The stairwell occupies the western corner part of the structure. Stylistically, the building represents the Secession (Art Nouveau) movement.
Interesting Facts
The villa has a fascinating history. From 1927 until the beginning of World War II, it housed the Soviet consulate. On October 21, 1933, Mykola Lemyk, a member of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN), attempted an assassination there to draw international attention to the Holodomor in Ukraine.
Sources:
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Biryulov, Yu. “Zakharevychy — tvorchi stolychnoho Lvova” (Lviv: Tsentr Yevropy, 2010).
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Dorosz, A. Yu. “Prokhody ne bez zadovolennia i z moralliu. Putivnyk” (Lviv, 2008), pp. 111–113.
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Melnyk, B. V. “Dovidnyk pereimenuvan vulyts i ploshch Lvova” (Lviv: Svit, 2001).