Kaunas development thread

[SkeiTeriS]

Hi :)
Here are some projects in Kaunas:

13 floors building. (It will be 20 floors, but there is some problems with government. Also, this is near Resurrection Church (http://liutas1.pochta.ru/Sloves%20galerija/prisikelimo/4.jpg))

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/1156/mikrov.jpg

http://fdisk.netfirms.com/Download/Images/Image.jpg


Another 13 floors building (residential)

Under construction :)

http://www.baltu13.lt/images/index_16.gif

http://www.baltu13.lt/


10 floors building in city center

http://www.kaunodiena.lt/files/Nuotraukos/10/102002.jpg


Shopping & entertainment centre AKROPOLIS (60m2)
It has 4 floors parking under street :)

http://members.lycos.co.uk/attackeris/miestai/akro1.jpg

http://members.lycos.co.uk/attackeris/miestai/akro2.jpg


Shopping & entertainment centre MEGA (70m2)

Under construction :)

http://www.balticshoppingcenters.com/img/t3b.jpg

http://www.balticshoppingcenters.com/img/t1b.jpg

http://www.balticshoppingcenters.com/img/t4b.jpg


Also, there are many smaller projects in Kaunas :)

[Monkey]

Thank you, SkeiTeriS! It was about time Kaunas got its own Projects thread. :)

[Estboy]

:hi: SkeiTeriS
Kaunas has some nice midrises going on and a huge shopping centre(70m2??-you sure about this? :) )
Also check the ,,How many,from where'' thread and say hello in the ''Welcome thread'' :)

[wolkenkrabber]

the highrises that rises looks good maybe a little commiblockish... liiks nice with the mall evne tough i do not like malls i love to walk down town instead... is that mall on 70m² is huge then what is my garden on 1200m² :P

[SkeiTeriS]

Shoping mails are 60 000 m2 and 70 000m2. There was a little mistake :D

[ch1le]

:) i'll say:)
Lithuanias second deserves a thread like this!

[John]

This one was quite controversial among architects in Kaunas and they didn't want let this one be built, but they may go to hell because I love this one, it's about time for Kaunas to get something really nice :okay:
http://www.kaunodiena.lt/files/Nuotraukos/10/102002.jpg

[Gatis]

I am with Jonas - that was the only project which caught my eye. Good one!

[John]

There are few more bigger renderings

http://img27.exs.cx/img27/3255/Image653.jpg

http://img27.exs.cx/img27/4844/Image652.jpg

and location of the building
http://img27.exs.cx/img27/4130/Image651.jpg

[blimey]

That building would be alright~ish except that its being built in a wrong location.

[PornStar]

I do like this building! :yes:
http://img27.exs.cx/img27/4844/Image652.jpg

[Vertigo]

I like it too! Interesting design, reminds me of... well, it reminds me of something, can't figure out what.

[SkeiTeriS]

New highrises buildings in Kaunas, up to 20 floors

Some renders:

http://members.lycos.co.uk/attackeris/miestai/kaunas.JPG

http://members.lycos.co.uk/attackeris/miestai/kaunas2.JPG

http://members.lycos.co.uk/attackeris/miestai/kaunas3.JPG

[Mantas]

Wow, is this the same from www.bra.lt ?

Great news :banana:

[Edd]

Nice, I hope that in reality the view will be similar to the view in that rendering and the buildings will not be just a simple commieblocks.

[_keen_]

Wow, some news ! More info would be great ...

[SkeiTeriS]

Wow, is this the same from www.bra.lt ?

Yes :)

This zone will look very good. There are Freda housing project, Akropolis and Sporto Arena under construction/plan

[liutass]

Agreed about the possibility to lay the Rail Baltica railway via Kaunas

The Transit Committee at the government of Lithuania will be offered for consideration the possibility of laying the European standard railway line Rail Baltica via Kaunas. Taking into account the significance of Kaunas city and region, the intermodal terminal and cargo distribution and transhipment centres should be also built in this city.
Such decision was adopted at the meeting of the Ministry of Transport and Communications and representatives of Kaunas and Marijampole municipalities. As it is known, the first stage of building the European standard railway Rail Baltica to be finished by 2010 provides for construction of the railway section from the Polish-Lithuanian border to Kaunas.
Representatives of the Ministry of Transport and Communications and Kaunas and Marijampole municipalities discussed various alternatives of this project – the eastern and western detours bypassing Kaunas. They also considered further steps in preparing for the first stage of construction of this international railway line in Lithuania.
Taking into account the importance of Kaunas region in assuring better utilisation of railway infrastructure, it would be expedient to lay this line in the place of the eastern detour of Kaunas. However, an approval of the main sponsor, the European Commission, is needed to make final decision.
Rail Baltica should connect Warsaw and Tallinn via Kaunas and Riga. Construction of this railway line only on the territory of Lithuania would cost over 800 million euro, but Lithuania would have to cover only 10% of the expenses. The major part of the project value would be financed from EU funds.
The following stage of construction (Kaunas – Riga) should be completed by 2014, and the third stage (Riga – Tallinn) – by 2016.

http://www.sam.gov.lv/images/Rail_Baltica_karte_500.jpg

And VIA BALTICA through Kaunas
http://www.ekranoirengimai.lt/fotos/vilnius_riga_big.jpg

[LatvianGG]

I heard also that in the future thay want to build railway and normal road tunnel between Tallinn and Helsinki

[John]

I heard also that in the future thay want to build railway and normal road tunnel between Tallinn and Helsinki

I'm 99% this is not going to happen. Just look at the Channel tunnel, it's bringing huge losses. Now imagine a tunnell between two small countries which would bring even bigger losses. That doesn't make sense.

