Investments will nurture the left bank of the Nemunas
Lionginas Šepetys, Chairman of the Board of SBA Urban: „Together with our partners, „TABA invest“, we will invest more than a quarter of a billion euros to create a whole new part of the city on the banks of the Nemunas. Nemunaičiai will become a new city centre that is vibrant, lively, suitable for comfortable living, and convenient for business. The residential and commercial area of exceptional architecture will expand to 6 hectares. In Stage II alone, we intend to invest more than EUR 50 million over the next few years“.
According to Mr. Šepetys, the planned development by the city of Kaunas—including the M. K. Čiurlionis Concert Hall, a pedestrian bridge, the reconstruction of H. and O. Minkovskiai Street, and investments in Nemunas island—will create an epicentre of art, culture, and sports. The district being developed by SBA, in collaboration with the investment company TABA Invest, will become an integral part of this area.
The mayor of Kaunas, Visvaldas Matijošaitis: „What is happening now in Žemoji Freda, on the riverside, is the result of mutual trust between the city and business. We promised the residents of Kaunas to revitalise the left bank of the Nemunas by building a bridge from the Nemunas island, constructing the Čiurlionis Concert Centre, and reconstructing Minkovskiai Street. SBA heard our goal and started to develop the Nemunaičiai project. Today, we already see an desirable space, towards which the new city centre is shifting“.
Historian Kristina Petrauskė drew parallels with historical moments: „Businesses and residents have taken a liking in this area, encompassing Žemoji Freda and Aleksotas, because of its convenient location by the river and green surroundings. Settlement here intensified in the Middle Ages and flourished in the 19th century, with thriving industry and beekeeping. As history comes full circle, this part of the city is again coming to life, becoming attractive for modern business and comfortable living“.
For life and business
The beginning of the construction of the second stage of the Nemunaičiai development was marked by a symbolic ceremony, during which an artistic installation was unveiled to signify the ambition and architectural expression of the new stage. In this stage, H. and O. Minkovskiai Street will include the 8,000 sqm residential project Pasaka, the more than 10,000 sqm business centre Hermanas and a multi-storey car park with over 500 parking spaces. More than EUR 50 million is planned to be invested in these projects, which the architectural studio of National Prize winner Rolandas Palekas designed.
The residential building Pasaka, inspired by M. K. Čiurlionis and his works, offers 95 modern apartments, most of which face the Nemunas river. Considerable attention has been paid to the building's functionality and comfortable living, with a private and spacious courtyard and green and recreational areas being the main attractions. The general contractor of the residential project is Infes.
The business centre Hermanas will quench the craving of Kaunas businesses for modern A-class offices and offer more than 10,000 sqm of new space to the market. The 8-storey Hermanas Business Centre will provide floor areas ranging from 1,044 to 1,500 sqm per floor and will be particularly appealing to larger companies seeking to settle in one space. Plans also call for a number of smaller office spaces of 106–305 sqm. The general contractor for this project is Veikmės Statyba.
The A++-class office building in Nemunaičiai will seek WELL certification, which concentrates on human health and well-being in the design and operation of buildings. BREEAM In-Use sustainability certification is also planned. It will be the first business centre in Kaunas to focus so much on employee health and well-being. Interest in the new project is enormous, and negotiations are underway to lease more than half of the building.
