The Tobak-Kobakov Apartment Building

This striking 6-story building, designed in the Art Nouveau style, is located in the heart of the city at Mykolaivska Street, 18.

Photo: Ivan Ponomarenko, 2018

It was designed by architect Boris Kornienko and built in 1912 for the merchant Srul Moshkovich Tobak-Kobakov.

Photo: Ivan Ponomarenko, 2018

Until recently, the building’s facade was in a poor state, but it has since been renovated.

Google Street View, 2015

The modern glazing in the stairwell is certainly a bit jarring to the eye—it used to be even more latticed, and the frames were dark.

Photo: Ivan Ponomarenko, 2018

Architect Boris Kornienko was a master of many styles, and every house he designed turned out to be unique.

Photo: Ivan Ponomarenko, 2018

On the facade, you can see lion-shaped mascaron decorations.

Photo: Ivan Ponomarenko, 2018

The building’s staircase is notable for its separate “balcony” in the bay window. It is also finished with Mettlach tiles; perhaps this balcony was designed specifically for flowers. When the exterior windows of the staircase were replaced, the original interior glazing was preserved.

Photo: Ivan Ponomarenko, 2019

The original stair railings have also been preserved.

Photo: Ivan Ponomarenko, 2019

Photo: Ivan Ponomarenko, 2019

Photo: Ivan Ponomarenko, 2019

The antique doors look like chocolate bars,

Photo: Ivan Ponomarenko, 2019

Photo: Ivan Ponomarenko, 2018