[Gatis]

Wish, could they be faster with that Riga-Kaunas railway...
These highrises are very interesting. I understand that this is an rather early stage of the project. If the other buildings would have 20 floors, then that silver coloured in the middle... that could be something pretty much higher.

Via Baltica may have some corrections in future - the future highway (in Latvian terms - super highway) may go from Riga through Jelgava and smaller village of Eleja into Lithuania. To the west from current Via Baltica.

[liutass]

Via Baltica may have some corrections in future - the future highway (in Latvian terms - super highway) may go from Riga through Jelgava and smaller village of Eleja into Lithuania. To the west from current Via Baltica.

Via Baltica is almost finished in Lithuania. What is left (and what is under construction atthe moment) is traffic system leading from Via Baltica to Kaunas. New prospects interconnecting the high-way and Kaunas centre are under construction. Hopefully it will be finished next year.

[pablonis]

Srry, thread is not about that, but i think it's prety interesting:
i have read somewhere that the same year when european rail to kaunas will be u/c, same europen rail will be started to lay from vilnius to kaunas (part of the " DIPOLIS " project) and in some time - from kaunas to klaipeda (that is not for sure), but as i heard it's a priority to vilnius mayer Arturas Zuokas and all the money for that will come from lithuania goverment
Gatis: those highrises will be built, because they already bought the land, there is no stupid peaople in kaunas like " ZVERYNO BENDRUOMENE " in vilnius, who protest against all constructions or changes and as i heard municipality " said yes " to project and i dont know what could stop it now :)
and -
Is there some kind of project in latvia to build european rail from riga to ventspils, or daugavpils?

[Gatis]

In coming future the gauge in Latvia would not be changed. May be Rail Baltica will have "eurowidth" - but it is not decided, I think.
The reconstructions of railways Riga-Liepaja, Riga-Ventspils, Riga - Rezekne - Russian border have been completed, in December 2004 starts 90 mio EUR project to improve electronics and signaling system to increase the capacity of railway.
It would be just a financial loss to change the gauge there because the traffic comes from Russia and Central Asia and back. Should we change it and make the use of our railways more expensive (stop at the border and changing of wheels) for Russian customers just because in Europe is used another gauge and we are in EU? This will leave our harbours without jobs for sure.

[Insane alex]

Awesome! I would really like to see Lithuania connected to Finland and Germany! :D
What are the chances of approval or is it approved?

[Mantas]

Awesome! I would really like to see Lithuania connected to Finland and Germany! :D
What are the chances of approval or is it approved?
I think it's already approved as it's listed in the top of must-to-do list of the EU ;)

[ch1le]

wicked :), the rail baltica is the nr1 thing in my "i want to see happening" list, its just really cool. John, about the tunnel, not in near future for sure, but the dotted line shown on the map may just be a ferry line takeing the trains across the gulf - its done throughout scandinavia imo. Furthermore Eurotunnel, despaite the name, was founded by France and UK, but this one would be EU funded, but like you, i dont see it happening is 25-30 years

[Insane alex]

I think it's already approved as it's listed in the top of must-to-do list of the EU ;)

ohh, that's cool! :)

[SkeiTeriS]

New 16 floors highrise:

http://img131.exs.cx/img131/2299/sukileliu16gk.jpg

http://img131.exs.cx/img131/5783/sukileliu21hn.jpg

[ch1le]

ew... i dont like it:( the first render is somewhat ok... but the second, ew...

[LatvianGG]

The surrounding seems only just a bit..... empty (?) ....

Interesting architecture though. ;)

[Gatis]

Not boring at all. This thingie might look a bit different when ready - and may be cool.

[chukchi]

I don't like that building. It's like it is missing something

[liutass]

New Kaunas city projection

http://members.lycos.co.uk/attackeris/miestai/vilijampole.JPG

Stage of the project: investment concept
Geographical location: the New Bridge Business Area
is located in the Vilijampole district, in the central part
of Kaunas close to the Old Town. The New Bridge area
lies at the confluence of the two largest Lithuanian
rivers – the Nemunas and the Neris, on the right bank
of both rivers, 13 km from the airport
Investment environment: the New Bridge area, because
of its good location, is one of the most valuable parts of
Kaunas although connections with other parts of the city
aren’t good. The planned area consists of three plots:
a park at the riverbank, bus parking and garage area, a
large area of industrial and infrastructure buildings. It is
surrounded by residential low-rise dwellings and sparsely
located industrial areas. On the opposite side of the Neris
River lie the remains of the Kaunas Castle, surrounded
by churches and other valuable buildings of the Old
Town – the Town Hall, the Archbishops Palace, museums,
restaurants and art galleries
Juridical status of the property: 1st plot – state owned
forest, city park. The 2nd plot is owned by the municipality,
rented to a bus company. The 3rd plot is owned or rented by
various private companies and enterprises
Infrastructure conditions: Radondvario Rd, Brastos St
(4 lanes), the Vilijampoles Bridge (2 lanes). Connections
to the other main parts and residential areas of Kaunas
are rather poor. A major engineering network exists but it
must be reconstructed, increasing capacity
Architectural regulations: zone of urban monument
protection; conditions of monument protection are
compulsory
Construction type: new
Territorial use: recreational
Territorial area: 1st plot – 24 ha, 2nd plot – 16 ha,
3rd plot – 27 ha
Building potential: the 1st plot can be built up with
a leisure park and sports buildings – 53 000 sq.m,
commercial buildings – 25 000 sq.m. The 2nd plot can
be built up with commercial buildings – 20 000 sq.m,
recreational – 10 000 sq.m, public – 30 000 sq.m,
residential – 10 000 sq.m. The 3rd plot can be built up
with commercial buildings – 30 000 sq.m, public – 5 000
sq.m, reconstructed industrial buildings – 20 000 sq.m
Permitted height: 28 m
Parking: 200 000 sq.m within the plots
Parking places: 8 000
Common area of the buildings: gross area of the
buildings – approx. 200 000 sq.m
Investments: approx. € 116 mln.
Project author: not chosen
Construction period: 2005–2010

[Gatis]

116 mio EUR and the scale of the project in the rendering do not fit. It looks rather like 1160 mio EUR project. Interesting, who stands behind it?

