Previous thread is here:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=335472

Time to start new thread :D

On 22nd November 2006 there are the following highrises with 20 and more floors under construction in Riga:

1. and 2. Z-towers in Zunds, Kipsala highrise district. 33 floors and 28 floors. Up to 130 m high.
- preparation for fundament on-going, they are driving the wall, which will enable construction of underground part.

3. Da-Vinci, Kipsala. 27 floors, 95 meters.
- Wall for underground part has been made, it seems also that the piles have been driven and digging of underground part on-going.

4. Panorama Plaza I, 27 floors, 99 meters.
- facade works and inner works on-going. Full height reached since some time.

5. Panorama Plaza II, 32 floors, 114 meters.
- 23rd floor is built.

6. Panorama Plaza III, 32 floors, 114 meters.
- pile driving on-going.

7. Rietumu Capital Centre, 20 floors.
- full height reached, started facade works.

8. Astra Lux, 24 floors.
- it seems that full height has been reached or they are near at it.

9.-12. Skanstes virsotnes, 24 floors, four buildings.
- two buildings just rised above the ground, for two others - pile driving on-going.

- - -
Other news:
- Construction works for luxurious 40 000 m 7-floor department store "Galerija Patollo" for 230 stores in Centre have been just started! >50 mio EUR investment.
http://www.patollo.lv/
- On Kliversala on-going demolition of existing buildings to prepare place for the 200 mio EUR Kliversala district project.

Forgot to add:
After first public hearing ended Riga City Development Committee today supported the "Riga Concert Hall" project. Now it will go further along the bureaucracy chain. Aproximate costs for building itself - 56 mio EUR, total costs for complex - 90 mio EUR.
After approvals in December there will be started elaboration of technical design. Start of construction is sheduled for beginning of 2008.

You can look for their video - extremely impressive renderings of future Riga New City in middle part of this video:
http://www.koncertzale.lv/bildes/video.wmv
Riga there looks like some world importance city

Picture with Concert Hall in forefront, and Z-towers, Symbiotic Tower and Saules akmens in background.
http://www.koncertzale.lv/bildes/galerija/2.jpg

The video is really impressive! Those skyscrapers do look superb!! :okay:

new render (i guess) Of Balasta Dambis:
http://www.manutent.ee/index.php?go=file&data_field=big_pic&db=projekt&id=17

it actually reminds me of a modern twist (super glassyreflective) brutalist piece of art :D

Really - glass "brutalism". I don't believe that they will add all that greenery...

This render certainly is made by somebody who hasn't seen the site. Initial design by "Arhis" - some 5 floors lower and more modern - with tinted glass.
http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/9853/bilde500jo1.jpg

- - -
Mr. Bandarin from UNESCO has arrived in Riga and again is threating that Riga might be excluded from UNESCO World Heritage sites liste. According to him Riga is doing too little analysis and is acting in haste when planning the highrises so close to Old City. Jeez, no other city in world has made such a long planning, visual analysis and public discussion about the new skyline.

We are tired of those "wise man" from West who imagine that we are idiots who should be taught what should be done and what not.

^^ That's a good attitude. :) Too bad municipality of Vilnius is not ignoring UNESCO, now height in new city center was decreased and ET will remain the highest tower and most of proposals were shortened: Registru center from 28 to 24, Telecom tower from 20+ to 14 and few more. Also the number of high-rises will be not big as planned earlier. At first towers up to 190m were planned and now...

I somehow feel that Riga will follow in steps of Vilnius... Already now they declared that in buffer zone (other UNESCO World Heritage monuments don't have such buffer zone, but Riga has) height will not exceed 121 m. Although there are prepared projects exceeding this.

Some architects wonder how will lok Kipsala with a wall of buildings having exact 121 m height - some projects have exactly such height.

