“The reborn Paupys district in Vilnius Old Town is already beginning its life: residents are settling in, offices are opening, as are other businesses and new blocks are being developed. Paupio Turgus is a truly significant centre of gravity for Paupys and Vilnius city residents, as well as the city’s guests. We were considering postponing its opening, however, we believe that during this time, it is crucial to take leadership and strive to ensure that the city can return as soon as possible. Understanding that caterers will need time to recover from the lockdown fully, we have made the decision to compensate rent costs up to spring and thus encourage them to implement the development plans they had prior to the lockdown,” Darnu Group CEO Sigita Survilaitė-Mekionienė says.
According to her, the decision to not change the opening plans was also motivated by the promise to business partners settling in Paupys, as well as residents, who purchased homes and are gradually settling in, as well as all the city’s residents, that the district will be vibrant, active and attractive.
Paupio Turgus already has contracts with more than half of its potential tenants. Japanese, Chinese and Lithuanian kitchens, a dessert shop, bakery, gourmet food shops, craft beer and salad bars and etc.
“Good signs are gradually emerging for the catering business. Nevertheless, in order to create a vibrant and active new location, you must ensure stable operation and business synergies in terms of both retail and catering, as well as event zones. We seek to change the perception of market culture in Lithuania, thus there will be more spaces here to not only purchase and taste, but also safely interact, spend a fun time at cultural and culinary events. We will create an atmosphere you will want to return to,” S. Survilaitė-Mekionienė says.
Planned out by architect Audrius Ambrasas, Paupio Turgus will span almost 2 thousand square meters. Its winter garden will be placed under a vast glass roof and will have around 300 comfortable seats. The market’s interior is being designed by the architecture studio Plazma. During warm weather, it will be possible also to enjoy the market’s atmosphere in a spacious terrace near the original industrial fountain.
On a usual day, visitors will be served by around 20 various restaurants, bars and food shops, once a week, a farmer’s market from across Lithuania will gather, selling farm produce.
With the Paupys district revived in Vilnius Old Town, already the first 300 families are settling in, more than 90% of the rented out Paupio Verslo Namai spaces are filling up with staff – around 1,500 of them are to settle in here. The nearby cinema Pasaka is waiting for when it will be safe to announce the cinema season. Soon, the restaurant Piano Man, barbershop Brutal Barber, E. Suchockytė’s art gallery, a coffee shop and other companies offering everyday services will open their doors to customers.
The newly constructed district has already had infrastructure created and convenient communications established: streets have been fixed, as have been pedestrian and bicycle alleys alongside the Vilnelė River, underground car parking lots have been constructed.
