The first Urban HUB business city opens, setting a record
SBA Group’s business and retail city Urban HUB in Vilnius district officially opened its doors to visitors, along with more than 10 new shopping, entertainment and service businesses. Over 30 international and local businesses are expected to open in the 22,000 sqm complex. The opening event, attended by a large community gathering, also set a record in Lithuania for the largest strawberry art installation.
Giedrius Muliuolis, Head of Urban HUB: ‘The concept of the Urban HUB projects has been distinctive from the beginning. Due to its strategic location, unique architecture, and focus on business synergies, the project has become a prominent part of the emerging business community in the direction of Ukmergė. Having started construction just one year ago, we are already opening our doors today with the confidence of the businesses, financial partners and the community that will be based here. We have invested over EUR 30 million in the project, with over 50% of the space already leased and around 300 jobs created in the Vilnius District. Urban HUB will become an integral part of the region, and we believe it will act as a catalyst for business expansion’.
According to Muliuolis, when creating a project of this magnitude in the ever-growing Vilnius District, much attention has been devoted to the community living here and its needs. Together with the Vilnius District Municipality team, the best solutions were continuously sought to ensure that the project contributes to developing sustainable and valuable infrastructure.
Robert Duchnevič, Mayor of Vilnius District Municipality: ‘This project is another example of a successful investment in our municipality and a significant step for the economic development of both Vilnius District and Lithuania. The business and retail city in Avižienių Eldership will not only enrich the offer of goods and services to the residents and visitors of the district but also create many new jobs. I am especially pleased that the project development team has actively engaged with residents, considering their expectations and addressing the issues that have arisen, including improving the surrounding area’s infrastructure. I am confident that Urban HUB will become a popular place for shopping and leisure time, meeting friends and family, and participating in various events’.
Record-breaking artistic installation: “The strawberry of strawberries”
Visitors and guests witnessed an exceptional art installation at the opening event, setting Lithuania’s record. The agency Rekordų Akademija, which registers the records achieved in Lithuania, officially recorded the largest artistic installation made of strawberries, created especially for the opening of Urban HUB. It is a 2.45-meter tall, 1.99-meter diameter sculpture decorated with 3,000 pieces (50 kg) of Lithuanian strawberries gifted by the Rimi supermarket. The strawberries symbolise the true essence of summer—the strawberry. The artistic installation was created by the SBA Group company Šilutės Baldai.
Muliuolis concludes: ‘We did not choose the strawberry-themed art installation for the opening event by chance. It becomes a symbol of the project’s core idea. We designed Urban HUB as a space and platform for businesses to establish themselves, including those in retail, services, entertainment, dining, and even manufacturing. We sought to create synergies between the companies, to offer a wide range of services and goods to the clients visiting here, and to provide them with the opportunity to find everything they need for a convenient shopping experience right here. The art installation symbolises the same concept – a base where real strawberries are closely nestled, complementing the whole artwork and giving it life and a feeling of comfort – just like the businesses in Urban HUB’.
Urban HUB in Vilnius opened its doors alongside several key businesses, including the Rimi supermarket, Paulini laundry service, Camelia pharmacy, tool rental company Storent, pet supplies store Cozzzy, café Kavos Laikas, beauty studio Kruela, beverage shop BroAlco, home décor store Nooru Home, children’s playroom Lemūro Pramogos, and tools shop Zereda. Coming soon in August, the A2 Vilnius Padel Academy and Banga Ramp Park extreme sports facility will also open its doors. Additionally, TakeOnline brokerage services, orthopaedic services and the Latvian telecommunications company LMT LV are in the process of setting up their spaces.
