Luxurious apartment in a historic building on Laisvės Alley

The reconstruction of the cathedral neighbor’s house, considered the symbol of the beginning of Laisv Alley and once known as Lapinas, is almost complete. After more than eighty years, it was possible to acquire a private property in this cultural monument, since the last private owner of the house was registered as early as 1940.

“The building has so many authentic details that it is difficult to even list them all. It is one of the most striking Art Deco works in Kaunas, a view through the window to the Independence Square and the Cathedral, it is a residential building with old architecture ”, says real estate broker Karolis Valenta in a press release .

The construction work on this building has been carried out for fifteen years. It was the longest, almost fourteen years, to coordinate the reconstruction plan, due to the need to preserve and reconcile authentic and modern architectural solutions. During project execution, the building’s engineering systems were completely redesigned and a new elevator was installed.

“The building is included in the registry of buildings to protect, so it has a long list of elements to protect. It contains a large number of details that needed to be restored, restored and integrated. For example, on the staircase there are authentic cast iron railings from the Minerva factory with outlined wooden armrests, and the walls are decorated with ornamental paintings. The exterior doors are also made of wood. The authentic openings and the facade of the building had to be preserved, all the fragmentation of the exterior windows, ”says project developer Arūnas Aišparas.

Built of red brick 1750 m2 M. m house has four floors. Three apartments of different sizes have been established in three of them: the smallest, from 40 m2. m, and the maximum is 250 square kilometers. tide. Some apartments have balconies overlooking the courtyard and alley. And the first floor of the house, as in the historical drawings, is for commerce.

When Crew Cathedral was built in the late 19th century, the plots in front of it in a prestigious location were empty. 1897 Dr. Abel Lapin bought a piece of land here, for which the house project was prepared by architect Nikolai Andreev, who designed the Central Hotel. The premises on the first floor of the house were used for commerce, rented to 3 businessmen who opened luxury stores. On the second floor, the facilities were designed for a private medical institution, where the owner himself probably worked.

1923 The project for the construction of the third floor was prepared: planned apartments, water supply, sewerage and central heating were brought into the house. The unique brick tower of the house, which gave the house solidity and became its symbol, is perfectly recognizable even now.

“The upper facade of the house was decorated with elements of Art Deco style and so far this building is considered one of the most impressive reflections of this style in Kaunas. The lower part of the house has always been for commercial purposes, where luxury stores such as a shoe store or Photo-Bazaar were established, and a bookstore operated. Historically, the second / third floor were residential floors, the first – commercial, we restored this structure during reconstruction, ”says project developer Arūnas Aišparas.

Lapin’s house has also acquired commemorative status. In 1936-1940, Antanas Merkys, mayor of Kaunas and president of the last Lithuanian government, rented a six-room apartment on the third floor.

‘A. Merkys rented the “Lapino house”, including 270 square meters. Apartment of m, which was installed and own study with balcony. During the reconstruction of the building, this huge space was separated and divided: two separate apartments were installed. One of them is still available for purchase, ”reveals real estate broker K. Valenta.