Restoration of the Lieberman estate: when developers, community and city come together
The Writers' House in the center of Kyiv, known as the Lieberman estate, was damaged during Russian shelling in early 2025. Among the dozens of cultural heritage sites that were destroyed, this nineteenth-century architectural gem was under real threat. For the first time in the modern history of the capital, the community, business, and city authorities have come together to save the monument. The initiative is based on a memorandum signed between the Ukrainian Association of Developers, the National Union of Writers of Ukraine, the NGO "Real Kyiv", the Gurtum Foundation, and the Department of Cultural Heritage Protection of the Kyiv City State Administration.
As a result of the shelling, 83 windows were smashed in the Lieberman estate, 14 frames were completely destroyed, and stucco moldings, marble window sills, and unique decorative stoves were damaged. The danger of moisture and low temperatures could have led to the complete destruction of the authentic interior. The Writers' Union, which maintains the building, is unable to carry out repairs on its own.
The first step: emergency works
The Ukrainian Association of Developers initiated emergency funding to protect the building from further damage. With the support of the Association, glass was purchased to restore some of the windows, with a total cost of over UAH 200 thousand. The work is being carried out in cooperation with the Gurtum Charitable Foundation and the Real Kyiv NGO, which involve volunteers and craftsmen.
Rebuilding with respect for heritage
The approach to restoration is as careful as possible: authentic elements are not replaced but preserved. Some window frames are being restored, while others are being recreated from scratch. The NGO "Real Kyiv" has already carried out routine repairs to the facade doors, including the preservation and restoration of an ancient lock. For more complex work, they are preparing to cooperate with specialists from the Center for the Conservation of Archaeological Objects.
Cooperation strategy and long-term plans
Lieberman's estate is just the beginning. The restoration project is seen as a pilot project: it demonstrates the effectiveness of the dialogue between developers, public initiatives, and government agencies. The next step is the development of scientific and design documentation that will allow us to proceed to a comprehensive restoration. Its cost may reach one million hryvnias.
The head of the Ukrainian Association of Developers, Yevhen Favorov, is convinced that the development business should be a driver not only of economic growth but also of historical preservation.
"Lieberman's estate is a symbol of statehood and cultural continuity. Its preservation is our shared responsibility."
Social responsibility as a strategy
The Association is already preparing a broad barrier-free strategy that includes support for inclusive practices in housing and urban infrastructure. This is a logical continuation of social initiatives, including the preservation of cultural heritage.
Lieberman's estate is an example of how we can and should act in times of war. The unification of business, civil society, and the city not only yields a concrete result, but also creates a model of recovery that is worth scaling up.
