Urban HUB campus to be built by YIT Lietuva near Kaunas

“SBA Urban” has chosen YIT Lietuva as its general contractor for the construction of the first stage of the new concept stock office campus Urban HUB. The value of the signed general contract is EUR 30 million. The first phase is expected to be completed in early 2024, and the first businesses will be located in the largest office, retail and logistics campus in the Baltic region by the middle of next year. 

The team for the success of an ambitious project

“Our projects are not about following but about creating a trend. To do this, we are looking for aesthetic architectural, sustainability and functional solutions with precision, and we need reliable partners to implement them. “Urban HUB” is the largest of its kind in the Baltic States. In selecting the general contractor, we appreciated the exceptional experience of the YIT Lietuva team in this specific sector, their professionalism and ability to deliver the work on time and to a high standard. The project is ambitious – from the scale to the sustainable solutions used here. It will also become one of the largest commercial projects to be awarded the BREEAM sustainability certificate,” says Giedrius Muliuolis, Head of “Urban HUB” at SBA Urban. 

The first phase of the project includes four buildings and the development of infrastructure for the region, and the other phases of “Urban HUB” development. The first buildings will have an area of 22,000 sqm and will house around 50 businesses. The spaces will be suitable for clients looking for a typical stock-office type of office, warehouse and retail space, as well as for those looking for a specialised space combining office and warehouse or retail and warehouse. The first phase will also include space for cafes and offices. 

“This project is close to our values – we are proud to contribute to the development of Kaunas and the development of a modern and sustainable commercial area. The project implementation period is ambitious, but we believe that the client’s trust and the already proven partnership with “SBA Urban” will justify the expectations and the construction works will be as efficient as in previous projects”, – says Kęstutis Vanagas, Head of Sustainable Urban Development and Construction Company “YIT Lietuva”. 

Infrastructure for the region in the first phase

Preparatory work is already underway on the project site. According to Rasa Pečiulaitė, Head of Real Estate Development at “Urban HUB”, the construction of the first phase covers a wide and complex range of real estate development.  

“By the beginning of next year, we plan to have the infrastructure up and running and customer-friendly as well. Thus, we will also install more than 500 parking spaces, internal roads, pedestrian and bicycle paths, green areas, small architecture, and a part of the internal alley for employees and customers to relax and have a pleasant experience in the town. We understand that modern businesses today need not only a place to work but also a people-friendly environment where people can work, shop and relax comfortably,” says R. Pečiulaitė. 

The first phase of the project will also include the installation of environmental infrastructure, such as the extension of the central water supply, sewage and rainwater networks, a heating route, and the installation of electrical and communication networks. In parallel, the A6 motorway is being overhauled, and an additional lane is being added to provide convenient access from Kaunas.  

The “Urban HUB” office, retail and logistics campus in the Kaunas district is the largest project of its kind in the Baltic region. Over 100 different types of businesses are planned to be housed in more than 70,000 sqm of space, and the investment in the project will reach EUR 100 million. In parallel to the Kaunas district project, “Urban HUB” is also being developed in Vilnius, near Ukmergės Street. The 22,000 sqm space will accommodate 30 businesses, ranging from small manufacturers and specialised suppliers to grocery stores, cafes and leisure spaces.

This is the second project that “SBA Group” is implementing with “YIT Lietuva” – just six months ago, the conversion of the factory of the soft furniture manufacturer “Kauno baldai” was completed together.

The architecture and concept of the multifunctional retail, office and warehouse campus for the “Urban HUB” projects in Kaunas and Vilnius were developed by the world-renowned Danish architectural studio “PLH Architects”.