The first modern business centers, apartment districts and individual house projects that became cozy homes and spacious offices. With the emergence of these buildings, the faces of Vilnius and other cities changed and became more prominent. So which Lithuanian real estate objects have been recorded in the pages of history?
Real estate development company Eika, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, was one of the first to lay the foundations for the current real estate (RE) market.
“We started our business by providing construction services, but our ambitions were much greater, we looked at the business more broadly. A few years later, after purchasing a plot of land and starting to build the first complex, we were one of the first in Lithuania to offer consumers something that was not yet on the market – finished real estate products. In this way, we demonstrated which path the market and its leaders should take,” says Robertas Dargis, Chairman of the Board of Eika, about the beginning of the business.
Over the 25 years of the company’s activity, almost 4,500 apartments, cottages and individual houses have been built. The total area of the buildings is 416 thousand square meters, which is more than 58 football fields.
Get to know the innovative and market-leading properties that made history in the Lithuanian real estate market.
A residential neighborhood in the capital Jerusalem – international team work. According to the managers of “Eika”, this is one of the first projects of the company, to the creation of which not only Lithuanian, but also Finnish architects contributed. The international team created a project of functional, bright houses, which enlivened the hilly landscape of Jerusalem. In the green zone of the city (cottages on Avižų, Miežų, Maumedžių streets), construction took place for several years until 2002.
A block of individual houses on Nugalėtojos and Plytinės streets. – according to the needs of the population. Unified architecture, in harmony with nature, and houses adapted exclusively to the needs of residents. This is how this quarter is described. Since 1998. over the course of several years, a settlement of almost 20 individual houses has been built, where, surrounded by the beauty and comfort of nature, settlers have settled.
A residential quarter in Giruliai that resembles a resort (completed in 2002). Naturalness, ecology, and landscape are values that were taken into account when creating the Giruliai lifestyle. This is one of the first block construction projects in Lithuania. 22 one-story cottages were built in the seaside pine forest, and five types of residential houses were designed. The entire territory of the settlement has been arranged and landscaped in a comprehensive manner, and engineering networks have been centralized.
Apartment buildings on S. Žukausko Street have replaced the Northern Town. (2003-2004). They are located in a picturesque place on a slope, with a panorama of Gediminas Castle, the Hill of Three Crosses, the Neris River and the Sapieginė Forest. These apartment buildings became one of the first parts of the current portrait of Vilnius’s Northern Town. Having been a military town for many decades, it gradually transformed into a residential quarter.
12-story “twins” – one of the first modern business centers. The construction of the Eika business center near the Neris River began in 2003 and was one of the first modern office buildings for rent in Vilnius, where well-known international brands were established. These office buildings set the standard for quality in business centers. Both 12-story “twins” are still appreciated by tenants – most of them are fully rented.
“Gate of the Sea” representing Klaipėda (consisting of the buildings “Yachtclub”, “Ryžių malūnas”, “Keltininko namas”) is one of the most attractive and unique coastal areas in the entire Baltic region. Among the objects, the historic “Ryžių malūnas” stands out, which was rebuilt and after the reconstruction completed in 2008 turned into a modern hotel and restaurant. This object has become one of the main representative places of the city of Klaipėda. In 2008, the project “Jūros vartai” was granted the status of a project of national importance.
An innovative low-rise housing development in the Santariškės district of the capital. In 2006, the unique project “Santariškės namai” was launched on the outskirts of Vilnius, and is still considered one of the most innovative in Vilnius and has received various awards. This project set a new standard of living – the traditions of low-rise construction and significantly contributed to the development of the entire current Santariškės microdistrict. The construction of the settlement lasted for several years, and even 10 years after the start of construction, the project was chosen as the best real estate object in the Baltic States.
Advanced construction technologies in Pilaitė apartment buildings. For more than 10 years, the project “Eika namai Pilaitė” has been developing in the capital city of Pilaitė, becoming the first quarter of Vilnius fully formed for living. Residents are happy with the shopping center next to their homes, basketball and volleyball courts in spacious courtyards. It is in this quarter that “Eika” has “domesticated” modern and advanced prefabricated reinforced concrete.
Delicate architecture in the center of Vilnius (Basanavičiaus 9A). National Prize-winning architect Rolandas Palekas designed three individual buildings that blend harmoniously into the surrounding environment. The exceptional architectural work was noticed by professionals. At the Baltic Real Estate and Investment Forum in 2016, Basanavičiaus 9A was named the best residential project in the Baltic States. It is particularly appreciated for the subtle design and implementation of a modern architectural building in a historic setting.
Open-minded space on Gedimino Avenue (Live Square). In the fall of 2017, the construction of the emerging space “Live Square” in the center of the capital was officially announced. According to the leaders of “Eika”, this space will unite business, art and technology, and the exchange of knowledge and ideas will take place – this will give Vilnius more life and dynamics. The first hotel of the “Hilton Garden Inn” chain in Lithuania will be located here, as well as a business center with retail premises, a public terrace on the roof with a great view of Lukiškės Square, and three residential buildings with 88 apartments. “Live Square” will open its doors in 2019.
“Having started with the construction and development of individual houses and apartment projects, having created entire housing blocks, we continue to look for new challenges and create new multifunctional spaces in cities – such will be the “Live Square” rising on Gedimino Avenue. Our vision includes international projects that will shape cities, their spaces, adapt them to the needs of residents and create the form and state of a modern and dynamic city,” says Domas Dargis, head of the company “Eika”, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