[liutass]

116 mio EUR and the scale of the project in the rendering do not fit. It looks rather like 1160 mio EUR project. Interesting, who stands behind it?
Cha, mistake, maybe :) It is a vision for investors where to invest so the figures are aproximate.

I like the arial view of Kaunas old town though...

[liutass]

New residential area plan in 2006 over Kaunas waterfront

http://img95.exs.cx/img95/8181/krantas18tw.jpg

[Geex]

New residential area plan in 2006 over Kaunas waterfront

http://img95.exs.cx/img95/8181/krantas18tw.jpg

Nice one. Are this project approved or just proposed?

[liutass]

This is a privat land and private project. Municipality has to approve it's project. Not approval yet but hopefully will be

[Gatis]

So so so.... Such large things should not happen unnoticed. The nearest tower seems to have 24 - 25 floors. Two feelings about this project:
1. Very very large. Veeery large for Baltics.
2. Early stage of planning - just a set of pieces of layered cake thrown here and there. Detailed design will take at least 1,5 years more and afterward the project will be implemented step by step.

Anyway - seems, Kaunas is waking up!

[liutass]

So so so.... Such large things should not happen unnoticed. The nearest tower seems to have 24 - 25 floors. Two feelings about this project:
1. Very very large. Veeery large for Baltics.
2. Early stage of planning - just a set of pieces of layered cake thrown here and there. Detailed design will take at least 1,5 years more and afterward the project will be implemented step by step.

Anyway - seems, Kaunas is waking up!

Fortunately, this project is very real, as well as this


http://members.lycos.co.uk/attackeris/miestai/kaunas.JPG

[Oberleutnant]

How real exactly? :) Has the city approved it and is the zoning process underway or done already?

[liutass]

How real exactly? :) Has the city approved it and is the zoning process underway or done already?

city approved zoning and the land is privat. So they have land, money and eagerness to build, city approves residential+commercial buildings. If investor don't chang their mind we will see construction sites in 2006.

[SkeiTeriS]

New residential buildings
Construction started yesterday :)

http://www.yitkausta.lt/lt/main/housing/projects?ID=16
http://img60.exs.cx/img60/5485/karige_01.gif

http://img60.exs.cx/img60/91/karige_02.gif

http://img60.exs.cx/img60/9760/karige_04.gif

http://img60.exs.cx/img60/8931/karige_05.gif

[SkeiTeriS]

New Sport Arena, 12 000 places

http://www.kaunodiena.lt/files/Nuotraukos/12/122402.jpg

http://www.abacus-architects.lt/content/pict/800x600/sporto4.jpg

http://www.abacus-architects.lt/content/pict/800x600/sporto1.jpg

[LatvianGG]

Good news for Kaunas and "Zalgiris" :D ! I have to admit that the arena looks kinda strange from outside.

[John]

Kaunas finally starts to show some actual signs of development what is a very good thing :)
As for me, I'm impatiently waiting for the high-rise projects to be approved and started to build.

[Monkey]

city approved zoning and the land is privat. So they have land, money and eagerness to build, city approves residential+commercial buildings. If investor don't chang their mind we will see construction sites in 2006.

Let's hope they won't change their mind & stick to their plans! :angel1:

[Nedas]

Hello everybody :hi: :hi: :hi:

Nice Threat !

[blimey]

Hey, Nedai.

Sveikas atvykes :)

[Nedas]

Sveikas :) blimey, kuri laika skaitinejau o daba nusprendziau prisijunkt ! :)

[chukchi]

Labas Nedai. Smagu, kad prisijungia vis daugiau tautieciu :cheers:

[Nedas]

swx :) chukchi ir labanakt nes jau velu :)

[joker]

Those renders of the arenas' inside are wrong. They are from the old project, that was not selected.
These are renders of approved arena

http://images.bite.lt/banga/files/club/41a9ea9d83d6d.jpg

http://andernetas.lt/logys/greendeath/kita/rumai1.jpg

http://andernetas.lt/logys/greendeath/kita/rumai2.jpg

[pablonis]

some foreign investors proposed A 20 000 SEET arena in kaunas, they are now looking for an operator who could manadge whole complex, (there will be few buildings besides arena) it is said that its 400 mln litas (~130 mln euro) project and is very real and when built, it will be one of the biggest arenas in whole world, so kaunas will have 1rst and 3rd largest arenas in northern and eastern europe and biggest arena in europe (bigger for zalgiris kaunas and smaller for atletas kaunas, i think atletas plans to get back their past glory and be a major team in europe and zalgiris thinks that euroleague level is too low and plans to join NBA :D :D ), in lithuanian forum it is known for some time, but i didnt seen it posted here :)

[vytauc]

20 000 for Kaunas? I don't think it's realistic. 8000-10000 would be just enough IMO.

[Oberleutnant]

20,000 seat capacity arena sounds almost as far-fetched as a 500 meter skyscraper in Kalingrad. Now, if it is a stadium with an open roof, it's more plausible. You certain you're not mixing stadium and arena?