^^ Buffer zone is well known term here and part of new city center is in it. The most interesting thing that highest buildings are planned closer to oldtown, while the rest of Snipiskes district (that's the district where new city center is being built) will be built up only by 5-7 floorers. Also one interesting thing is that municipality of Vilnius allows to build for one company 18 floorer (Vilnius gates) not very far from old town while they don't allow 12 floorer (SBA tower) which is further away from the oldtown. With the help of term "visual pollution" municipality can favour some companies and make life harder for other ones (corruption).

well, usually all "big decisions" have undercurrents - there are certain people who get extra profits of it, it's just too bad, that society especially here in LV, is too inert and passive to react in a hard enough manner to prevent such exploitations.. and competition in building sector forces companies to struggle using more and more sophisticated methods, calling environmentalists, heritage protectors, angry landowners etc

This seems to be the same like in Singapore - max height 260, three buildings of the same height in the center... :lol:

I hope it won't be selected as the max height for Riga's high-risers... :(

Here is a Rietumu Banka office building construction webcam in Riga on-line!
http://www.rietumu.lv/lvl.nsf/page?ReadForm&pid=1&page=level_31&menuref=10C40265E00FDE46C22570AF0035BEB9

New Project In Imanta

DATA about the project :
The total area of the land plot - 8489 m2;
Residential building with the total number of floors – 29;
The land plot is situated in the area with the zoning „Mixed type and residential territory” - „Jauktas apbūves teritorijā (J)”- 18 floors and more

The technical description and different variants of designing the technical project :
29 storied building with underground parking and when using maximum intensity 400 percents :
The total area of all floors (8067 x 400%) – 32268 sq.m.2 .
The area under construction (when building 25 floors) (32268m2 : 25) – 1290 sq.m..
The number of apartments – (32268m2 : 100 m2-the avarage area of one apartment) – 322 apartments;
Required minimal number of parking spaces – (322 x 1.1)- 354 parking spaces;
Communications – city electricity, water, canalisation, Lattelekom. No gas connection.

The project will be developed as 95% residential and 5 % office and commercial.
There will be fittness hall, sauna, hairdressing saloon in the first floor, 2 elevators, 2 staircases.
Right now agreement for designing sketch project has been signed with Zane Kalinka.

Some Pic:
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p60/ZinedineLV/id246_1_b.jpg
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p60/ZinedineLV/foto-3224.jpg
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p60/ZinedineLV/foto-3225.jpg
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p60/ZinedineLV/foto-3226.jpg
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p60/ZinedineLV/foto-3227.jpg

thank you Zinedine. Looks much better than Panorama Plaza design:)

Yes, this one has got the most complicated approvals and now is moving along the further bureaucracy chains. Don't know when they will start - may be next year. Close to it another 30-floor tower got approvl as well.

One "small" problem - after construction of first towers in this area in mornings there is huuge crowd at tram stop in this place in Imanta now. After some more towers will come up, it will be much worse.

New apartament building in Imanta.

Address : Jurmalas Gatve 100
Status: Under Construction
Developer,Seller: YIT Celtnieciba, L.L.C.
Number of storeys: 9
Number of apartments: 126
Number of parking spaces: 117
Started: 2006
Finished: 2008

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p60/ZinedineLV/Jurmalasgatve100.jpg

Location: http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p60/ZinedineLV/6.gif

Maybe it is this human irrationality, but seeing the same name in Latvian and Lithuanian for the word "street" ("gatve") makes me feel warm :) Good to have brothers and sisters in this globalized world (no matter if their politicians block some border controls at the frontier :))

Maybe it is this human irrationality, but seeing the same name in Latvian and Lithuanian for the word "street" ("gatve") makes me feel warm :) Good to have brothers and sisters in this globalized world (no matter if their politicians block some border controls at the frontier :))

In fact, "gatve" in latvian means lane. :D
Street is "iela" :cheers1:

In fact, "gatve" in latvian means lane. :D
Street is "iela" :cheers1:

ok, sorry, "cousins" then :D :cheers1:

Megaproject "Soleville" have opened their Webpage: www.soleville.com
They have got full approvals for construction of 16 highrise buildings in Plavnieki - these mainly will be apartment buildings and just one office building. Heught would not be above 17 floors. Architect - "Arhis". Unfortunately the Website does not contain renderings - just overall plans. This is complex project - besides highrises they will construct 4 kindergardens, health centre, swimming pool, cafe, two shops, sports place, sports club, large car parking.
- - -
Z-towers are updating theur Webpage currently. Turns out that the lower building will be 107 m high, the higher one - 120 m. Still I think that they will add up the 10 m high platform.

