[Sergei]

Finally, I can announce a few projects planned for Lviv. The City Planning committee has yet to completely approve these projects, they're currently discussing them.
For background or additional information about these projects, you're welcome to ask me.

Sorry for the large renderings, I didn't have much time to resize them. At least you'll be able to see them in full detail.

First, the most exciting! :runaway: :cheer:

Reconstruction of Historical Complex "Vysokiy Zamok" (High Castle):

Restoration of Historical Complex "Citadel":

Construction of New Polish Consulate:

I have many more to come! Will post them in this thread. Hope you enjoyed!

 

[wholagun]

cool, thanks for the pics and the update.

 

[Sergei]

cool, thanks for the pics and the update.

No problem. I have more to come, but I'm really excited about the reconstruction of High Castle!

Only one part of the wall remains of the original, and I think it would be magnificent if they reconstructed it from original plans. It could be a huge attraction in Lviv, like Wawel in Krakow, with museums, ancient artifacts that they have discovered, etc.

 

[Pavlo]

Drop a link to this this thread in the Ukrainian Construction thread:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=213250

 

[Sergei]

Here are some more:

Fountain in front of Opera Theatre:

Reconstruction of city block, including new space for Mercedes-Benz:

Reconstruction, Renovation of Library, converting into additional university space:

Construction of "Ukraina" Stadium, for 29,000 seats:

Construction of Shopping Mall "Symmetry":

Construction of Entertainment Complex (Mall, Theatre, Business Centre):

 

[Taras Bulba]

Hmmm... I do not share your optimism about the reconstruction of "Wysokij Zamok". Such initiatives, especially in such a beautiful surrounding as "Wysokij Zamok" hill, are always a very delicate thing. The reconstruction has to be done very carefully and with a great concern about the used materials, otherwise you'll get a trashy Disneyland model. I've seen a couple of such attempts in my native Poland and Lithuania and I must say most of them are horrible (e.g the brand spanking new castle in Trakai). The only successful initiative off that kind, that I've seen, is the reconstruction of the Royal Castle in Warsaw, but it took 10 years, was very expensive and was done by absolutely the best specialists from the whole country.
I admit, I don't know how good the ukrainian architects and engineers are, but I doubt, if they are any better than avarage polish or lithuanian, so I'm afraid I must destroy your optimism...

 

[Sergei]

Hmmm... I do not share your optimism about the reconstruction of "Wysokij Zamok". Such initiatives, especially in such a beautiful surrounding as "Wysokij Zamok" hill, are always a very delicate thing. The reconstruction has to be done very carefully and with a great concern about the used materials, otherwise you'll get a trashy Disneyland model. I've seen a couple of such attempts in my native Poland and Lithuania and I must say most of them are horrible (e.g the brand spanking new castle in Trakai). The only successful initiative off that kind, that I've seen, is the reconstruction of the Royal Castle in Warsaw, but it took 10 years, was very expensive and was done by absolutely the best specialists from the whole country.
I admit, I don't know how good the ukrainian architects and engineers are, but I doubt, if they are any better than avarage polish or lithuanian, so I'm afraid I must destroy your optimism...

First of all, welcome to the board! Where are you from?

Don't worry, you're not destroying any optimism. The reconstruction is not even confirmed yet. It's still just a concept.

I completely agree with you though. It needs to be done tastefully, and in the highest quality possible. If they can't get adequate funding for it, I'd rather they scrap the concept, than create a piece of crap.

I'm taking this with a grain of salt, until we know further details, but I think the whole concept is very exciting. If done right, it could be a huge attraction in Lviv, and could drastically boost tourism.

 

[Pavlo]

There have been sayings that the reconstruction of Vysokuy Zamok is a bad idea since no actual document exists which depicts the design and form of the castle. Just trying to find out how true this is. If it is, then it's just a waste of money.

 

[Taras Bulba]

Hi Sergei (why not Serhij? I'm glad that you share my point of view.

I'm from Warsaw (Poland) but I travel to Ukraine quite often i trohy znaju ukrains'ku mowu

I'm dissapointed with the project of the new polish consulate in Lwiw. There are not many things that Poland can boast with, but we've got at least a dozen of architects, whose projects perhaps can't be named an "architectural revolution" but are off decent european quality. All countries in the world use the buildings of it's diplomatic agencies to create a desirable image of themselves, but Poles prefer to hire mr. Bulak from Siedlce and get a project,which is dull and boring. It's so typicall,that I don't even want to comment on this...

 

[Sergei]

There have been sayings that the reconstruction of Vysokuy Zamok is a bad idea since no actual document exists which depicts the design and form of the castle. Just trying to find out how true this is. If it is, then it's just a waste of money.

Do you know for a fact that plans of the original castle don't exist?

If they don't exist, I would also agree that it's not a good idea to reconstruct it. I would only support it, if it's a reconstruction based on the original.

 

[Pavlo]

Well I don't know for sure but that's what I heard people saying, that there are no actual bueprints/drawings which are accurate for the reconstruction of this. In fact I think many Lvivyany are against this project because of the monetary spendings. IMO Mayor Buniak is an idiot. He promised many citizens water 24/7 and yet they are doing it by the schedule which is from 6am to 12pm and from 6pm to 12am. In some places of Lviv water is turned off for days. When I was in Lviv this summer they turned off the water for 2 days!

