The VILNIAUS DŽIAZAS housing project in Vilnius’ Old Town is set to be completed soon

In the coming months, one of the most highly anticipated real estate projects will be completed in the southern part of the Old Town in the capital – the Vilniaus Džiazas complex on K. Vanagėlio Street. This development will comprise 60 exclusive apartments, a unique interwar administrative building that has been adapted to meet modern needs, a square named after the writer Ričardas Gavelis, new connections between historic districts and a distinctive atmosphere.

The history of Vilniaus Džiazas began in the summer of 2021 in the former DoArchitects studio in the Old Town. At that time, the complex between K. Vanagėlio and Drujos Streets was still known as Vanagėlio Namai (Vanagėlio Houses), but the project was set apart by the experience of developer Gediminas Turso, who once purchased the legendary Pylimo Street ‘egg’ from the residents of Užupis at auction, his artistic soul, and countless other details.

It is therefore not surprising that the name ‘Vilniaus Džiazas’, coined by the Ober-Haus team, immediately stuck to this complex. ‘On the one hand, it was a tribute to Ričardas Gavelis’s entire body of work and to a specific novel about the search for meaning among young Vilnius residents. On the other hand, the entire project team was constantly ‘jamming’ in search of something that would create a sense of timeless uniqueness for future residents,” says Sandra Grinkienė, Ober-Haus NT project manager.

Therefore, during the design phase, the layouts, exits to the terraces, proximity to the elegant interwar building and apartment furnishing solutions had to be revised several times, as did many other details. Those who worked with G. Tursa on this project will generally confirm thatVilniaus Džiazas was created with a focus on quality, comfort, timelessness and pride in everyday life. This led to improvisations in the search for these qualities.

However, just as in jazz music, where improvisation does not interfere with the structure or chord sequences, certain features of Vilniaus Džiazas remained unchanged. Notably, these include the 4.4 m high ceilings and 4 m high windows, which are extremely rare in new housing projects.

Such ceilings evoke a feeling and an emotion; they provide a space to dream. They are grandeur, somewhat reminiscent of a church. Buyers of such apartments do not mind slightly higher heating bills. They believe that having more space for dreams and ideas will enable them to earn more. So let’s not be afraid to dream,’ said project developer G. Tursa.

Another key element of Vilniaus Džiazas was the high-quality finishing materials and technologies used. The developer’s experience played a major role here. G. Tursa developed projects such as Senamiesčio Dominija, Sapiegos Dominija, Gaono 8, Embassy House and Pliaterių Rūmai, and he still receives thanks from long-time residents for the timeless, meticulous design of their homes.

“No matter what project I take on, my motto is to do it as if it were for myself. That’s why there are no compromises on quality at Vilniaus Džiazas. It’s important to me that the homes we build are sustainable and as timeless as possible, and that they are aesthetically pleasing so the families living in them feel good and comfortable. I do my utmost to ensure that my projects have long-term value — the same value that our ancestors’ ancient buildings have today,” says G. Tursa, sharing his work philosophy.

A jazzy environment

The surviving historic buildings of the Vilnius Jazz complex and the neighbouring plots are worthy of separate stories. The complex is being developed in the vicinity of the Rasų colony, which was expanded over a century ago by the banker, philanthropist and visionary Juozapas Montvila. This unique historical suburb of Vilnius features perimeter development, free planning, city villas and stone pavements.

Earlier still, this and neighbouring areas were home to parks and gardens belonging to the Čapskis family. Between the current Lapų and Vanagėlių streets stood the English-style park of the manor of Baron von René. According to Andrė Baldišiūtė, the lead architect of the Vilnius Jazz project and one of the founders of the Do Architects studio, this prestigious area began to fall into disuse during the Soviet era, when factories and other infrastructure atypical of today’s city centres were established around the Old Town, which had been destroyed in the war. The connections between the districts were further severed by the construction of the wide Drujos Street almost two decades ago.

‘Fortunately, the city’s attitude towards the centre has already changed, so Vilnius Jazz, together with the square being built here, the pedestrian and bicycle paths, and the cosy commercial street, is extending and even expanding the actual Old Town, restoring its once severed connections with Rasos and other districts,’ says A. Baldišiūtė.

Another jazz melody was heard during archaeological research. During the summer of 2022, a real treasure was discovered at the Vilnius Jazz site: around 500 coins minted between the 15^(th) and 20^(th) centuries, including coins bearing the image of Sigismund Augustus, as well as rare four-groschen and obol coins. Three gold seals bearing the coat of arms of the English Tudor dynasty were also found, attesting to the high quality of the fabrics. Three gilded seals bearing the Tudor coat of arms, attesting to the highest quality of the fabrics, were also found. Although part of this plot’s history has already been handed over to the National Museum of Lithuania, some equally interesting heritage has survived and been given a new lease of life.

This part of the site’s history has been handed over to the National Museum of Lithuania, but a part of the equally interesting heritage has survived and been given a new lease of life. This interwar architectural gem, which for decades caught the eye of passers-by on Drujos Street, has now regained its grandeur. It is the former administrative building of the Vilnius branch of the Polish consumer cooperative Społem. Designed and built by Vilnius engineer and architect Wacław Syrtowt between 1926 and 1936, it is a gem of interwar architecture. The building’s façades feature Venetian windows, decorative pediments and restrained interwar styling.

Ekstra Statyba is the company responsible for renovating this building. It has previously worked on sites such as the Sapiega Palace, St. Catherine’s Church in Vilnius, Medininkai Castle, Užutrakis Manor and the Vilnius defensive wall bastion. Here, Ekstra Statyba has professionally restored the authentic staircase, preserving its original configuration, as well as the ceramic floor tiles, old Venetian window frames, steel protective interior shutters, stove finishes, railing marks and other heritage elements. The elegant building already invites people to experience part of this revived history from the outside, and next year, future tenants will be able to showcase even more authentic interior details to their employees and the residents of Vilnius.

Jazz will soon be heard in the surroundings of the project – both literally and figuratively – as we begin installing it in the complex in Ričardas Gavelis Square. Bauland Studio has designed a functional public space here with an amphitheatre, a system of paths, rest areas, observation terraces, ‘pockets’ for various commercial activities and abundant greenery. Richard Gavelis’ work will be commemorated not only by the name of the square, but also by phrases from his novels engraved on the steps of the amphitheatre.

Opportunities to settle down

Construction of the Vilniaus Džiazas project is nearing completion, with around a third of the apartments already sold or reserved. S. Grinkienė points out that buyer interest is at its peak now, while the apartments can be viewed in person.

‘Exclusive properties are generally difficult to sell without a live viewing. In our project, buyers are particularly impressed by the ceiling height – many of them are pleasantly surprised by the powerful effect it creates. I am glad that we already have something to show, yet still have something to offer the most discerning buyers. This includes apartments with unique views of the Old Town from a height exceeding that of Gediminas Castle, as well as apartments with incredibly spacious private courtyards,” says S. Grinkienė.

You can find out more about the Vilniaus Džiazas project at www.vilniausdziazas.lt.