^^ Funny, you're trying to make it atleast 1m taller than "Europa" tower. :) If you'll count platforms then we'll count spire or antenna. ;)

If you will count antenna, we will count them too :D Panorama Plaza towers will have high antennas.
- - -
Design for 17-floorer on the corner of Hanzas and Strelnieku Streets has been changed. Now it is really weird, if you ask me. Kind of "small CCTV building" as a present from Beijing to Riga.
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/3410/hanzasjaunaisdt0.jpg
- - -
Rem Kolhaas is presenting his vision for 700 mio EUR project in Andrejsala (north from Old Riga) today. Haven't seen it but for highrise enthusiasts it would be interesting to know - he proposes three or four round highrise towers between the Museum of Modern Art and Daugava River. He says that it is not necessary to have full view on river there - one can look through highrises.

The "smaller CCTV" version is pretty nice, it has something different what ordinary towers doesn`t :okay:

If you will count antenna, we will count them too :D Panorama Plaza towers will have high antennas.
:doh: Then we will remove old antenna (or is it spire? if it's spire then quite ugly one ;)) and will add even higher one. :P It'll be the battle of tall antennas. :guns1:

That 17-floorer maybe is weird but I like it. :okay: Don't really know how CCTV building in Beijing looks like.

CCTV building in Beijing
http://www.danwei.org/images/CCTVa.jpg

...but highest structure (and I think for a long time) will be in Riga! Riga TV tower - 368m! :tyty:
:pet: ..to all lithuanian and estonian friends :)

Developers of Riga continue to go crazy...
Some more info about "Riga Port City" or Andrejsala project as designed by Rem Kolhaas and his office. From Webpage http://www.andrejsala.lv/?l=2 and news today.

View of Andrejsala and Eksportosta today:
http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/2167/portcity2rv4.jpg
View after completion and ~ 1 000 000 000 EUR investment:
http://img308.imageshack.us/img308/100/portcity1kz6.jpg
One more view:
http://img308.imageshack.us/img308/7386/portcity3cm6.jpg
And view with the potential Northern Crossing of Daugava in forefront and Saules akmens far in the right background:
http://img308.imageshack.us/img308/849/portcity4ie1.jpg
View from Podrags or from Northern Crossing:
http://img308.imageshack.us/img308/8112/portcity5qm5.jpg
View from above:
http://img308.imageshack.us/img308/3060/portcity6ad0.jpg

Area - 123 ha.
Planned gross floor area - 2,7 mio m2.
Apartment space for 65 000 people
Working space for 80 000 people
Whole development time - 25 years, Andrejsala (closer to centre) gets built in 10-15 years.

Riga mayor says that he is worried about this project - city simply has not enough people to sustain this project. Quite the opposite - number of people is decreasing, while similar megaprojects appear one after another.

Well... no chance for this to be realised as a whole IMHO. Would be good if they will manage Andrejsala alone.

^^ I think that the mayor should not worry, investors will not build anything if there will be no demand.

...but highest structure (and I think for a long time) will be in Riga! Riga TV tower - 368m! :tyty:
:pet: ..to all lithuanian and estonian friends :)
pff.. you still don't have the largest basket or Christmas tree in the World :P ;)
http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/3324/krepsyssc1.jpg

Hi all,
I wanted to comment / make a disorganized rant on opinion about how Riga is unlikely to sustain ambitious projects due to lack of people.

Now in my opinion the main issue here is the projected economic growth rate for the next 10 - 15 years, and not the scarcity of population. If Latvia's GDP keeps growing at rates close to 10% for the next decade than for sure the demand for office space and dwellings will probably be matching the supply, even if the population doesn't increase a bit.

Why is that?

After all, most of the population of Riga right now lives in commieblocks. And commieblocks are nasty places to live in. I lived in one myself for 15 years:) . Now of course you could assume that commieblocks will soon undergo a massive renovation programme ala East Germany. But hey, a whitewashed and polished commieblock is still a commieblock. I strongly believe that if presented with opportunity and funds majority of commieblock dwellers will abandon their current flats for ones in new developments.

Not only the quality of the current dwelling is an issue, but also the living space which on average, if I recall right, is around 2/3 or less than that enjoyed by an average W. European.