So as far as for the reconstruction I wouldn't bet on the accuracy of the design. Simply put, just a waste of money.

 

[Sergei]

I'm dissapointed with the project of the new polish consulate in Lwiw. There are not many things that Poland can boast with, but we've got at least a dozen of architects, whose projects perhaps can't be named an "architectural revolution" but are off decent european quality. All countries in the world use the buildings of it's diplomatic agencies to create a desirable image of themselves, but Poles prefer to hire mr. Bulak from Siedlce and get a project,which is dull and boring. It's so typicall,that I don't even want to comment on this...

I can't say that the consulate is a grand, exciting project, but it's not typical for Lviv. Although it's nothing special, I'm just glad it's a touch of modernity in Lviv.

 

[Sergei]

Well I don't know for sure but that's what I heard people saying, that there are no actual bueprints/drawings which are accurate for the reconstruction of this. In fact I think many Lvivyany are against this project because of the monetary spendings. IMO Mayor Buniak is an idiot. He promised many citizens water 24/7 and yet they are doing it by the schedule which is from 6am to 12pm and from 6pm to 12am. In some places of Lviv water is turned off for days. When I was in Lviv this summer they turned off the water for 2 days!

So as far as for the reconstruction I wouldn't bet on the accuracy of the design. Simply put, just a waste of money.

I think we should wait for all the details, before making such harsh statements. But if what you says turns out to be true, and they don't have any original blueprints, I will be against it as well.

They should think up of something on High Castle Hill, if this doesn't turn out. It's rather bleak right now.

 

[Taras Bulba]

I'm taking this with a grain of salt, until we know further details, but I think the whole concept is very exciting. If done right, it could be a huge attraction in Lviv, and could drastically boost tourism.

Frankly speaking, I don't think Lwiw needs any extra tourism boosters, it's already one of the most beautiful cities in this part of Europe.The only thing Lwiw really needs to start making money is:

a) better infrastructure (cheap, decent hotels and hostels, tourist information etc.)

b) promotion, promotion, promotion, promotion, promotion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (people in the west still think, that Ukraine is some kind of a "wild east" country - exotic and perhaps tempting but visiting which might be hazardous)

Making Lviv an international tourist attraction in my opinion does not require much effort and I think it's a shame, that ukrainian authorities don't see that.

 

[Sergei]

Frankly speaking, I don't think Lwiw needs any extra tourism boosters, it's already one of the most beautiful cities in this part of Europe.The only thing Lwiw really needs to start making money is:

a) better infrastructure (cheap, decent hotels and hostels, tourist information etc.)

b) promotion, promotion, promotion, promotion, promotion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (people in the west still think, that Ukraine is some kind of a "wild east" country - exotic and perhaps tempting but visiting which might be hazardous)

Making Lviv an international tourist attraction in my opinion does not require much effort and I think it's a shame, that ukrainian authorities don't see that.

I completely agree with you.

Lviv has major potential, but as you said, we need to improve infrastructure, but also we have much to restore. We definately could use marketing.

The problem is, as we saw earlier in the other thread, Lviv's budget is really rediculously low. I don't think much infrastructure or renovation can be done with that money. So, Ukraine has to see these opportunities, and provide more money to Lviv. I'm sure they would see a healthy return on their money from the tourism.

 

[VelesHomais]

I noticed it says that the castle is of 13th century. Who was it built and owned by? When was it destroyed?

Just some information about it would be great.

 

[Sergei]

BREAKING NEWS: Shafts have begun being dug in the High Castle Hill! There are various reports about what is happening. Some claim that is the first phase of reconstruction, others that this is a scientific excavation. Yet another report says that the shaft are being dug to strengthen the hill, possibly to support the weight of the castle.

When there are more details, I'll be sure to post them. For now, here is a picture of one of the shafts, approx. 2x6 metres:

Source: Lvivska Gazeta

 

[Sergei]

I noticed it says that the castle is of 13th century. Who was it built and owned by? When was it destroyed?

Just some information about it would be great.

The High Castle is the name of the highest hill (413 m) overlooking Lviv. In the 13th century the kings of Halych built a fortress at the High Castle Hill. With the spread of fire arms the significance of the fortress diminished and in 1704 it was conquered and ruined by the Swedish troops of Karl the XII. Since then the fortress at High Castle has never been rebuilt. The High Castle summit with the winding path is man-made in honor of Lublin Union of 1569 that united Poland and Lithuania into one state. The only remnant of the fortress is a part of its southern wall which is guarded by a stone 400 year old lion brought here in 1874. The broadcasting tower and the television center were added in 1957.

You can see the High Castle on the top of the hill:

Lion Statue at the base of the summit:

Path up to the summit:

 

[Pavlo]

BREAKING NEWS: Shafts have begun being dug in the High Castle Hill! There are various reports about what is happening. Some claim that is the first phase of reconstruction, others that this is a scientific excavation. Yet another report says that the shaft are being dug to strengthen the hill, possibly to support the weight of the castle.

When there are more details, I'll be sure to post them. For now, here is a picture of one of the shafts, approx. 2x6 metres:

Source: Lvivska Gazeta

Let the madness begin...

 

[Pavlo]

And yet another article:

http://www.wz.lviv.ua/pages.php?atid=41892

[edit]

Stas, here are some of the drawings: