Vilnius plans to turn historic boathouse into public space

Vilnius plans to renovate a historic boathouse on the Neris River and turn the emergency-condition building into a public space, LRT reported, citing the Vilnius Development Company.

From next week, the river-facing side of the boathouse on T. Kosciuškos Street will be covered with a special tarpaulin featuring an archival photograph of the location. The image will show what the Neris riverbank looked like in the mid-20th century, when an active rowing base operated there.

“This boathouse is an important symbol of Vilnius’s connection with the Neris, so we want to preserve it for future generations. We aim to stop the building’s deterioration and, together with Vilnius residents, create a new chapter in its history so that the place becomes lively, open and draws people to the river,” Mayor Valdas Benkunskas was quoted as saying.

In autumn, the municipality plans to hold open creative workshops where residents, communities, architects, urban planners and specialists from other fields will discuss the most suitable future use of the building.

Ideas under consideration include spaces for recreation, water sports, culture and community activities, as well as a terrace, swimming area, summer cinema or exhibition space.

Market consultations conducted in 2022 showed that developing the location solely as a commercial property would be difficult because of its limited usable area, high reconstruction costs, heritage protection requirements, restricted access for construction equipment and a lack of parking spaces.

The renovated boathouse could open to visitors by 2030.