Now combining with optimistic (albeit uncertain) projections for growth with current poor dwelling conditions of majority of population, the demand for housing in new projects will skyrocket.

Same goes for businesses in need of high class or just plain decent office space - increasing of the wealth and number of local companies, foreign firms opening their subsidiaries and local offices, prestige and show-off needs will all drive the demand for office construction up.

And don't count the public sector out either, today many public organizations such as different goverment, education, healthcare and miscallaneous other institutions suffer a great need for better facilities, and that need is not to go away even if we have 0% population growth and 5% GDP growth instead of 9% or 11%.

Now if you add to high growth rate possible other future factors, like positive economic migration, Riga becoming more central and visible in the region, foreigners buying property as an investment then large scale construction starts to make even more sense.

All things said, I'd say that to developers the main risk is that the economy will fail to deliver, otherwise, if the GDP keeps growing, even the most ambitious projects will seem conservative.

Of course, how sustainable the economic growth rate is, whether it is solely dependent on consumer euphoria with no grounding in the "real world" remains to be seen.

Interesting thoughts raz! And welcome to the forum btw! :wave:

That Kolhaas project is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!

To read and discuss in Latvian:
http://www.a4d.lv/notikumi/544/

Sorry for nonlatvian speaking forumers - the next will be only in latvian, cause it's the easiest way to reach this auditory.


Labdien,

Arhitekturas portals www.A4D.lv, lidzigi ka pagajuso gadu (http://www.a4d.lv/notikumi/418/) ari si gada nogale riko aptauju par 2006. gada notikumiem. Nedela starp Ziemassvetkiem un Jauno gadu planots publicet arhitektu viedoklu serijas par aktualakajiem sigada notikumiem arhitektura: pasaule, Latvija un katra profesionalaja dzive.

Sogad, veloties paplasinat A4D auditoriju, lidzigus jautajumus labprāt uzdotu ari tiem, ko nosaciti varetu saukt par „arhitektūras interesentiem” - t.i. cilvēkiem, kas paudusi interesi par arhitekturu un par pilsetu attistibas lietam.



1. Jusuprat, ieverojamakie notikumi arhitekturaa vai pilsetplanosana pasaulee.

2. Jusuprat, ieverojamakie notikumi arhitektura vai pilsetplanosana Latvijaa.

3. Jusu spilgtaka ar arhitektūru un pilsetu saistita pieredze saja gadā (notikums, eka, pilseta, projekts utt.)

Papildjautajums.
Ja kadreiz lasat A4D, - Jums interesantakais raksts vai tema, kas publiceta vai apspriesta A4D 2006.gada

Priecasimies par Jusu viedokli visos jautajumos, tacu labprat sanemsim ari Jusu atbildes pec izveles.

Atbildes variet sutit drosi rakstot latviesu burtiem, keburu gadijuma tos konvertet nav problema. Tapat, ja ertak, variet sutit ka piesaistni (attachmentu).
Atbildes gaidam lidz 20. decembrim. Atbildes sutit uz adresi: a4d@a4d.lv
Paldies jau ieprieks!

A4D varda ,
Artis Zvirgzdiņš


p.s. ta ka personigi (gandriz) nevienu nepazistu, vajadzetu vestules noradit pilnu vardu, uzvardu, ka ari nodarbosanos vai amatu. Ja neesat no Latvijas - velams ari pilsetu.

raz, you've put my thoughts "on paper" :) if you go thru Riga, the first thing you notice - HOW POOR IS THE RECENT QUALITY OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS, most of which were built in 1960's and 1970's - those who have money, prefer to move to recently built apartments, and the tendency will remain until those, who can afford, will complete the moving.. i bought a flat in a house built in 1962, with the main idea in my head - ok, now I can afford only this option, but it is still temporary - when i have enough resources, i will be moving to better apartments, and i know a lot of people who think in the same way

"Riga Port City" or Andrejsala project LOOKS REALLY AMAZING!
I think this is on of few projects that I like as it is - without any changes!

I REALLY HOPE, THIS PROJECT WILL BE REALISED!

And You know what? With this project the north crossing is needed to be a bridge! These highrises with bridge looks teriffic!

