The Vilnius Station district is experiencing a real revival. This strategically important area of the city has been increasingly merging with the Old Town in recent years, attracting more and more investments. This trend will likely be further strengthened in the future by the Vilnius Connect project, which will soon change the face of the Station, for which a design contract was signed last month.
Opened before the invention of the light bulb
Vilnius Railway Station was built during the construction of the railway between St. Petersburg and Warsaw, and opened its doors back in 1862. Originally, the station building designed by the French architect Pirel stood here, but it was severely damaged during World War II and was rebuilt in the 1950s, and the first interior reconstruction was carried out in 1965.
In 1974, the Vilnius Bus Station was opened right next to the railway station, which further accelerated the development of the district, and five years ago, the Vilnius Railway Station building complex was included in the Lithuanian Register of Cultural Heritage.
Despite its importance to the city and its representative function, the station area had a rather dubious reputation until recently – unpleasant stories circulated about the people who gathered here, and Vilnius residents were outraged by the untidy streets and public spaces.
However, in recent years, the district has been experiencing a real revival – thanks to public and private investments and initiatives, the Station District has become a lively, attractive and culturally rich place, attracting locals, newcomers and new businesses. In 2021, Vilnius’ Station District was recognized by Time Out magazine as one of the most interesting city districts in the world, and even surpassed New York, Hong Kong and Melbourne districts in the list of “The World’s Coolest Neighborhoods”.
The biggest change is yet to come
In recent years, numerous cultural and contemporary art projects have been initiated in the Station District: the walls of buildings are decorated with huge murals, the “Portalas” connecting Vilnius and Lublin stood here for four years, the “Kablys” (Hook) has become an event attraction center in the former Vilnius Railway Workers’ Palace of Culture, the Railway Museum has been renovated, and the Rail Park has been established.
The private business sector also sees the growing potential of the district, which is why new bars and entertainment venues are opening here every year. Gastronomy lovers have already fallen in love with the Station district’s entrances, which unite different cuisines from around the world, nightlife is thriving in the old Halle Market building, and the first artificial wave pool in Northern Europe opened in the district a year ago.
Despite the many changes, the biggest change in the district is yet to come. In September, the capital’s municipality signed a design contract worth more than 4 million euros for the long-awaited Vilnius Connect project, which will transform the bus and railway station complex.
“The current Station Square is more often an obstacle than a convenient transport connection, therefore we aim to form new connections between Naujininkai, Senamiestis and Naujamiestis – a seamless, modern and highly functional urban fabric that would be convenient and attractive to both passengers and citizens,” reveals Laura Kairienė, Chief Architect of the City of Vilnius.
The implementation of Vilnius Connect will take place in two stages. In the first, by the third quarter of 2029, the bus station and access roads will be reconstructed, which will radically change the Station Square both functionally and visually. Streets, bicycle paths, green spaces will be redesigned, and an amphitheater will be installed. The changes will complement the renovation works already underway at Strumila Gardens, St. Stephen’s, Liepkalnis and Pelesa squares. The second stage of the project will modernize the railway station.
Chasing prestigious districts of the capital
One of the city’s most strategically important locations, which is on the verge of a radical transformation, is gradually changing and has begun to be valued again among settlers and real estate investors, which is why in recent years the price of new construction housing in the Station district has been rapidly catching up with the prestigious class segment (Senamiestis, Užupis, Žvėrynas, part of Naujamiestis). Currently, the average price of new construction apartments in the capital’s prestigious class reaches 6,639 EUR per sq. m., and in the Station district – 5,730 EUR per sq. m.
According to Tomas Žiaugra, development director of the real estate development company EIKA Development, prices do not scare buyers, because Stotis is gradually becoming a prestigious district and a gateway to the Vilnius Old Town. Currently, the company is developing a prestigious residential complex “Senamiesčio sodai” on Seinų Street, in the vicinity of the future project “Vilnius connect”, which will require an investment of as much as 41.3 million euros, which will be completed by 2027. The project has already become the most popular choice of home buyers in the Old Town over the past 12 months, and in September it confidently took first place in terms of sales in the prestigious segment with 13 sales.
“The station is being reborn, so it is not surprising that people want to not only work or spend time here, but also live. This is also shown by the numbers: two years ago, the average price of prestigious housing in Vilnius was 35 percent higher than in the Station district, and today the gap is only 15 percent. This district already has an exceptional location, excellent communication and all services within easy reach, and the launched Vilnius Connect project will likely strengthen the price growth trend and the location’s popularity among home buyers and investors,” says T. Žiaugra.