Students from more than 20 different countries around the world have already settled in the new student residence “Solo Society”
In the first days of September, a communal student house, Solo Society, opened its doors in a reconstructed building located on Kęstučio Street in the center of Kaunas. Having already received great interest from students in the summer, today it is 95 percent occupied. At the beginning of the academic year, students from Sweden, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Israel, New Zealand and Lithuania settled in the student house.
Guests who gathered for the Solo Society opening ceremony, which began on Friday afternoon, September 14, had the opportunity to learn more about the student housing concept and take a look inside the newly renovated and modernly furnished homes.
“We are pleased that during the renovation we received many inquiries and reservations from abroad. We were contacted by both students living abroad and their parents. We managed to complete practically all the work for the admission of students in the last week of August,” says Eglė Garnienė, director of Solo Society, about the intensive start of activities.
Queues of those who want to
Students can already use all common spaces, and the gym will open its doors soon. The communal housing project has been implemented since February this year by real estate developer EIKA and real estate investment company Mana Investicija, affiliated with the Etapas group.
“Practically all the rooms are reserved, but not all the residents have arrived yet,” says the director of Solo Society, commenting on the occupancy of the houses. There are 150 fully furnished studio rooms with integrated kitchenettes, individual toilets and showers, furniture and household appliances.
Depending on the student’s needs and possibilities, these houses can accommodate one or two people. The smallest room, intended for one person, has an area of 14 sq m, and the largest, equivalent to a two-bedroom apartment, has an area of 47 sq m.
“We planned that the single small rooms would be the most popular, but we were pleasantly surprised that the large rooms were reserved first. A waiting list has already been created for the large rooms today,” adds E. Garnienė.
The advantage of double rooms is an additional living room with a sofa and a table. Rental prices, depending on the size of the room, range from 299 to 599 euros. Next year, it is planned to renovate the adjacent building, which will provide another 100 rooms for students who want to live in a communal environment. The total investment in this project amounts to over 7.4 million euros.
A friendly community is forming
The essence of the Solo Society concept is to offer students a life together with a community while maintaining privacy. “In the spring, we went to Sweden and were interested in the Scandinavian co-living trends, which are widespread in Europe and are working successfully.
“We saw many examples, talked to creators, designers, and information technology representatives, whose examples inspired and encouraged us to take on this project with even greater momentum,” says the head of the student residence. The Solo Society premises are equipped with everything you need not only for studies, but also for an active, creative life after lectures, from quiet, work areas to various leisure spaces and even a terrace on the roof of the building.
Community spirit permeates even everyday concerns here. “Students and their mothers, who helped their children settle in for the first time abroad, write messages, send postcards and thank them for the hospitality, help, direct communication and cooperation. The administration knows almost all the residents, knows their names, greets them and is always helpful, extends a helping hand and resolves any issues that arise,” comments E. Garnienė.
Although the first residents moved in just a few weeks ago, the common areas are already bustling with activity. “Food is slowly being prepared in the spacious shared kitchens, and the corridors smell of spices from different cultures. We have noticed that the outdoor terrace on the 7th floor with a view of Kaunas city center is a place for students to gather and socialize,” shares the director of the student housing.
More information:
Eglė Garnienė Director SOLO SOCIETY Student House
Kęstucio St. 36, Kaunas
Email: [email protected] Phone: L+370 657 88805 www.solosociety.lt