Gati, what is Your thoughts - there will be a bridge or a tunnell!?

Ehmmm, well, if you ask me - I guess we'll soon need to import people to live and work here because companies already have problems finding workers - they have even quit adding the latvian obligatory message to work announcements - "...you need a bachelors degree, we don't give a damn in which speciality, but you need one" - maybe it's because some 40,000-60,000 people have moved to Ireland, Norway & Great Britain in the past few years - about 5 out of 30 friends of mine work there...

And the absurd stuff of selling appartments at such high prices like a commie appartment with 2 rooms for 100,000 euros - even in an awful area that's quite far away from the center... Some of my relatives wanted to buy a 2 room appartment in a newly built project - nearly 300,000 Euros - that makes me think that every second working male & female in Latvia should earn at least 800 Ls per month to pay for their new appartment, have fun paying a loan for the next 30 years - my relatives would already be 60 years old until they finally would have bought their appartment...

crap - I wish this SICK price policy for appartments would stop, that's why Riga keeps loosing people - they just have to move out because some real-estate geek buys the whole building and get's rid of the people who live there...

Hello, @raz :) Good post, thanks for dose of optimism. Of course, majority of people will be happy to see commieblock quartals gone (most of them, some should be left for history) and such modern parts of city coming instead. If it happens so - good for everyone.
City mayor is worried that people coming with ferries will see first this impressive wall of buildings and only afterwards - Old City towers. But I don't share his worries because:
a) current view in this place before Old town is just miserable. Nobody should feel a loss if it goes.
b) Values of the Old City don't disappear when something new and good appears nearby. If we take analogy - two vases with roses on a table is better than one.
- - -
@ Laurijs - if you ask me whether there will be a tunnel or bridge - there is no clear answer yet. We should wait results of draft design + price estimates for all options. But I would guess that bridge will be built. Just don't take it too serious yet.
- - -
@ CrazyKing - in fact, realisation of such large projects will beat the price of commieblocks down (but new projects will become more expensive in future for sure). But by that time you would avoid commieblocks at any cost... because the contingent of people remaining there would be quite terrible.

300 000 EUR for 2-room apartment is too much - your relatives should look better, there are cheaper options in new projects. I am living in 3-room apartment in new apartment, 100 m2, 100 000 EUR - outside Riga but still in suburbs. So far can say only the best about build quality.

Ehmmm, well, if you ask me - I guess we'll soon need to import people to live and work here because companies already have problems finding workers - they have even quit adding the latvian obligatory message to work announcements - "...you need a bachelors degree, we don't give a damn in which speciality, but you need one" - maybe it's because some 40,000-60,000 people have moved to Ireland, Norway & Great Britain in the past few years - about 5 out of 30 friends of mine work there..

:ohno: Imagine how Lithuanian economy has to deal with ~400.000 people gone to UK/Ireland, it's the only thing stoping us from growing at the same rates as Latvia or Estonia... atleast immigration from Belarus/Ukraine/Moldova is growing day by day

about the project - it's definetly more worthy of beeing built than the recent one in an island, but i very much doubt it will ever be completed fully

/\ 400 000?

O.o

Today I scanned some pictures from the local Riga newspapers for you

The visualisation of perspective alternate bus central station on Vienibas st.
http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/6257/autoostaaj5.jpg
The Soleville project by Arhis (you can tell because of the glass roofing over the sports center - reminds me the Riga Airport design:)) I let you comment on it:)
http://img334.imageshack.us/img334/3603/soleville1xv9.jpg
http://img485.imageshack.us/img485/9068/soleville2kx9.jpg

highrise commie park...
just wasted potential if you ask me

highrise commie park...
just wasted potential if you ask me
If you ask me it is just soviet-latvian business- build something so fast as possible, take 200-300% profit, then run and hide :lol:
P.S. I like the design of Soleville project :)

Ita, you are wrong - some part of business is like that but by far not all. IMHO Riga shows quite many quality projects which are developed slowly and with great care.

/\but it seems a majority of those huge megaprojects in Riga tend to be :(

With the superb exception of Andrejsala, now thats class!

