Being a Good Match to Naujamiestis the Building will contribute to the Vilnius Representational Area under Formation

Already in 2009 the newly establishing building of the Embassy of the Republic of Finland on Kalinausko Street in Vilnius will contribute to the area of foreign missions under formation in the centre of the capital. Part of the new building, being a good match to the already existing built-up area, will function as commercial and private apartments. The implementation of the project will allow both restoring the built-up area and preserving the green spaces with the cosy square designed together with the rest areas.

“We truly believe that this project will grant new opportunities not just to our embassy, but firstly to the city and the residents of Vilnius, whereas the newly constructed building will become a harmonious stress for the centre of Vilnius”, said Mikko Paaso, Director for Real Estate Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Finland. According to him, to express the appreciation of good neighbourhood principles the Finnish Embassy will strive for smooth procedure of construction works to meet the requirements of high quality. With the establishment of another embassy close to the Registry of Marriages, the area of foreign missions will be on further development in Naujamiestis area.

According to Gediminas Tursa, director general of the real estate company E.L.L. Nekilnojamas turtas, the new building is an interesting and responsible project for that it shall conjoin the diplomatic missions, commercial and private apartments. Moreover, the new building shall be naturally integrated into the already existing architecture: its side façade will be joined to the modern building on J. Basanvičiaus Street by retaining its height. To create solid exterior of the building to match the surroundings, the combination of stone, greenish glass and oxidised copper will be invoked.

“Great focus will be given on the square located next to the building and in the course of the project implementation the greenery zone around the plot shall be preserved. In addition to that, after planting 20 oak-trees and around 260 hornbeams, the squares will be designed at the corners of the area. Moreover, certain rest places, pedestrian crossings, benches and bicycle holders will be equipped, as well as taking care of the lighting of the territory”, said       Mr G. Tursa. A modern and safe playground will be equipped for the children of residents from the neighbouring houses.

Construction works are to be completed in the beginning of 2009. During the performance of these works the traffic on the neighbouring streets will not be restricted and for the safety of pedestrians the construction site will be enclosed. The useful space of the new building makes up to around 3500 square metres and, moreover, to ensure the comfort for the residents of the building and other surrounding buildings a two-storey underground parking place will be fitted too, which shall fit up to 50 cars. According to the plan, the overall project investment will amount to 32 million LTL. The project will be executed by the real estate company E.L.L. Nekilnojamas turtas, the successful tenderer for the tender by the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as announced in June 2006.

International group ELL, operating in the Baltic region and having the real estate development company E. L. L. Nekilnojamas turtas under its control, has gained experience in the following projects of similar kind: in accordance with the latest safety requirements, in 2004-2005 it modernised the building of the U.S. Embassy in Tallinn (Estonia). Presently, E. L. L. Nekilnojamas turtas is implementing the project in Vilnius focused on the construction of the shopping and entertainment centre Panorama and in 2005 it opened the shopping centre Mandarinas.

Establishment history of Finnish missions in Lithuania (after 1990):

August 1991: diplomatic relations between Lithuania and Finland were restored after 50 years;

December 1991: Finnish Embassy moved to temporary premises;

July 1992: Finnish Embassy moved to the current premises on Klaipėdos Street , which, as it was found out afterwards, were not sufficient;

June 1998: it was decided to search for a plot of land to possibly construct a new building of the Finnish Embassy;

February 2001: Vilnius City decided to allot a plot of land to the Finnish Embassy;

January 2002: Finnish Embassy signed the contract on the purchase of the plot of land;

June 2006: announcement of the project executor following the tender and the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs signed the contract with the company “E. L. L. Nekilnojamas turtas”.