For many years, the landscape of Lithuania’s largest cities remained dominated by large-scale galleries, modelled on the American giants we know. Today, however, change has come. The country is seeing a clear shift towards more open, pedestrianised and human-friendly spaces. New developments increasingly refer to the idea of a city within a city, bringing together retail, leisure and social functions. Vilnius’ Akropolis and Ogmios City have become pioneers.
Fascination with the West
The economic transformation of Lithuania after the collapse of the Soviet Union was associated with a great interest in the Western lifestyle, and shopping malls became one of its symbols. The first modern development in this vein was Akropolis in Vilnius, which opened in 2002. The building quickly gained iconic status, offering residents not only shops, but also a cinema, an ice rink and a wide range of Western brands. It was a stark contrast to the markets popular in the 1980s and 1990s, such as Gariūnai, where imported goods and open-air trading dominated. Akropolis became the benchmark for subsequent shopping centres, setting a standard that determined the shape of the Lithuanian market for years.
Akropolis
Ogmios City as an alternative to Akropolis
In the first decade of the 21st century, Ogmios Group planned to build another mall, this time on the site of a former military complex in northern Vilnius. However, the financial crisis forced the company to change its strategy. Instead of a complete redevelopment, it was decided to gradually revitalise the existing buildings, which proved both economically and socially beneficial. A collaboration with Do Architects resulted in the design of Ogmios City. Instead of a classic shopping mall, a town-like space was created, with restaurants, cafés, green areas and playgrounds alongside the shops. Successive buildings were renovated in phases, which made it possible to maintain the continuity of the facility and gradually attract new visitors.
The architects emphasised that it was crucial for them to create a pedestrian-friendly space, open to the residents of the neighbouring districts. Thus, the dominance of cars was reduced, greenery, fountains and rest areas were introduced, giving the whole complex the character of an urban living centre.
New approach to commerce
Ogmios City has shown that shopping centres can serve a function much broader than just shopping. The diversity of spaces, the renovation of old buildings and the emphasis on social experience made the project popular and set a new direction. As Andrė Baldišiūtė, lead architect of the Ogmios City project from Do Architects, noted, residents increasingly appreciate visually and functionally diverse places where they can spend time without shopping. This is a move away from the uniform, unified mall model towards more human and friendly spaces.
Ogmios City
Acropolis as a city within a city
In this wave of change, the Acropolis Group has also decided to revise its plans. For years, the company had been considering building another gallery in the traditional formula. Eventually, after a series of workshops and consultations, the concept of a modern complex was created to resemble a section of the city with streets, a variety of buildings and functions beyond retail. The new Akropolis, for which a building permit has been granted in 2024, is to include office spaces, conference and concert halls, a cinema and recreational areas. A residential development has already been built in the vicinity, which will further enhance the urban character of the entire development. The project envisages no street-level parking and a strong connection to the surrounding urban fabric of Vilnius.
Changes to the Lithuanian market
The change in approach to shopping centre design is indicative of evolving social and business preferences. Instead of overwhelming, monolithic galleries, complex, open and diverse spaces are increasingly being created to act as urban meeting centres. This is a sign that the Lithuanian market is maturing and moving towards more sustainable solutions and a focus on the needs of residents.
Source: Do Architects
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