You mean that Zakusala or Kipsala or Rumbula are bad quality projects? I haven't seen similar large scale + quality projects elsewhere in Baltics. May be smaller Kvartalas or Tallinn port quartal projects can match them but those are of different league

Sorry, by huge megaproject i mean the kind like Solaris, Panorama plaza. But again the real value of Riga lays in the centre area, and all those new wonderful individual projects being built there.
As for megaproject :) well, we have Ülemiste city ;) www.ulemistecity.ee plan: (http://www.ulemistecity.ee/pictures/toostus-plaan.pdf)

http://www.koncertzale.lv/bildes/galerija/2.jpg
Concerthall architecture in Riga

http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/1778/13111195372685td1.jpg
Concerthall architecture in Helsinki

http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/1770/36xx.jpg
Random cardboard box

I like the Riga one better, definately. :)

Ita, you are wrong - some part of business is like that but by far not all. IMHO Riga shows quite many quality projects which are developed slowly and with great care.
Certainly :) I was speaking basically about apartment blocks.

(]

/\how does it currently look?

You mean that Zakusala or Kipsala or Rumbula are bad quality projects? I haven't seen similar large scale + quality projects elsewhere in Baltics. May be smaller Kvartalas or Tallinn port quartal projects can match them but those are of different league

Vilnius: project by Massimiliano Fuxas, Entertainment park, Velga project, Sunrise valley, or if you mentioned Kipsala, i could well add NCC

Klaipeda: Gandraliskes, Sea gates, Memel city

;)

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/9061/stockmannzc8ri3.jpg

Hi,

I just checked the website of the Acoustic Concert Hall @ www.koncertzale.lv to find out it is under construction and will be reopened in February. Here I am posting few images of the surrounding area of the concert hall taken from the video presentation.

The gray-blue coloured buildings are ones that are proposed, built or under construction. Some of them are recognizable but some of them are not. I am just wondering what are those buddings there? I can recognise "Hansa Banka", "Symbiotic tower", "Preses Nams", "Manutent" at Balasta dambis 11 and "Da Vinci", though I couldn't find "Z-Towers" :)


http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/8468/1atw9.jpg
http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/2074/5afm4.jpg
http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/7602/6arm6.jpg

I mean
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/9140/3a1bz4.jpg
http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/9311/4a1hg3.jpg

Any guess?

I guess those are just proposals or an analyse about the possible effects of such buildings in that area...

those 3 on the left in the last picture, were part of "new Amsterdam" initial proposal

Some Riga news media is reporting on:

- "Vertikālā pasaule" has come up with a proposal to the owners of "Preses Nams" building (AS "Ventspils nafta") to buy it for 60 mil EUR. That would be incorporable in "Z-towers" (investment130mil EUR) infrastructure.
http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/8469/presesnamsdj1.jpg

- The representatives of «Manutent Latvia» (the owner of the land plot in Riga at Balasta dambis 11) in the interview told that the construction on 96m high rise will start at the end of 2007 or beginning of 2008. Estimated construction costs - 40mil EUR.
http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/5398/manutentxb3.jpg

- The concept of the 8 storey building on Miera 1 (picture below) was approved by Riga city council. Though they gonna need to look on increasing the size of projected parking space (there are 36 parking lots proposed now)
http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/1853/miera1yj0.jpg

One of the design proposals for the 90 000m2 Dommo development site on Mukusalas st.
http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/9965/mukusalasre2.jpg

Unusual design for the residential project In Jurmala is being developed. There is going to be a glass wall and on the indoor surface 365 different pictures will be projected - every day a different one.
http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/4189/jurmala365bb2.jpg

Here are few renderings from the recent Latvian Architecture magazine.

The proposal from studio AB3D for Hanzas 14.
http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/9898/hanzas14avz3.jpg

The proposed design by AB3D for Maritim hotel
http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/8424/maritiman7.jpg

The winning design proposal for Lucavsala residential building
http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/9266/talieskatitw1.jpg

Thanks, @nomels! I don't have time anymore to "work" here :)

Maritum hotel is 17 or 18 floors high, it has got full approval. Can't say I love it - city asked them to redesign it several times, it got slight improvements but still looks like a hectic aggregation of boxes.
http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/6589/maritimrt8.jpg

While the final outcome of design tender for Lucavsala - "Talie skati" - is just great IMHO. Authors - "Arhitektonika". They also got the necessary permits, hope - they will start soon.

