Vilnius Business Parks are nearing full occupancy: demand for high-quality stock-office premises continues

„Businesses are investing much more cautiously today than they were a few years ago. Companies are focusing more on assessing how a property will contribute to operational efficiency – whether it will help reduce operating costs, shorten the supply chain, or create the conditions for expansion. As labour and operating costs rise, property is becoming not just infrastructure but also a tool for competitiveness. We can therefore see that demand for high-quality, versatile business premises remains stable, even during a period of more cautious investment decisions,“ notes Čiplys.

Over the past few months, companies from various sectors have established or are in the process of establishing operations at Vilnius Business Parks, including Kauno Liftai, one of Lithuania’s largest lift installation and maintenance companies; Adam Decolight, a provider of festive and Christmas decoration solutions; Info S, a radio communications systems company; DANX Lithuania, a logistics company; and other businesses.

Čiplys says that the companies joining the Vilnius Business Parks community – spanning a range of sectors, from engineering solutions and logistics to IT and retail – demonstrate that the needs of modern businesses, regardless of their specific activities, often overlap. The key motivation for seeking new premises is the desire to streamline operations and reduce day-to-day operating costs.

„Even though the activities of these companies vary greatly, they are united by the same need – a space that can adapt to the growth of their businesses. Multi-purpose premises allow businesses to centralise administration, office space, warehousing and light manufacturing in a single location, meaning they no longer need to look for new premises as the scale of their operations changes,“ says Čiplys.

According to him, companies also consider how the premises will contribute to operational efficiency five or ten years down the line.

„When developing business parks, we focus on flexibility – so that companies can adapt their premises to their operations and, as they grow, transform them without having to relocate. This model allows a business to grow alongside its premises, rather than having to look for new premises as its needs change,“ explains Čiplys.

A survey conducted this year by Darnu Group shows that, when looking for new premises, small and medium-sized enterprises prioritise practical suitability: 58% of business representatives value convenient access to the premises, while 51% prioritise an appropriate size and layout. These factors were also among the priorities of the companies moving into Vilnius Business Parks.

Paulius Guzavičius, Finance Director at Kauno Liftai, confirms that functionality and suitability for day-to-day operations were decisive factors in the choice of new premises. The company is currently finalising the fit-out of its new premises, which it plans to move into in September.

„We were looking for premises that would best suit the nature of our work – both the warehouse space and the office layout were just right for us, so no major alterations will be needed. We’ll just add a few extra spaces, a conference room and a kitchenette,“ adds Guzavičius.

Convenient access and spacious premises tailored to the company’s needs were among the main reasons why Adam Decolight, a company that has been operating in Lithuania for more than two decades, chose the Sedulų Street Business Park for its expansion. The company has leased 860 sqm of premises there.

„As our business grew, we simply ran out of space in our previous premises. We needed a larger warehouse, easy access and a spacious car park, as we transport large-scale decorations ourselves,“ notes Nerijus Chmieliauskas, CEO of Adam Decolight.

Similar reasons led the radio communications company Info S to choose premises at the Gariūnų Street Business Park for its operations.

„As our business expanded, we were looking for larger premises that we could purchase. „We chose Vilnius Business Parks because of its strategic location near the Vilnius bypass, convenient transport links to other cities in Lithuania, and the new A++ energy-rated building. We have been working here for a few months now and we can see that the decision has proven to be the right one,“ says Stanislovas Vyšniauskas, CEO of Info S.

Financial criteria also play a significant role when deciding on new premises. Price is cited as one of the main factors when choosing a business location by 42% of small and medium-sized enterprise representatives who took part in the Darnu Group survey. Čiplys points out that these days, businesses are increasingly looking not only at the cost of the premises but also at the overall economics of running the building.

Guzavičius, Finance Director at Kauno Liftai, also emphasises the importance of financial efficiency when choosing premises and the benefits of an A++ energy efficiency rating. According to him, the company, which has so far operated from leased premises in several locations across Vilnius, was not only looking for a solution that would allow it to bring its operations under one roof, but also wanted to avoid major investment in refurbishing the premises and ensure that they could be maintained cost-effectively.

„We have calculated that the monthly payments will essentially cover our current rent, while the new A++ energy-rated premises will not require significant investment in refurbishment. Running costs will be lower, and the property will remain liquid in the long term,“ notes Guzavičius.

Chmieliauskas, CEO of Adam Decolight, also cites the attractive price as one of the reasons for choosing the Sedulų Street Business Park: „A competitive price was also a key factor, which is why Vilnius Business Parks was the obvious choice.“

Darnu Group, the leading company in the segment of stock-office premises in the capital, has developed almost 50,000 sqm of such premises to date. The company offers customers the choice of purchasing premises or leasing them with an option to buy.