It turned out what Klaipeda’s “Mega” will look like after rebuilding.

After an invited architecture competition, in which the architects and their groups were able to present their design concepts for the reconstruction of the current Klaipėda “Banginis” shopping center, their managers selected the most liked idea and publicly announced project proposals.

The company SSPC-Klaipėda has started a commercial building located in Klaipėda, Šilutės pl. 35, preparation of the reconstruction project. On his behalf, the architecture studio 313 Architects prepared design proposals that are now available to the public.

The project will be developed by commercial real estate manager Baltic RED, who will provide concept development services, construction organization and maintenance, premises rental and property management.

During the urbanization works, the integration of an administrative building in the new shopping center is planned. Earlier it was announced that after the implementation of the project it is planned to increase the total area of ​​the object by about 60%.

The project proposal prepared by the architect Lukas Sturys affirms that the existing 29 thousand. kv. m total area of ​​the commercial building after reconstruction will be expanded to 42 thousand. kv. subway.

Instead of the one-storey “Banginis” building, a two-storey building will be erected with an integrated high-rise building, which is planned to be 71 m high (15 storeys). It is noted that the planned buildings do not exceed the allowable height, which according to the general plan of the territory of the city of Klaipeda is up to 80 m.

The building under reconstruction is planned to have two main entrances from the open parking lot on the west and north sides.

The project foresees the installation of an underground car depot in part of the area. A total of 975 parking spaces were designed (877 above ground and 98 underground). Of these, 30 places for people with disabilities.

Downstairs, there will be fast-focused stores every day, but a wide range of purchases, including Maxima and Senukai.

The second floor of the shopping center will house entertainment and leisure venues, cafes, a cinema and a new concept of educational entertainment center for children “CurioCity” will be opened.

“Entering the building, the trade room of the existing home goods store that connects to the common space, the food trade room is being rebuilt and small commercial premises are being designed. From the common space, access to the second floor is planned by means of escalators, where when going up there is a food pavilion (small cafeteria area), behind which a movie theater and a children’s educational area will be designed ”, he says the project proposal.

Much attention is also paid to the solutions of the “fifth facade” of the building – the roof. The administrative building is projected with an operational roof, which proposes the installation of a green roof, which would be suitable for the gazebo and a quiet rest for the employees of the administrative building and visitors to the commercial building.

As the concept of the mall changes, its name will change too – after the reconstruction, “Banginis” will open its doors not only with a fundamentally revamped name, but also with a new “Mega” name. In Lithuania, it will already be the second shopping and entertainment center of the same name. The “Mega” entertainment and shopping center in Kaunas has been in operation since 2005.

“Market needs are changing, so we decided to change the concept of the Klaipėda“ Banginis ”shopping center and implement the planned strategic development of the“ Mega ”shopping and entertainment center in Lithuania during the reconstruction. We hope that the best overall architectural concept of the building will be based on aesthetic, functional and socio-economic arguments, and that the bidders’ proposals for the high-rise administrative building of the shopping center will be an integral part of the environment. “said Baltic RED, CEO of Commercial Real Estate Development and Management Company Director Artūras Pitkauskas.

The developer assures that the reconstruction and urbanization works are planned to be carried out without closing the shopping center and only minimally interrupting the activities of the commercial and service points located here. In addition, the reconstruction and development works of the Banginis shopping center are planned to be carried out simultaneously with the construction of the nearby roundabout and overpass.

Mega is scheduled to open in 2022 instead of the current Klaipėda Banginis. at the end of 2023 at the beginning.

The Banginis Shopping Centers and the Mega Shopping and Entertainment Center in Kaunas belong to the Litvalda group of companies, which operates various commercial properties throughout Lithuania. The controlling interest in Litvalda belongs to Augustinas Rakauskas.