Žvėrynas is the most desirable microdistrict in the capital, according to the latest survey of residents by the company EIKA Group. If Vilnius residents were not constrained by any circumstances, as many as 49 percent of those surveyed would like to live in this microdistrict, and 7 out of 10 say that living in Žvėrynas would be as prestigious as living in the Old Town.
Every second person would like to live in Žvėrynas
In a public opinion survey commissioned by real estate development company EIKA Group, 1,000 residents of the capital were asked to name three Vilnius neighborhoods where they would like to live if their choice were not limited by any circumstances. The survey results revealed that as many as 49 percent would choose Žvėrynas in such a hypothetical situation.
“We can call Žvėryna the most desirable district, because almost every second Vilnius resident would like to live here. The second most popular answer was the Old Town District, which also includes Užupis and Paupys – 42 percent of people would choose to live here. Third place went to Antakalnis with 32 percent,” says Tomas Žiaugra, Development Director of EIKA Development.
According to the survey, residents consider Žvėrynas to be the cleanest, tidiest, safest and lowest crime-prone neighborhood in the capital. Vilnius residents also say that the district has many green spaces and is perfect for living with children, and as many as 7 out of 10 survey participants indicate that they would consider living in the Žvėrynas or Senamiestis neighborhoods to be the most prestigious.
From hunting grounds to a prestigious district
The Žvėrynas microdistrict, annexed to Vilnius in 1901, is located in the Neris loop and borders the largest park in the capital, Vingis Park, with an area of 157 hectares, and the Karoliniškės Landscape Reserve. Once this place belonged to the Radziwills, who from the 16th to the mid-19th century bred roe deer here and had a game hunting reserve with a manor – this is how the name Žvėrynas came about.
Today, Žvėrynas is considered a prestigious district not only by residents, but also by real estate developers. Along with Užupis, Senamiestis and part of Naujamiestis, it is one of only four prestigious districts of Vilnius, and the price of apartments in Žvėrynas has almost tripled over the past ten years – from 2,450 euros to 7,072 euros per square meter.
The district is home to numerous businesses, several schools and kindergartens, clinics, churches, the Panorama shopping center, numerous cafes and restaurants, service establishments, sports fields, pedestrian and bicycle paths. By car, Žvėrynas is conveniently accessible from Narbutos or Geležinio Vilko streets, there are many public transport routes, and the city center is within walking distance.
The supply is low, but there are many who want it.
Although surveys show that many people would like to live in Žvėrynas, it is one of the smallest microdistricts in Vilnius in terms of population. According to EIKA Development, the area is currently home to about 15,000 people, while the demand for new housing significantly exceeds the supply.
“Buyers’ interest in Žvėrynas is huge, but the very limited area determines the small number of new projects and supply. Today, there are only 45 apartments to choose from, and in the first 10 months of this year, only 20 apartments were sold in Žvėrynas. It is easy to predict that housing prices here will rise even more in the future, so now it can be a great investment,” reveals T. Žiaugra.
Currently, EIKA Development is developing the A++ energy class project “Žvėryno Personos” on Blindžių Street, which will add 61 apartments to the market by the second quarter of 2027. Buyers can choose from 1-6 room apartments, the area of which ranges from 31 to 137 sq. meters. The top floor will feature exclusive apartments with bay windows and mezzanines, most of which will have roof terraces. Residents of the first floor will also enjoy terraces, and all remaining apartments will have balconies.