Mantas Galdikas, Director of Citus: ‘This is very significant news for us, as the second stage will mark the implementation of the project’s overall vision. Žaliakalnis is a unique place with a special identity, a place of Kaunas spirit, which Radio City by CITUS has infused with new life. There was some nervousness at the beginning of a conversion of this magnitude and complexity. Still, the project has proved its worth, attracted the interest and trust of its clients and once completed, will undoubtedly become one of the landmarks of the district and the city. The entire compound of the former radio factory will assume a new image, and the property’s value will increase more rapidly in the completed project’.
The building development along Žemaičių street was named Minija, while the development in front of one of the most famous symbols of Kaunas – the Church of the Resurrection – has been named Daina. About 250 lofts and business premises are expected to be built in the 14,200 sqm of administrative, hotel and recreational space. The lofts will range in size from 20 to 100 sqm, and some will have the possibility to install mezzanines. Lifts and surveillance cameras will be installed for the comfort and safety the project’s residents and employees. The lofts will be combinable to the desired size and equipped with underfloor heating.
Work is expected to start in Q4 of this year after obtaining a building permit, and is to be completed in Q1 2027. Radio City by CITUS sales of stage II will also commence with the beginning of construction.
The first stage included refurbishing the Nida and Banga blocks located along Astronomijos Street and Savanorių Avenue. On an area of more than 8,000 sqm, 184 lofts and 42 commercial premises were built, most of which have already been sold. Currently, only one loft and four commercial premises remain vacant.
Galdikas: ‘The project has become very attractive to many investors due to the increasing value of the district’s growth and development prospects. Almost two-thirds of the new buyers purchased the lofts for investment purposes. Kaunas is often referred to as a city of students, so the availability of property for lease in such a location and the attractiveness of the return on investment encourage people to make investments. We estimate that the property acquired in Radio City by CITUS generates an estimated annual yield of 8–10%, and we have several clients who have acquired not just one loft but up to ten.’
The first stage already includes a clinic, a print shop, various shops, a dental clinic, beauty services, a creative therapy house and an art studio.
Also, all the new owners of the project will enjoy the roof terrace, which will be further extended during the second stage: the roof of the Minija and Daina buildings will be renovated and resurfaced, with recreation and relaxation areas and an extended observation deck overlooking the magnificent panorama of Kaunas Žaliakalnis, from one of the city’s most elevated locations.
The transformation of the former Kaunas radio factory into Radio City by CITUS continues the work that started in the first stage. Most of the building’s walls and slab structures will be retained, repaired and reinforced. Characteristic architectural details such as staircases (a new staircase will be added in stage II in compliance with fire safety requirements), lift shafts and other features will be preserved, and a new identity will be created by the use of distinctive facades.
The second stage will see the complete renovation of the second building of the former factory: the facades and the roof with terraces will be insulated and rebuilt, and new floor structures, internal partitions, lifts and all engineering systems – water supply, heating, electricity, fire safety, sewerage, ventilation and individual metering will be replaced. These improvements will bring the building up to Energy Efficiency Class B.
The courtyard will have a car park (152 spaces) and landscaping. An underground car park with 87 spaces is also being planned. A new electricity transformer substation serving the entire project will also be completed.
The implementation of the architectural part of the Radio City by CITUS concept is being carried on by the renowned team of Kaunas architecture studio Archas: Gintaras Čepurna, Jolita Slendzoka, Tomas Kuleša, Mantas Navalinskas, Neringa Sobeščukaitė, Julija Platūkė and Jokūbas Platūkis. Their design maintains the original form of the building. At the same time, the industrial modernity of the Radio City by CITUS complex will be given by the different external facades: the Daina block on the church side is to be covered with subtle reflective panels, which will display one of the city’s symbols, while the project building will not directly compete with it; the Minija facade will be decorated with mosaics of clinker tiles in different shades, sizes and textures, reminiscent of conversion projects in Copenhagen, London or New York.
In addition to Radio City by CITUS in Kaunas, Citus currently manages the projects Mūnai by CITUS, Kaip Niujorke by CITUS, the ongoing Miško Ardai by CITUS in Vilnius and Nemunas by CITUS in Druskininkai. Another housing project in Vilnius – Justiniškės district – is planned for the near future, but there will be more announcements.
