Historical background:
The building was constructed in 1898 as a printing house, which was rented by S.P. Yakovlev immediately after construction. At the time, it was one of the largest printing enterprises in the city with more than 15 speed-printing machines that were destroyed during the Civil War. At that time, the printing house served the railways in a dilapidated state. Between 1924 and 1934, the building was restored and modernized: a third floor and an attic space were added, and a freight elevator was installed. In the postwar years, technical and storage facilities were added, creating a closed courtyard space. In Soviet times, the 4th printing house of the Ministry of Railways worked here. In 1980, the building received a security number and was recognized as an architectural monument of local importance.
From 2010 to 2020, the building was in a state of disrepair. In 2021, a new owner came along and decided to revitalize the building. Alter Development began working on the project in 2021, planning restoration and revitalization into a cultural center. In 2022, the project was frozen due to a full-scale invasion and resumed in 2023.
Architectural style:
Eclectic "brick" style. The decor is characterized by unpainted brick and Gothic elements. There are also elements of Industrial Art Nouveau, and red-brick masonry is characteristic of the industrial Kharkiv Art Nouveau style. The style is also described as red-brick neo-Gothic.
Social effect:
The project has the potential to become a mediator connecting the urban space around the station and the recreational area of the embankment. The building is an important historical monument and can serve as a link between old and new development. The project will have an impact on the city/region, including the use of public spaces and the expected number of jobs/organizations.
The mission of the managing NGO "Ukrainian Tea Party" is to support and develop cultural projects in Kharkiv, with the vision of making Kharkiv an outpost of Ukrainian culture. It is planned to develop the ecosystem of the district, unite the community, and actualize the historical value of the territory.