[John]

Pabloni, where you got this info from? I don't think there are chances to build a 20,000 seat arena in Kaunas, it doen't make sense, it would be filled perhaps only during the Eurobasket tournament in 2011 and otherwise it would be nearly or half-empty :|

[pablonis]

i thought that you wouldnt believe me, im not mixing it with stadium, there is a same crazy reaction in lithuanian forum (miestai.net), i think in lithuania it is pretty possible, because we are crazy about basketball and in article posted in lithuanian forum it is said that mostly it will be used for conserts of superstars, they said that they chosed kaunas because of a great infrastructure possibilities and connection with other countrys and cities and those superstars when touring europe could also visit that arena and atract peoples from baltics, poland and other nearby countrys, so it wouldnt only be used for basketball, also a huge exhibition center planed near arena (60000 square metres) and some other buildings, at first when i saw i also didnt believed and only thinking for few minutes made me change my mind, it is pretty possible
oberlautenant: there are plans of building similar size arenas in paris and london in future and for now, biggest arenas are in belgrade, prague, madrid, athens, and stocholm, they are all about 15,000 - 16,000 seets

[pablonis]

well this is an article about that arena, but its not the one which i was talking about, but its pretty similar:

http://www.miestai.net/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=155&Itemid=27

srry for lithuanian language
in article it is said that company made 100+ pages buisness plan, there are some big companys mentioned involving this project if its true (as i think) it will be complete in 18 - 24 moths, it would create 2,000 new working places and many more things said there

[SkeiTeriS]

Mm today at "Kauno Diena" Two upcoming arenas are fighting in Kaunas
http://www.kaunodiena.lt/lt/?id=6&aid=25314

KD wrote that foreign investors plan to build new 20 000 places arena and 60 000 m2 exposition center. This project should be finished untill 2008.

I thint that there can be not real project..

[John]

Thanks guys, it's indeed very interesting, although still hard to believe. Anyway it would be great to have an arena of such size in Kaunas. After all Kaunas is the basketball capital of Europe :D

[Oberleutnant]

Stop and think it for a moment.

Yes, Lithuania loves basketball. How much does it atract people, who go to watch it on spot, in Kaunas? 20 000? Doesn't sound plausible.

How many times in week would they play there?

Not that many.

How many events would be organized there per month?

Not that many.

What use would the OTHER arena be, the one with 12 000 (and to correct your "facts", it wouldn't be third largest in northern europe, even if this magical 20 000 arena is built), if this huge thing gets built?


One of the largest, if not the largest, existing basketball arenas in Europe is in Belgrad. It also has capacity for 20 000. Kaunas and Belgrad, however, are not comparable in terms of size or importance.


I remain very doubtful about the changes of getting a 20 000 capacity arena to Kaunas. If it gets built . . . *shrugs*





Edit

oberlautenant: there are plans of building similar size arenas in paris and london in future and for now, biggest arenas are in belgrade, prague, madrid, athens, and stocholm, they are all about 15,000 - 16,000 seets

Globen and Hartwall arena are the largest in Nordic countries, and they both have capacity for slightly under 14,000 people.

North America has several arenas that are far larger. In Europe, Germany alone has many arenas that can hold 16,000 or more (Gelsenkirchen, Köln, Hamburg . . .) and so on.

[John]

^^^
I agree with all your points here, two arenas in Kaunas of 10,000-12,000 and 20,000 seats is absolutely unbelievable and doesn't make sense IMO.
Anyway we'll see if they're serious about that. One thing is sure - Kaunas needs a big (10,000+ seats) arena asap :)

[Moolio]

Globen and Hartwall arena are the largest in Nordic countries, and they both have capacity for slightly under 14,000 people.


Remember Ober, though, that 20'000-seat basketball arena is not the same thing as 20'000-seat hockey arena. BB arenas are smaller, because the playing field takes a lot less space.

I do agree, however, that the project doesn't sound very credible. The arena would be the same size as N-American ones.

[pablonis]

belgrade arena has 16,000, not 20,000, i forgot to mention those in germany, and for egzample when zalgiris played lietuvos rytas in siemens arena(10,000+) tickets were sold out more than a week before the game, that project really seems incredible, but look at porto city (portugal) ~0,5 mln people (as i think) and has mhm what? maybe 4 or 5 huge football stadiums (20,000+)

[Geex]

@Pablonis i know this project, but they will only build 20,000-seat arena if Kaunas municipality will not build planed 12,000-seat arena in Kaunas island.

But if 12,000-seat arena will be builded (which is planed to do until 2006 or 2008? I forgot ;)) they will not build this arena in Kaunas, because it will be unprofitable.

So now Kaunas can get 20,000-seat arena or 12,000-seat arena ;)

[Gatis]

I know that for Riga this would be big challenge to keep Riga Arena busy. It will have some 13 000 seats if I remember correctly. Many experts doubt that it will be profitable although there is established agency which already now organises schedule of events in 2006, 2007 and 2008 to keep arena busy. Having one of even five events sold out throughout the year is not enough, there is need to fill these 13 000 seats with people weekly or even more often. That's why the arena is multifunctional. Building plain ice hockey or even sports hall of such size would be budgetary suicide in Riga. Arena will be used for concerts, conferences, dance festivals etc.

This is one reason why Baltics may never have Olympic games. Someday we might be rich enough to host them. But all this mega-sized sports infrastructure would be of no use after the games.
But I do not know about Kaunas and basketball - may be here it is possible?

[ch1le]

i agree, even the "saku Suurhall" returns a loss every year... and its alot smaller then the ones mentioned here...

