Vul. Kniazia Romana, 9 – residential building ID: 2209

A five-story residential building constructed in 1935 according to the design of engineer Michał Kolbuszowski on the foundations of a demolished late nineteenth-century townhouse. The building is a characteristic example of Functionalism in Lviv, and since 1985, it has been designated as an Architectural monument of local significance (Protection No. 18-M).

Story

The building was erected by the site's owner, engineer Michał Kolbuszowski, according to his own design, which was submitted to the magistrate for review in 1933. A construction permit was initially denied because the proposed structure did not correspond with the surrounding development.

In response, Kolbuszowski commenced work on the building site without authorization. In 1934, to prevent further unauthorized construction, the magistrate stationed a city guard in front of the plot, whose salary was exacted from the owner of the new construction. Despite the lack of a permit, the erection of the building was completed in May 1935.

Construction was carried out on the foundations of an old residential tenement built in the final third of the nineteenth century, parts of whose walls were integrated into the new structure.

After the year 2000, a sixth story was added above the southern wing.

The building is an Architectural and urban planning monument of local significance, included in the register pursuant to the decision of the Lviv Regional Executive Committee session No. 381 dated July 5, 1985, protection No. 18-M (Lv).

Architecture

The building is located on a city block bounded by the triangle of Kniazia Romana, Shukhevycha, and Franka streets, situated south of the historical city center. The building mass, rectangular in floor plan with two small rear wings, is integrated into a continuous terraced street front. The alignment of the façade follows the regulatory line.

The building is five stories tall, constructed of brick with reinforced concrete structural elements, and plastered. Alabaster panels were utilized in the lining of the entrance gate and the stairwell.

The principal elevation of the building is symmetrical and features seven window axes, accented by triangular bay windows. The axis of symmetry is anchored by an entrance gate-driveway and an attic wall. Compositionally, the façade wall is divided into two tiers: the ground floor below, containing shop windows and an entrance gate, and the upper section, featuring the rectangular window niches of the apartments. The internal layout is section-based.

An additional stairwell is arranged in the southern wing of the building facing the courtyard, where the sixth story was also added. The building was originally equipped with an elevator and a steam heating system.

Building No. 7 on Kniazia Romana Street clearly demonstrates the widespread influence of Functionalist architecture in pre-war Lviv.

People

Michał Kolbuszowski –– engineer and owner of the building.

Sources