Hanzas 14 will be some 16 - 18 floors high and together with another 16-floorer will form a kind of midrise "gates" when entering Skanstes Street area - here the other project:
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/3410/hanzasjaunaisdt0.jpg

Cheers Gatis:)

In reference to your shortage of time - hope will see the outcome of your activities soon:)

Yeah, in 5-10 years :)

what interests me - are you rigans happy that this area next to stockmann will be filled with a giant building?

im a bit confused Jarmo, if you mean this: http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/9061/stockmannzc8ri3.jpg

than the impression i got from all of this was that the image above is a render of the final product... they dont want to build a edifice there, just a squarelikethingy :D

Yes, they will build UNDER it, not above. And without stopping the traffic. But again - am not happy with the planning of that square - that place is good for some vertical element - fountain or sculpture or similar. But now that's just a some mix. Bad that Stockmann does not use local architects...

ahh crap! i saw the picture with no specifying text and thought they're starting to build there, i remember clearly that there were some plans to build a huge building there... at least i think i remember :D didn't notice the picture is a rendition (:

but yes, gatis! this place would be perfect for a small park with a fountain or a sculpture.
but by park i mean PARK, not a paved area with trees in some metal/stone pots...

Well, I guess Stockmann, being an international company (Finnish?) wouldn't feel bound to use local architects. :(

And I LOVE your definition of PARK, Jarmo! :okay: Indeed the spot would be ideal for one, provided, of course, that it contain Gatis' idea of a vertical fountain/sculpture. The facades of the buildings on that side of the street are nice enough to deserve a small park. :)

jarmo, nah a park isnt that great in that location, look in the back, theres a park there already and also to the right .. some trees. We dont want the squirrels to escape, now do we! I think a square would be much more appropriate, a square with some fountains!

Ah, let it be a parklike square then! :)

In order not to forget this thread:

"Astra Lux" double highrise has reached full height - 24 and 22 floors (I have to count - may be there is also technical floor).
Now it looks like this:
http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/6335/astraluxqr3.jpg
Last autumn, still with the "yellow box" above it. Whole district around it is rebuilt.
http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/363/astralux2sj1.jpg

This building is getting speficic tiles which are able to remove air pollution and also to clean themselves - it should not be washed.
- - -
"Metropolia" project (5 18-floorers) is going fast. Two buildings are completed, one reached full height, two others underway.

Another tender will be announced for Mezaparks Estrade because of unsatisfactory proposals, will be built not earlier than 2010. Rejected designs below.
http://img506.imageshack.us/img506/4950/mezaparkaestrade1ef7.jpg
http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/3180/mezaparkaestradehg4.jpg

Design Proposal for Zvirgzdu sala. Don't know anything else about it. Is it outdated? Here is a map from google as well.
http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/3599/zvirgzdusala11bq9.jpg
http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/9212/zakusalaspgrmapaf5.png

The development at the bank of the Juglas Lake
http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/8293/jugkasezers1zd6.jpg

I took a few pictures of Riga night lights yestrday. Not of the best quality though.
http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/9551/1auo9.jpg
http://img234.imageshack.us/img234/2472/2aqq6.jpg
http://img234.imageshack.us/img234/5007/4agw4.jpg
http://img234.imageshack.us/img234/4533/7and5.jpg

Zvirgzdusala is going ahead - so I am told. Hope they will not decrease architectural qualities.

If I was rich guy and could buy me appartment wherever I want, I would buy certainly one in Riga in Zvirgzdusala a penthouse on top of one of the highrises there. Imagine the view in the night on the towers of the old town, and the future skyline of the skyscrapers in Kipsala, and Daugava and all the bridges accros it, I think the view is even better than from DaVinci. So this could potentially be a succesful project.

Nomels thanks for the night shots - imagine how it all will look when some opther hirises will be added to Hansabanka. Already the entrance in Riga comming from the airport and crossing Kipsala makes no shame for Riga.