[NorthStar77]

This is one reason why Baltics may never have Olympic games. Someday we might be rich enough to host them. But all this mega-sized sports infrastructure would be of no use after the games.


Well, Lillehammer(and it's neighbours) hosted winter olympics in 1994. In all, that region only has around 160.000 people. The different arenas are still in use. For example, the bob-sleigh is used as a tourist attraction, offering rides that are not THAT fast as those in the olympics(I have tried this myself). In summer, they put wheels on the sleigh, so it is in use all year. The huge vikingship-shaped arena used for distance skating, is now hosting all sorts of events, including the biggest data-party in Norway. So with a little creative thinking, I think it is possible to find ways to use it after the olympics:)

[tech]

In Kaunas to watch basketball would come 20 000 as well, people from all over Lithuania comes to watch Žalgiris games, and latvians also comes... But this project of 20000 seats arena is only cheat. 12 000 will be built until 2007

[SkeiTeriS]

New Intermodal Terminal in Kaunas - cost 450 000 000 Euro
Approved yesterday.

Some renders of terminal:
http://www.abacus-architects.lt/content/pict/800x600/palemon5.jpg

http://www.abacus-architects.lt/content/pict/800x600/palemon4.jpg

http://www.abacus-architects.lt/content/pict/800x600/palemon2.jpg

http://www.abacus-architects.lt/content/pict/800x600/palemon1.jpg

http://www.abacus-architects.lt/content/pict/800x600/palemon3.jpg

[ch1le]

/\ WTF is that?! International terminal for? Looks cool though and 450 mio euro is ALOT

[SkeiTeriS]

International Terminal will be a modern transport, industry and logistic center :)

[ch1le]

a Terminal for what? Trains? Airplanes? Buses? Or is it just a big building with a name like that and will be something like a academy?

[John]

^^^
Basically it's a massive logistics terminal. The main point is that it will be built on the main junctions of Rail Baltica and Via Baltica so it will serve both railway and road transportation. The idea is great but we'll have to wait and see what actually is gonna be built there, I guess they'll also try to attract some private investors.

[Oberleutnant]

You certain about the cost?

"According to original plan, the Rail Baltica, would be built along the eastern edge of Kaunas. A terminal would be constructed in Karmelava, 15 kilometers north of Kaunas. The terminal’s expected cost is 1.192 million litas (345 MM EUR)."

- http://www.balticsworldwide.com/wkcrier/daily_news.htm

Of course, the article is from last January.

[SkeiTeriS]

/\ Yes, 1,5 milliard Litas, or ~430 milion Euro
http://www.kaunodiena.lt/lt/?id=6&aid=25762

[Kim André]

Wow, that terminal building complex is really something. Looks very high-tech and modern. :banana2: Sure hope it will be reality some day.

Interesting to follow the development of Kaunas, I'd better sign up for this thread :)

[John]

Pictures of Kaunas development model (thanks to 99 from Lithuanian urban forum) for MIPIM '05 exhibition in Cannes. The scaled model of Kaunas city center and its projects was shown today for the first time, creating the model costed about 60,000 Euros

New universal arena (capacity 12,000+) seen in the lower left on the river island
http://img202.exs.cx/img202/6204/pristatymas023fm.jpg


3 biggest projects of Kaunas - Nemunas Island development (arena), "Domus Mea" residential quarter with highrises by the riverfront and "Gintariskes" residential highrise quarter further away
http://img215.exs.cx/img215/2874/pristatymas044hp.jpg

"Domus Mea" residential quarter
http://img202.exs.cx/img202/3183/pristatymas122cm.jpg


5 biggest Lithuanian cities + Elektrenai (small town between Vilnius and Kaunas) are gearing up for the MIPIM '05 exhibition in Cannes, there are new video films about all projects which are not online yet.

[Gatis]

Riga this year is not going to MIPIM again... Elected deputies decided that this investment is not worth.
Regarding Kaunas - I like the quality of model - it looks very pleasant. The trees remind lines of city lights in evening. Regarding the proposed projects - rather interesting, lets see later more in detail what is behind these.

[Dziki REX]

20.000 places arena is quite huge but it cost huge money and the cost of upkeep is although big. If it would be fore the grater part of the year empty it would be better to build smaller arena especially that most of Baltic arenas have 10.000-15.000 places.

[pablonis]

only one arena is 10.000 - 15.000 (siemens in vilnius), tallinn surhula(?) is a bit smaler

[ch1le]

Saku suurhall is the name :D

[liutass]

1. Nemunas Island development (arena) + Akropolis will start construction this spring
2. "Domus Mea" residential quarter with highrises by the riverfront - this/next year will be U/C
http://img95.exs.cx/img95/8181/krantas18tw.jpg

3. "Gintariskes" residential highrise quarter further away - this/next year will be U/C
http://www.bra.lt/foto/DAUGIAAUKSCIAI3.jpg
http://www.bra.lt/foto/DAUGIAAUKSCIAI1.jpg
http://www.bra.lt/foto/DAUGIAAUKSCIAI2.jpg

4. MEGA mall is U/C
http://www.balticshoppingcenters.com/img/t1b.jpg
http://www.balticshoppingcenters.com/img/t3b.jpg
http://www.balticshoppingcenters.com/img/t4b.jpg
http://www.balticshoppingcenters.com/img/t5b.jpg

[Monkey]

Too bad Domus Mea is all flat-tops! :bash: I also deplore the mega-mall. :(

But I'm happy you don't call your projects Garden City or Park Plaza. :cool:

But what an enormous amount of projects for Kaunas! :)

[SkeiTeriS]

New residential highrise quarter - up to 20 floors
Construction is starting this spring

http://img55.exs.cx/img55/6048/sanciai016sm.jpg

http://img55.exs.cx/img55/3961/sanciai027yo.jpg

[SkeiTeriS]

New office building

http://img207.exs.cx/img207/6739/image0065aj.jpg

Or this variant:
http://img83.exs.cx/img83/8478/image0104vi.jpg


Reconstruction of Cecenijos square and fountain

http://img207.exs.cx/img207/2985/fontanas8db.jpg

[Mantas]

Both projects for the first place suck :(

[sander]

International terminal looks awesome :drool:. Megamall looks better than average mall, but still it`ll waste a lot of room and is hostile environment to pedestrian. Domus Mea looks pleasant, altough it`d need more variety.

