The potential of Gediminas Avenue has not yet been exploited, especially on the western side, where the Seimas building stands. According to urban planners, although new buildings and the renovated Lukiškės Square that have been built in recent years show more significant signs of recovery in the rear section of the avenue, more significant changes and a more active flow of people still need time..
“Various events and fairs take place on the Cathedral side, and there are many outdoor cafes that are always full of people in the evenings. The section from the Cathedral to Vilniaus Street is particularly lively, which is especially lacking in the western part of Gediminas Avenue, where there are no popular attractions and more residential housing,” says urban planner Tadas Jonauskas, founder of the office “PUPA – strategic urban planning”.
Lack of public attractions
Real estate experts say that Gediminas Avenue could be divided into four sections: Cathedral – Vilniaus Street – Jakšto Street – Lukiškės Square – Seimas Palace, and the last section from Lukiškės Square to the Seimas Palace probably receives the least amount of traffic.
“Gedimino Avenue is a kind of backbone of Vilnius, which, unfortunately, has several “hernias” – a lack of public tourist attractions. The success of the avenue and the flow of people depend on the layout of the spaces, their accessibility and functionality. Spaces such as “Live Square” are opening in the last week of August. It will be open to citizens and we hope that it will give more momentum and energy to the main street of the city,” says Domas Dargis, CEO of the company “Eika”.
According to the real estate expert, from the very beginning of the design, the aim was for Live Square to become an integral part of the city and a point of attraction – from the shopping gallery and lively square on the first floor to the terrace open to any citizen on the 5th floor with a panorama of the constantly moving city and Lukiškės Square.
Synergy between the open Live Square and Lukiškės Square
Live Square, which has been built over almost two years, combines a shopping gallery, office and co-working spaces, residential apartments and the first four-star hotel in Lithuania, Hilton Garden Inn.
“Undoubtedly, the hotel will ensure a constant flow of tourists who will begin their acquaintance with the city here. It is likely that they will also visit the nearby cafes, shops, and other objects. It would be beneficial for the main street of the city if “Live Square” and Lukiškės Square became connecting points of attraction, thus creating a new place visited by the townspeople,” D. Dargis shares his future predictions.
More pedestrian zones
According to urban planners, it takes time to make the western side of Gediminas Avenue more lively. “People are constantly going to the M. Mažvydas Library, and now Live Square is opening. This will gradually create an impetus for the emergence of new points of attraction and the change of the avenue itself,” says T. Jonauskas.
According to the urban planner, Gediminas Avenue is unique in that there is no transit traffic – the street is often closed for celebrations, fairs, and events.
“Some sections could even become pedestrian zones permanently. Perhaps if a section from Lukiškės Square to Žvėrynas or Vingis Parks were converted into a pedestrian zone, the flow of people in the western part of Gediminas Avenue would become even more intense,” T. Jonauskas considers.