WTF? - Destruction of Hotel Latvia & Stockmann?

[CrazyKing]

About two days ago the City Council of Riga came up with the idea of demolishing "disturbing architectural elements" like Hotel Latvia and the Stockmann shopping & cinema center...

And of course, the Heritage protector already said that it would be a great idea to "erase" such things from the historical center of Riga...

They want to discuss the possible destruction of the biggest and most visited places, but they want to reconstruct s**t buildings that are located in old Riga, for example, there's a f***ing MAXIMA store facing the river Daugava, people protested, but it got built anyway. And the second building that they may possibly repair is a steel-box next to the shopping center "CENTRS", actually heritage protectors, even UNESCO said that the steel-box fits perfectly into the center of Riga, but the Hansabank tower was simmilar to a "hearth-attack", whatever... I don't have any pics of the last two buildings mentioned, does anybody???

[Mantas]

Heh, some serious problems there. Hope they won't be such dumb to demolish those buildings. It'd cost millions to pay compensations, IMO :|

[LatvianGG]

As I understood, it is just an option. The municipality is just considering it for the future. No certain plans are made yet, and if there will be some plans to demolish those buildings, it is said that it's rather gonna be after at least 10 years until they will be wiped down.

[Artis]

It's just fever befor municipal elections. Political parties are trying to preach populistic slogans thinking that people will like that. Those are just vain promises.

The thing that i couldnt understand is why people are hating Triangular bastion building (with Maxima supermarket inside) at Daugava riverside side so much. Also that steely building in Oldcity - it just had to be finished - built until 5 floor hight and changed facades (not in groundfloor) althought those grey walls with small plastic windows looks sadly.

[Gatis]

This discussion is nothing new.
Riga City Historical Centre Development program was approved some days ago. The buildings in Riga Historical Centre have been classified according to their historical+visual value. Some buildings have managed into the list of visually damaging constructions - Hotel Reval Latvia and Ministry of Agriculture due to their oversized proportions, several more - Stockmann, house on Audeju Street, Triangul Bastion - due to their architecture.
Many buildings should be reconstructed - f.e. the boring buildings facing Daugava promenade - to be more interesting.

Plan does not oblige to demolish them immediately - but to demolish them upon the first possibility. It is up to our joirnalists and politicians to show these things in proper light. Nobody is going to demolish any useful buildings against the wish of owner.

[Gatis]

I personally am against the demolishing of Hotel Reval Latvia. It is beautiful point to oversee Riga Centre - there is no other possibility in this part of City. The architecture of the building is neutral, rather tasty, it even manages to merge with the sky. And it makes this place more lively.
http://images.worldres.com/property/a56500/56841/hotel.jpg
But removal of Stockmann - if it is up to me - please, go ahead ;) Better move 13th Janvara Street underground and extend here Old Ciga, unite it with Central Market.
In the picture - in forefront - 13 Janvara Street - the great and boring divide between the Old City and Central Market, Maskachka. Stockmann is going to "dive" under it this summer - to build extensive underground car parking and shops.
http://www.stockmann.fi/ap-pics/stockmann-konserni/historia/isotkuvat/uusi_kuva4.jpg

Some other "ugly" ducklings (according to development plan) in Centre:

Triangula bastions:
http://lambcutlet.org/albums/Riga/Triangula_Bastions.sized.jpg
House on Audeju 14:
http://www.vincents.lv/arhitekti/image/upload/projekt_l//audeju_01.jpg

[Janis_LV]

Well. Stockmann looks better than fence of boards and bare embankment. Rigans had to put up with for many years. And driving from Caka street toward Daugava it doesn't look all that bed. It makes very cosmopolitan look with lights, traffic, advertisments, crowds of poeple and all that noise. You guys should make some pics - evening after 18 looking from Marijas Merkelja toward Station square and Stockmann.

If something have to be demolished it is "undergound" parking behing Jacob's barracks on Basteja bulevard or miniMaxima on riverside in front on Dome. Thats just so tastless and ugly. And would like the the soviet buildings on riverside as Technical University and the rest to be demolished too adn instead build something that fits in historcal look of the old town loking over the river.

And of course - the building in Audeju 14. It is realy ugly and you know what? - it is projected by famous architect Gerkan.

[Monkey]

Gerkan of gmp ... an outfit I despise because I don't like their buildings. :down: