Vilnius Congress Centre Moves into Design Phase

Vilnius’ long-planned Congress Centre has moved into the design phase following the signing of a contract with IMPLMNT Architects, the Lithuanian studio behind the winning architectural concept. The milestone brings the city a step closer to its first purpose-built congress centre, designed to significantly expand Vilnius’ capacity to host large international congresses, conventions and high-level political meetings.

The winning proposal, titled “THREE”, was selected in an international architectural competition earlier this year. Located between the Lithuanian Parliament and Geležinio Vilko Street, the Congress Centre will feature a 2,000-seat plenary hall and 17 flexible event spaces, with the complex designed to accommodate up to 4,400 participants across events of different scales.

Under the newly signed contract, IMPLMNT Architects will now develop the project through all design stages – from detailed design proposals and obtaining a construction permit to the technical design, BIM model and supervision of the project’s implementation. Design work is expected to be completed by mid-2028.

A New Venue for Vilnius’ International Ambitions

The Vilnius Congress Centre is being developed to meet the requirements of international association congresses, corporate conventions and government-level events that the city has previously been unable to accommodate under one roof.

“Vilnius’ ambition to become a centre for international conferences, business events and the exchange of ideas in the region is becoming increasingly tangible. The Vilnius Congress Centre will create long-term value for the Lithuanian economy, strengthen the international competitiveness of the capital and open up new growth opportunities for the city,” said Valdas Benkunskas, Mayor of Vilnius.

The project will include halls of different sizes that can be adapted to events of varying scales. The latest design parameters envisage approximately 22,300 sq. m of above-ground space and 15,500 sq. m underground.

For Vilnius’ meetings industry, the new venue will fill a major gap in the city’s infrastructure. While Vilnius already hosts a growing number of international conferences, the lack of a purpose-built venue for larger congresses has limited the range of events the city can compete for.

“The new Congress Centre opens a new chapter for Vilnius. It will expand the range of international events we can host, bringing more delegates, knowledge exchange and global connections to the city,” said Dovilė Aleksandravičienė, CEO of Go Vilnius.

More Than a Congress Centre

The project is also intended to transform an important section of the Neris riverfront. Located next to the Lithuanian Parliament and a planned pedestrian and cycling bridge across the river, the centre will form part of a wider network of new public spaces connecting Naujamiestis with the river and Žvėrynas.

The winning design breaks the large complex into several volumes that gradually step down towards the Neris and the Parliament, allowing the building to respond to its sensitive urban setting rather than dominate it. The surrounding areas will remain publicly accessible, opening up a new section of the riverfront for residents, visitors and event delegates.

“This is a truly important project, not only because of Vilnius’ ambition to become a top-level conference and event centre, but also because of its urban and architectural significance,” said Aurimas Syrusas, architect at IMPLMNT Architects. “Through the building and its surroundings, the project connects Naujamiestis with the new pedestrian and cycling bridge and brings the city closer to the river.”

The international architectural competition attracted 28 submissions, with 17 proposals meeting all procurement requirements and advancing to jury evaluation. The winning “THREE” proposal was created by the IMPLMNT Architects team of Aurimas Syrusas, Greta Brimė, Aurelija Kniukštaitė, Jonė Virbickaitė and Giedrė Jurkuvėnaitė.

The competition was launched in December 2025 with a total prize fund of €100,000. With the design contract now signed, work on the project is expected to continue until mid-2028. Construction of the Vilnius Congress Centre is scheduled for completion by the end of 2031.