On September 6, the Eika Group officially opened the doors of Solo Society City House Vilnius, the largest co-living house not only in Vilnius but also in the whole of Lithuania. EUR 17 million was invested in the accommodation services project with 269 rooms and almost 8 thousand sq m of total area..
The global community is gathering
As the first residents are being created, we see a clear portrait of the client. The residents cover a very wide geography – as many as 21 countries from the USA to India, proportionally we have now received the most clients from France and Germany. A considerable number of residents have also been received from Lithuania, but not necessarily Lithuanians, the vast majority of foreigners already living in our country. The average age is 26 years, 59 percent. indicated that they will study in Vilnius, 33 percent. – will work, 8 percent – for other purposes. According to Domas Dargis, General Director of “Eika”, the concept of “co-living” or shared living house accommodation services is the solution of the future today. “As the emerging community shows, such accommodation services are needed by people who are open to the world and do not yet feel the need to be tied to the obligations of a permanent place of residence. They boldly choose another country, city to study or work. On the other hand, when the affordability of housing even all over the world becomes a headache, such an accommodation alternative becomes a real salvation for a young professional,” says D. Dargis.
Comfortable living in the heart of the city
Solo Society City House Vilnius is located at Šv. Stepono g. 33 – at the junction of the Old Town and the New Town, from where you can reach the bus and train station in a few minutes, and on the other side, the social and cultural life of the city center is within a few minutes. According to Karolis Gabarts, the manager of Solo Society City House Vilnius, clients who choose these shared living houses value 4 advantages – cost savings, convenience, comfort and community. “By paying one monthly payment, the client, if they do not order additional services, such as living with a pet or room cleaning, lives in an apartment with an integrated kitchenette, bathroom, uses common areas for studying, working, and entertainment, such as a cinema room, games room, sports and yoga rooms, a rooftop terrace, and a shared kitchen, as well as excellent wireless internet connection or bicycle storage. The client does not need to worry about any other fees, neither utility bills nor electricity or internet, everything is paid comfortably once a month through a special app,” says K. Gabartas.
The philosophy of Solo Society (“One” “Society”) encodes privacy and community, which reflects the essential principles of shared living – enough private space where you can feel safe, but as soon as you step outside your room door, you enter spaces that promote sociability and togetherness. “Those shared spaces for various purposes not only expand the boundaries of comfort, but also help strengthen the social ties of the community. After all, practically every client who settles here has their own new beginning, and when there are the same people nearby, fellowship and connections emerge very quickly,” K. Gabartas lists the advantages of community.
Solo Society City House Vilnius offers 269 rooms of different sizes. The most popular Studio type room is 17-20 sq m. with a 12-month contract. It costs 570 Eur per month. You can choose to live from one to twelve months. The price includes all taxes, additional services, such as room cleaning, are additionally paid. 1500 sq m are allocated for common areas. Customers do not have keys, all door locks are controlled via an application, card or phone. Guests will enter the building only with the resident’s permission.
Artistic accents and a bar with slippers
The facade of the building features an art installation by artist Antanas Dubra, which uses emoji-icon symbols – work, home, relationships, and diversity – to convey the essence of this house.
Solo Society City House Vilnius has managed to attract the pilates studio Honey to the commercial premises for rent, which has already started its operations, as well as the cocktail bar Nick and Nora, which has already established itself in the Old Town, which will open the bar Grand Central by Nick and Nora in the shared house. Residents will be able to enter the bar from inside the building, and there they will be able to meet guests from outside, as the bar is open to everyone. Negotiations are currently underway for the remaining last lease agreements. It is expected that we will have an even wider range of services necessary for everyday life here.
More about coliving here.