The international hotel chain’s first hotel in Vilnius, “Hilton Garden Inn“, will open its doors in 2018. In July of this year, the hotel network signed a contract with real estate developer “Eika”, which plans to build a 150-room hotel in Gediminas Avenue.
Construction of the four-star “Hilton Garden Inn” will start in the beginning of 2017 and is planned to be opened in the end of 2018. The contract with the international “Hilton Worldwide” network was written on the basis of a franchise, and negotiations are currently under way with the hotel’s potential future operators.
Vilnius mayor Remigijus Šimašius congratulated the “Hilton Worldwide” hotel chain on its decision and on the “EIKA” company’s investment in the new project. “The establishment of a high-class hotel and the opening of a new business in the heart of Vilnius is significant for the entire city and its residents. This also symbolises the rebirth of the part of Gediminas Avenue that runs between the Seimas parliamentary hall and Lukiškės Square, which is currently being renovated. This international name that chose Vilnius will increase the capital’s attractiveness and will attract more tourists, encourage the formation of new flight routes, and attract more international events to the capital,” said R. Šimašius.
During a presentation of the project, Domas Dargis, CEO of the “EIKA group” that will be developing the new hotel, said that the flow of tourists to Vilnius, which is growing every year, and the fact that Vilnius’ hotels have some of the highest occupancy in Europe indicated that this was a very good time to invest. “We had been considering developing a hotel project on Gediminas Avenue for almost three years. A study performed by international consultants helped us decide on the right size, format, network and brand. The decision to develop the hotel was determined by the project’s location, the market situation and professionals’ recommendations,” said D. Dargis.
According to “Hilton Worldwide” senior vice-president Patrick Fitzgibbon, who is responsible for development in Europe, the Near East and Africa, the Baltic states currently have very high potential due to their high occupancy rates. This is why the hotel chain made the decision to open a hotel in Vilnius.
“The hotel “Hilton Garden Inn” that will open its doors in Gediminas Avenue will be very convenient and attractive for business-class clients. We think that this format is the most appropriate given the project’s location. In hotels like this, there are business zones that work around the clock, where guests can work. The hotel’s entire territory will be covered by especially fast Wi-Fi internet. Every room will have a work desk and ergonomic furniture. Gym will be open at all hours for active hotel guests“ said the senior vice-president, explaining the hotel’s advantages.
The hotel will be part of an 18,000-squared-metre multi-functional complex that will also include a business centre, retail gallery, cafés, restaurants, a luxury apartment building and an open public space. There will be a two-story underground parking lot under the territory that will be open to both local residents and guests. According to the CEO of “EIKA”, it will be one of the most interesting projects in Vilnius’ history because it will open a new point of interest on the part of Gediminas Avenue between Lukiškės Square and the Seimas parliamentary hall.
An international architecture competition has been announced to create a unique vision for the complex. The main task for the architects is to harmonize different functional parts of the complex, integrating the buildings with Gediminas Avenue, incorporating the early 20th-century building in Dainavos Street, and creating functional plans for pedestrian and automobile zones.
“Hilton Worldwide” hotel chain vice-president Mike Collini, who is responsible for development in Turkey, Russia and Eastern Europe, arrived to Lithuania to present the project. During a press conference, the representative of “Hilton Worldwide” had also announced the company’s plan to open its first “Hilton Garden Inn” in Latvia in Riga’s old town.
More information:
Head of marketing and communication
Raimonda Janušonytė
Tel. +370 520 45809
Huw Harrow
Hilton Worldwide – EMEA
+44 207 856 8035