[Mantas]

A construction of a new residential district of 11 houses in Kaunas has begun. There will be 5 7floorers, 5 17floorers and 1 23floorer. The district is going to be constructed in stages (too bad they start from the groundlickers 7floorers and end with the key tower ;)). The dates aren't clear yet.

http://bustuva.lt/verkiu/visual/03.jpg

http://bustuva.lt/verkiu/visual/07.jpg

[_alonso_]

...double post..

[_alonso_]

great news!

[Aiwa]

New apartaments in Vytauto prospektas :)
http://img98.echo.cx/img98/1031/vytautoprospekte1ka.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

[ch1le]

/\ those look promising, and seems to create a urban structure! KEep doing stuff like this not like the one uc :(

[SkeiTeriS]

/\ this complex is u/c now ;)

[liutass]

New office building
http://www.merko.lt/get.php?i.14849:w.200:h.200
http://img355.imageshack.us/img355/9625/img03882vm.jpg
http://img355.imageshack.us/img355/6016/img03906bg.jpg

[Aiwa]

A 12 floores residental building called "Sakura" . I is under construction now.
http://www.centromera.lt/sakura/get.php?i.14:h.591:w.886
18 floores residental tower. also U/C
http://www.europosturtas.com/images/03-T.jpg
10 floores building in city center U/C
http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/4425/malunbokstelisstatomas4ww.png

[Svajoklis]

I am glad Kaunas has resisted the temptation to build constantly, needlessly upwards - but again I have my normal reservations about the sustainability of some of these projects.

[Gatis]

http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/4425/malunbokstelisstatomas4ww.png
Is that the tower of Kaunas castle?
If so... then this is way too close to Old City. (even inside it)

[Whose Homepage]

I agree. MUCH too close! :(

[Edd]

That tower is not of Kaunas castle, it is defence tower and it is also known as "millers tower". Investors who will build new building will reconstruct this tower and defence wall. The place is not in old town but at the border of it (I think where old town meets newtown district, maybe those who know better can say more). Here are some photos by Liutas of the place:
http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/2444/imgp34355mg.jpg

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/1383/imgp34400tn.jpg

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/9295/imgp34390nc.jpg

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/9452/imgp34361kw.jpg

[Gatis]

Aha, that's completely different place :)
When I was at Kaunas castle in 2002 - this place was surprising. Nearly totally abandoned but with some very special feel. There was also one Gothic church of brick (not the renovned cathedral but another one) which emitted some feel of ancient times.

[Svajoklis]

I have never seen this tower before! How old is it?

[John]

I think it's going to be the sexiest modern building in Kaunas no any other city could be ashamed of, so no need to whine about that :)

[Whose Homepage]

Edd, thanks for once again setting us straight. :okay:

And liutass' photos are excellent, as usual. :)

[liutass]

Better quality of the pic
http://www.omni.lt/includes/img/330_320563_komentarai_virsus_kultura_architektura_kaunas_vidinis_2.jpg

[liutass]

Big shopping area "Akropolis" (over 65.000 sq. m.) in a centre of Kaunas

The place

http://www.kaunodiena.lt/files/Nuotraukos/11/111001.jpg


A few renderings
http://img201.exs.cx/img201/3497/akrop33on.jpg

http://img203.exs.cx/img203/2011/akrop20aw.jpg

http://img219.exs.cx/img219/9110/akrop18ml.jpg

http://img102.exs.cx/img102/6183/akrop49io.jpg

http://www.omni.lt/includes/img/330_270942_komentarai_virsus_architektura_kaunas_vidine_1.jpg

http://www.omni.lt/includes/img/330_270942_komentarai_virsus_architektura_kaunas_vidine_2.jpg


U/C
http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/9347/2005090612mx.jpg

http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/3763/2005090629xf.jpg

http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/2074/2005090636ww.jpg

http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/799/2005090640qr.jpg

http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/6981/2005090653hb.jpg

[liutass]

Former furniture factory conversion into living apartaments

The place

http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/8787/ktimagephp6zp.jpg

The renderings (from www.4plius.lt)
http://img479.imageshack.us/img479/4028/49mp.jpg

http://img493.imageshack.us/img493/21/36wy.jpg

http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/1970/23ra2.jpg

http://img456.imageshack.us/img456/7041/19zv.jpg

Before conversion

http://img177.exs.cx/img177/5383/imgp17843yz.jpg

http://img191.exs.cx/img191/2489/imgp17839bm.jpg

http://img179.exs.cx/img179/8929/imgp17810pz.jpg

http://img195.exs.cx/img195/4122/imgp17807kz.jpg

http://img199.exs.cx/img199/632/imgp17791nz.jpg


U/C

2005.01.25
http://img177.exs.cx/img177/5383/imgp17843yz.jpg

2005.03.23
http://img219.exs.cx/img219/5959/karige12mk.jpg

http://img204.exs.cx/img204/1108/karige26ov.jpg

http://img163.exs.cx/img163/3700/karige34fy.jpg

2005.02.24
http://img56.exs.cx/img56/5250/lietuviu2rl.jpg

2005.03.23

http://img149.exs.cx/img149/6676/karige65xs.jpg

http://img169.exs.cx/img169/5341/karige45pb.jpg

http://img181.exs.cx/img181/7215/karige50aa.jpg

http://img95.exs.cx/img95/6666/karige71uj.jpg

http://img234.exs.cx/img234/766/karige81wa.jpg

[liutass]

