On 6 September, the EIKA Group officially opened the doors of Solo Society City House Vilnius, the largest co-living not only in Vilnius but also in Lithuania. EUR 17 million has been invested in the 269-room, almost 8,000 square metre, accommodation services project.
A global community comes together
As the first residents move in, a picture of the customer is emerging. Residents come from a very wide geographical spread – as many as 21 countries, from the USA to India, and proportionally we now have the largest number from France and Germany. There is also a large number of residents from Lithuania – not necessarily Lithuanians, but foreigners, the vast majority of whom already live in our country. The average age is 26 years; 59% of residents say they will study in Vilnius, 33% will work and 8% have other goals. According to Domas Dargis, CEO of EIKA, the concept of co-living is the solution of the future today. ‘As the emerging community shows, this type of accommodation is needed for people who are open to the world and do not yet feel the need to be bound by the obligations of a permanent place of residence. They boldly choose a different country or city to study or to work. On the other hand, when housing affordability becomes a headache, even globally, such an accommodation option becomes a real lifeline for a young professional,’ says Dargis.
Comfortable living in the heart of the city
Solo Society City House Vilnius is located in Šv. Stepono g. 33 – at the crossroads of the Old Town and New Town, from where you can reach the bus and railway stations in a few minutes, and the social and cultural life of the city centre on the other side. According to Karolis Gabartas, Head of Solo Society City House Vilnius, people who choose this co-living house value four advantages – cost savings, convenience, comfort and community. He explains further: ‘By paying a monthly fee, they live in an apartment with an integrated kitchen and bathroom, uses common facilities for studying, working and entertainment, such as a cinema hall, a games room, gyms and yoga rooms, a roof terrace and communal kitchens, as well as excellent Wi-Fi and bicycle storage. They do not have to worry about other charges such as utilities, electricity or internet; everything is conveniently paid for once a month through a special app.’
Privacy and community are encoded in the philosophy of Solo Society, which reflects the fundamental principles of co-living – plenty of private space where you can feel safe, but as soon as you step through the door of your own room, you enter spaces that encourage sociality and community. ‘These shared multipurpose spaces not only extend the boundaries of comfort, but also help to strengthen the social bonds of the community. After all, almost every person has a fresh start when they move in, and when you have people like them around you, the bonds of community and togetherness come very quickly,’ says K. Gabartas.
Solo Society City House Vilnius offers 269 rooms of various sizes. The most popular studio-type room is 17–20 sq m and costs EUR 570 per month for a 12-month contract. You can choose to stay from one to twelve months. All taxes are included in the price, and there are additional charges for extra services such as cleaning and living with a pet. The communal areas are 1,500 sq m. The residents do not have keys and all door locks are controlled by an app with a card or phone. The guests will only enter the building with the knowledge of the resident.
Artistic accents and go to the bar wearing slippers
On the facade of the building is an art installation by artist Antanas Dubra, which uses emoji icons – work, home, relationships and diversity – to convey the essence of this home.
Solo Society City House Vilnius has managed to attract the Pilates Studio Honey to the leased commercial premises, which has already started its activities, and the cocktail bar Nick and Nora, already established in the Old Town, and which will open a bar Grand Central by Nick and Nora in the co-living house. Residents will be able to access the bar from inside the building and meet guests from outside as the bar is open to everyone. The final leases are currently being negotiated. It is hoped that we will be able to provide an even wider range of services for day-to-day living.
