“Eika” has signed a design contract for the managed real estate project at Šv. Stepono gatvė 33, Vilnius, with “Senojo miesto architektais”, who are the winners of the announced closed architectural competition. Based on this contract, development plans for the project, which will consist of two parts and two buildings at the same time – co-living apartments and residential apartments “Šv. Stepono Baltas lapas”, will begin. At the same time, the development of the project will contribute to turning a new leaf for the entire station district.
The city of Vilnius considers this part of the city a priority, as evidenced by such ambitious projects as Vilnius Connect, the reconstruction of the St. Stephen’s Church Square and St. Stephen’s Street. “Naujamiestis is undoubtedly a favorite of Vilnius residents, whose charm we understand perfectly and see when communicating with our clients. Our one project will soon be completed here, which will offer Naujamiestis a total of more than 300 new apartments, and there are many other successful real estate projects in the neighborhood. Residents are attracted by the developed entertainment and social infrastructure. Therefore, even considering the current pandemic context, we are considering development plans in this area with a new project on St. Stephen’s Street, while contributing to the city’s plans to renew this part of the capital,” says Domas Dargis, CEO of Eika.
The project is framed by Šv. Stepona, Punsko and Panerių streets, so it is located on the border of the Old Town and the New Town, merging into the reviving Station district. The development of the project is perimeter, typical of the New Town. It is planned that the buildings will form two inner courtyards, the third courtyard will be formed between the communal co-living and residential buildings, through which a transverse pedestrian passage is designed, maintaining visual connections with the St. Stephen Church, which the city plans to reconstruct and install a square. The part of Šv. Stepona street along the project will also be reconstructed by the city, connecting two separate sections of the street with a pedestrian zone.
“At the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, the St. Stephen’s Market was located on this site, and after World War II, the undeveloped area was converted into a small-scale production and storage area with utilitarian buildings. The architecture of the new building was influenced by the urban fabric of the surrounding areas. The moderate architectural expression was inspired by the aesthetics of the brick facades of industrial railway buildings, and it also fit the client’s task,” says I. Gečienė, project manager of the “Old City Architects” company, about the design proposals.
The new residential project on Šv. Stepono Street also marks the transformation of Eika’s successful Baltas lapas brand from a single project to a line of projects focused on active city residents and developed in regenerating areas near the city center. The company already manages a block of apartment buildings in Naujamiestis under the Baltas lapas brand, which is being transformed into Mindaugos Baltas lapas. The part of the residential project planned on Šv. Stepono Street is named Šv. Stepono Baltas lapas. The Baltas lapas symbolizes a new beginning, and the street name written in front emphasizes the importance, charm and uniqueness of the place. It is planned that more Baltas lapas brand projects may appear in the future, both in Vilnius and in other cities.
The planned residential building is four or five stories high, with 133 apartments and commercial premises; the total area of the apartments is approximately 7,000 sq m. m. The apartments are one to four rooms, with an area ranging from 25 to 80 sq m. m. The first floor apartments are planned with terraces. Parking is planned on the underground floor, where 75 spaces for cars and electric vehicles are planned, as well as bicycle storage. 15 commercial premises are planned on the first floor. The building is designed for A+ energy efficiency class.
The “Co-living” part includes 269 studio apartments for rent with a sleeping area, private bathroom and kitchenette, the area of one studio varies between 18 and 24 sq m. m. For lovers of communal life, various common spaces are provided: a 24-hour reception, relaxation and game areas, a gym, a large kitchen and dining area, a laundry room and a learning space on each floor, a 150 sq m. m roof terrace. Five commercial premises have been designed in the building, which are planned to be rented or sold to cafes, health food bars, and daily services.
The target audience of the communal living apartment project in Vilnius is international: young professionals who have come to work in Vilnius for a fixed period of time, international senior students whose priority is living in the city center, modernly designed and comfortable housing, and a single account service. Eika, together with its partners, was the first in Lithuania to introduce the co-living concept with the communal living student house Solo Society Student House in Kaunas in the fall of 2018.
The total planned investment amount of the project is 25 million euros. The start of construction, under favorable conditions, is planned for the fourth quarter of 2020 – the first quarter of 2021.
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