Former pharmacy factory conversion into living apartaments

The renderings

http://img273.echo.cx/img273/6196/vytautoprospekte8bn.jpg

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/9053/aaa5wv.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img167.echo.cx/img167/4832/sanitas10dv.jpg

Before

http://img235.exs.cx/img235/5333/018xp.jpg

http://img215.exs.cx/img215/1512/025mv.jpg

http://img58.exs.cx/img58/877/045er.jpg

http://img158.exs.cx/img158/807/067ik.jpg

http://img151.exs.cx/img151/5323/082wa.jpg

U/C

Mantaz picture

http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/7191/imgp51758er.jpg

GYARD-P pics

http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/5147/kaunas017resize0ky.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/8391/kaunas0223kl.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Whose Homepage]

Former furniture factory conversion into living apartaments



2005.02.24
http://img56.exs.cx/img56/5250/lietuviu2rl.jpg

2005.03.23

http://img149.exs.cx/img149/6676/karige65xs.jpg

http://img169.exs.cx/img169/5341/karige45pb.jpg

http://img181.exs.cx/img181/7215/karige50aa.jpg

http://img95.exs.cx/img95/6666/karige71uj.jpg

http://img234.exs.cx/img234/766/karige81wa.jpg

But where is the conversion if they simply tear that handsome yellow building down, Liutass? :(

And how about the 2-story brick building? :cry:

[liutass]

But where is the conversion if they simply tear that handsome yellow building down, Liutass? :(

And how about the 2-story brick building? :cry:

The yellow building is soviet type sport hall for workers. This factory was ugly in a very heart of green part of Kaunas (near Resurection church). Now it will turn to be hansom apartmaments suitable for confortable people living ;)

[Jarmo K]

glad to see kaunas constructing! (:

the brown? corner-building rocks!

[jimm]

This thread was once dead, but now is revived

[ch1le]

kaunas has been impressing me! really quite nice and urban projects! I love both these rejunevation projects!

[Whose Homepage]

The yellow building is soviet type sport hall for workers. This factory was ugly in a very heart of green part of Kaunas (near Resurection church). Now it will turn to be hansom apartmaments suitable for confortable people living ;)

Thank you again, liutass! :) And of course Resurrection Church deserves to have as many handsome buildings as possible in its surroundings. :okay:

[Svajoklis]

I really like the Akropolis project! It seems some thought has actually been given to the way people will interact with the space, and the way the building will interact with its surroundings. Well done Kaunas!

[SkeiTeriS]

Office building under renovation

Render:
http://www.verslocentras32.lt/img/sankryza.jpg

http://www.verslocentras32.lt/img/parkas_.jpg

Photos:
http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/4564/buit20cf.jpg

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/1421/buit8jr.jpg

[liutass]

Two new bridges over highway: one for pedestrians only another - both for cars and pedestrians (ovet to big shopping mall MEGA)

ALL PHOTOS MADE BY VILIUS

Pedestrian:
http://img308.imageshack.us/img308/1990/picture0159ws4dd.jpg

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/8329/picture0161vx7al.jpg

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/3734/picture0176os0ce.jpg

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/3421/picture0186gi4fp.jpg

http://img500.imageshack.us/img500/6765/picture0192me3rb.jpg

http://img474.imageshack.us/img474/6471/picture0211ov1xi.jpg

http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/5594/picture0227fi7am.jpg

http://img383.imageshack.us/img383/1231/picture0232ej6au.jpg

And to shopping mall:

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/6575/picture0328jn7ft.jpg

http://img308.imageshack.us/img308/7010/picture0333ud5wh.jpg

http://img474.imageshack.us/img474/9632/picture0303eu7fa.jpg

And here you can see both

http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/1857/img03691kh.jpg

And finished

http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/6507/img02500dv.jpg
http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/8329/img03703wr.jpg

[Mantas]

^^ Thanks for the photos :okay:

[liutass]

^^ Thanks for the photos :okay:

Thanks to Vilius :)

Yet another conversion: old former soviet garnizon (and even Russian Czar times garnizon) will turn to living apartaments:

http://www.nidulus.lt/daugiabutis/daugiabutis.jpg
http://www.nidulus.lt/daugiabutis/daugiabutis2.jpg

Now (special thanx to Fotikas)

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/Fotikas/Kaunas/PA050018.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/Fotikas/Kaunas/PA050010.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/Fotikas/Kaunas/PA050013.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/Fotikas/Kaunas/PA050014.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/Fotikas/Kaunas/PA050015.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/Fotikas/Kaunas/PA050016.jpg

[Whose Homepage]

Thank you, liutass! :)

And a big round of applause to Vilius and mainly Fotikas! :applause:

P.S. I hope the preserved garrison building will not appear so pink in the end, though. ;)

I'm also not totally convinced of the stuck-on extra floor with the mansard roof -- I hope they'll find a better integrated, more smoothly flowing transition. I can see the need for the extra floor from the investment/revenue point of view, but I think they ought to do better.

