In Lviv, a former tram depot is being redeveloped into a creative hub. LEM Station, a limited liability company, founded by six local entrepreneurs, is in charge of the developments. They aim to make LEM Station into an ideal place for incubator and accelerator programs for the creative industries and a platform for experimentation and creativity, among others, by realising co-working facilities, a network area, an event hall, a maker space and an art centre on-site.
Since 1893 the site on which the creative hub LEM Station is created has functioned as a tram depot for electric trams and as a powerplant. From 1922 onwards, the use of the area switched to the repair of trams. [1;2] In 2015, the plans of a local entrepreneur to turn the tram depot into a creative quarter did not get off the ground. In 2017, the Lviv City Council opened a public competition for the redevelopment of the site. This was won by LEM Station, a collective of Lviv entrepreneurs. [4;5]
LEM station is named after the science fiction writer Stanislaw Lem, born and raised in Lviv. He was a futurist, and his legacy strongly resonated with the goal of the initiators to build a place that creates the future. [1;2] LEM Station aims to provide a creative urban space where entrepreneurs, citizens, and institutions can connect and cooperate. The initiatives want to provide a place where Lviv residents can develop entrepreneurial, social, and cultural initiatives. [1;2]
Currently, renovation and reconstruction of the site are underway. In the first phase of development, which is aimed to be completed in 2023, two public squares on site will be refurbished, and a car park will be implemented. Furthermore, existing buildings are renovated and restored, with maximum preservation of the original structure. So far, over 1.000 artefacts from the site have been preserved and will get a place in the renovated buildings. Once renovated, the red brick buildings will become home to a co-working space, a networking zone, including a food court and media hub, an event hall, a maker space and an art centre. Together, these will make LEM Station an ideal place for incubator and accelerator programs for the creative industries and a platform for experimentation and creativity. [2] Current infrastructure that serves the Lviv tram, like a control centre and transformer station, will remain on site. [2;3]
Before the site’s reconstruction, several organisations were allowed to organise events on-site for two years. Over 60 events, attended by 55.000 people, have been organised throughout this period. This included theatre festivals, public discussions, music concerts, and environmental events. These events have provided the team of LEM Station with important feedback as to the needs of their target audience and have informed the final renovation plans. [2]
LEM Station is a limited liability company (LLC) that is run as a social enterprise in which a sustainable economic model has to support the organisation’s social goals. The founders of LEM Station are six experienced entrepreneurs from Lviv. The organisation is run by an appointed CEO. [2;4]
In 2017, the Lviv City Council held a public competition for the redevelopment of the site. LEM Station was awarded the assignment. In 2018, Lviv Electrotrans, the municipal enterprise owning the site, and LEM Station signed an agreement. [2;4] According to this agreement, LEM Station will lease 4.900m2 of the site for a period of 50 years, with the right to sublease individual buildings. The lease obliges LEM Station to invest at least approximately €935.000 on-site and renovate all the leased buildings within four years of receiving necessary building permits. During this period of renovation, no rent has to be paid. [4;5]
Investments are provide by the founding partners of LEM Station LLC. [1]
The expected amount of investment in the site are unknown.
LEM Station, initiative website, lemstation.com/, accessed on 16/02/2022
LEM Station (2021), presentation for the 9th Informed Cities Forum, Oct 2021, received through personal communication with Gregory Zarkhin, project manager LEM Station
Lviv City Council (n.d.), Invest in Lviv: Lem Station, available on www.investinlviv.com/2019/02/01/lem-station/, accessed on 16/02/2022
Zaxid.net (2018), Lviv City Hall is looking for an investor to revitalize the old tram depot (in Ukrainian), 29th of December 2018, available on zaxid.net/u_lvovi_pidpisali_dogovir_na_stvorennya_lem_station_u_staromu_tramvaynomu_depo_n1472868, accessed on 16/02/2022
Zaxid.net (2017), Lviv City Hall is looking for an investor to revitalize the old tram depot (in Ukrainian), 27th of July 2017, available on zaxid.net/lvivska_meriya_shukaye_investora_dlya_revitalizatsiyi_starogo_tramvaynogo_depo_n1432275, accessed on 16/02/2022