[Mantas]

^^ High time it's turned to. They really looked sad when I drove through that place few years ago :ohno:

[liutass]

P.S. I hope the preserved garrison building will not appear so pink in the end, though. ;)



Nope, they won't ;) The original architecture of fasades will be preserved

[Saulene]

Awesome updates in this thread. :) Thanks, guys! :)

[sander]

Cool that old garnizon gets new look. In Tallinn there are also such old military buildings near central area, what will be reconstructed in the future.

[Whose Homepage]

Nope, they won't ;) The original architecture of fasades will be preserved

What a relief! :happy:

[Aiwa]

10 floore residential building under construction:
http://domusmea.lt/baigtas2.jpg

[Svajoklis]

I won't say a word...

[blimey]

Not too bad, imo.

[Nedas]

I won't say a word...

And what do you have in mind ? What do you think about the project ? :)

[Dramblys]

The building is a bit boring, but its in a good location and the prices are cheaper than in Vilnius.

[Svajoklis]

Ach, I'll just say the same thing I say every time I see one of these kinds of buildings. What was the point of making so many sacrifices to shake of the yoke of Communism if you're going to continue to build Communist housing?

[Mantas]

if you're going to continue to build Communist housing?

I can't see where you find that communist. What do you expect? :?

[Svajoklis]

It's just a commieblock. A boring block with no discernible decorational features other than tacky tiling which will no doubt fall off after a couple of years. The building doesn't interact with its surroundings, and people aren't even allowed to have contact with the ground - instead, there's a car park. From a purely aesthetic point of view, a three-year-old could have designed this building.

What I expect is that nowadays the Lithuanian people would demand better than boxy, stand alone, dreary blocks of flats in which one could quite happily live in total oblivion of one's neighbours apart from occasionally banging on the ceiling/floor with a broomstick to tell them to turn the music down; what I expect is design which acknowledges the fact that Kaunas is a Northern European city with a considerable amount of snowfall and rainfall, and thus a flat roof isn't a very practical option as far as drainage is concerned; most of all what I expect is that in a few years these flats are going to be just as detested as the Soviet ones they are replacing.

[Whose Homepage]

Ah! A fellow flat-top hater! :)

[Gatis]

No need to darken the colors.
I think, Lithuanian people demand something that's affordable. It means simple architecture, not sophisticated one.
That building is not masterpiece but I think - it wouldn't be eyesore either. Look for the middle class apartment buildings built around the world - the same squarish flattops everywhere, including any North European city

[Spearman]

Ah! A fellow flat-top hater! :)
Count me into that club ;)
I shall be veeery careful to thrash highrises u/c here in S&B, though. It's not like we have a lot else to look at in stead...

[Whose Homepage]

^ ^ I know, I know! :D :runaway:

But I think we have plenty of other stuff to talk about. :)

[Mantas]

No need to darken the colors.
I think, Lithuanian people demand something that's affordable. It means simple architecture, not sophisticated one.
That building is not masterpiece but I think - it wouldn't be eyesore either. Look for the middle class apartment buildings built around the world - the same squarish flattops everywhere, including any North European city

Agreed :)

[NorthStar77]

The building itself is nothing special. But putting a garage on the first floor was a very bad idea! They should instead make an underground garage ofcourse.

[liutass]

This building developement

http://img479.imageshack.us/img479/4028/49mp.jpg

http://img495.imageshack.us/img495/4845/16oy.jpg

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/2426/57yq.jpg

[Whose Homepage]

The building itself is nothing special. But putting a garage on the first floor was a very bad idea! They should instead make an underground garage ofcourse.

OMG! :eek: I hadn't even noticed that -- a severe NO-NO! :bash:

@liutass: thanks for showing that new building! :)

I assume (hope ;) ) that the ground floor in this case consists of commercial space, not facilities for cars, right? :) Looks good! :okay:

[blimey]

That building in liutass's post is great :okay: Gotta love it.

[liutass]

Wizz Air starts its flights from Kaunas Int'nl Airport today (http://wizzair.com/index.shtml)
http://wizzair.com/images/kiro/logo.gif

[Aiwa]

A new, about 22 floores residential tower (proposed\aprooved) in Kaunas :
http://www.europosturtas.com/vizul/pramon/6.gif

[Svajoklis]

K-razy!

[Bizkit-D]

More pics from that building:

http://img456.imageshack.us/img456/4774/89kl.gif

http://img456.imageshack.us/img456/5420/70ov.gif

http://img378.imageshack.us/img378/755/98vm.gif

[SkeiTeriS]

Development of this project:
http://www.omni.lt/includes/img/330_320563_komentarai_virsus_kultura_architektura_kaunas_vidinis_2.jpg

http://img460.imageshack.us/img460/7798/13it.jpg

http://img460.imageshack.us/img460/5089/26mr.jpg

[Whose Homepage]

^^ They're not going to put that thing next to the Old City Wall? :eek:

[Svajoklis]

Didn't we have a discussion about this already? It's not the city wall I believe, but some structure from the 19th century.

[liutass]

Update of construction:

http://img308.imageshack.us/img308/2995/malunas8ah.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y146/jokeris/e134f07f.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y146/jokeris/cc297a34.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y146/jokeris/f42033ea.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y146/jokeris/73453678.jpg

Photos taken by Joker

[liutass]

Update

http://oh.ober-haus.com/photos/04c26461-bb32-4258-8672-517976e4e361/w315/OH49949-1.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d175/HAMMERiux/DSCF0941.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d175/HAMMERiux/DSCF0943.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d175/HAMMERiux/DSCF0945.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d175/HAMMERiux/DSCF0946.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d175/HAMMERiux/DSCF0948.jpg