In order not to forget this thread:

"Astra Lux" double highrise has reached full height - 24 and 22 floors (I have to count - may be there is also technical floor).
Now it looks like this:
http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/6335/astraluxqr3.jpg
Last autumn, still with the "yellow box" above it. Whole district around it is rebuilt.
http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/363/astralux2sj1.jpg

This building is getting speficic tiles which are able to remove air pollution and also to clean themselves - it should not be washed.

This is what it is going to look like.
http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/830/astraluxnq7.jpg

^^ Nice!!!

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p60/ZinedineLV/astra.jpg

^^^ I don't find it so nice at all! :ohno:

^me neither.





offtopic - have any of you guys done some photosessions in mežaparks? i believe i've never seen threads (or even photos) about this great suburb (?) of riga... as far as i know, it contains some architectural pearls from 1930's and earlier years....
anyone?

I had just a few... but now as my old computer burned down - none. Mezaparks is hard to take pictures - there is more forest than buildings (what is cool of course).

In order not to forget this thread:

"Astra Lux" double highrise has reached full height - 24 and 22 floors (I have to count - may be there is also technical floor).
Now it looks like this:
http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/6335/astraluxqr3.jpg
Last autumn, still with the "yellow box" above it. Whole district around it is rebuilt.
http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/363/astralux2sj1.jpg

This building is getting speficic tiles which are able to remove air pollution and also to clean themselves - it should not be washed.
- - -
"Metropolia" project (5 18-floorers) is going fast. Two buildings are completed, one reached full height, two others underway.

I work on the 2nd floor (Latvian/American count) of the glass cage to the left, so I see Astra Lux almost every day, that's probably why I hadn't noticed about the box disappearing.

/or

Here I decided to make another photo session on construction sites of Riga from above

Do you see the bright light at the lower part of the image? That is the construction site of Da Vinci.
http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/9257/myriga032gh6.jpg
http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/6052/myriga031ni0.jpg
Panorama Plaza
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/4563/myriga003nq6.jpg
The construction site of Z-towers is not apparent, but that is where they are gone rise - just left from Preses Nams.
http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/971/myriga035ct5.jpg
I hope this is going to change very soon as I expect to see Zakusala developments just between two TV buildings
http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/9712/myriga012eh8.jpg
...and last but not least the image of the site where the progressing new Concert Hall is going to be built.
http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/7733/myriga037wl6.jpg

^^ Nice photos!

offtopic - have any of you guys done some photosessions in mežaparks? i believe i've never seen threads (or even photos) about this great suburb (?) of riga... as far as i know, it contains some architectural pearls from 1930's and earlier years....
anyone?

I live in Mezaparks already a year - I may take some pics in spring, because now it's too gray and dark outside... Actually I don't like this aristocrate society, but at least this is the place that has perfect fresh air everywhere... :D

Southern bridge has linked both banks of Daugava! Length - 803 meters. To be completed by middle 2008.
http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/2345/riga1201sn0.jpg

Here I decided to make another photo session on construction sites of Riga from above

Do you see the bright light at the lower part of the image? That is the construction site of Da Vinci.
http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/9257/myriga032gh6.jpg
http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/6052/myriga031ni0.jpg
Panorama Plaza
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/4563/myriga003nq6.jpg
The construction site of Z-towers is not apparent, but that is where they are gone rise - just left from Preses Nams.
http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/971/myriga035ct5.jpg
I hope this is going to change very soon as I expect to see Zakusala developments just between two TV buildings
http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/9712/myriga012eh8.jpg
...and last but not least the image of the site where the progressing new Concert Hall is going to be built.
http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/7733/myriga037wl6.jpg



woww fantastic pics!!!!!!!!!!!! :applause:

Thank you Janis Lv. I am really pleased you liked them, because it wasn't an easy task to make them.

Look beneeth and have a guess from which part of the building they were taken from.
http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/7452/19ng3.jpg

Yess, that's what it looks like from the inside:):):)
http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/1080/20el9.jpg
http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/6158/21sp0.jpg

:cheers: nice pictures... very nice!

Southern bridge has linked both banks of Daugava! Length - 803 meters. To be completed by middle 2008.
http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/2345/riga1201sn0.jpg
Great! :)

Amazing development in Riga:)

Came across this today, maybe many of you (Gatis in particular) have already seen this site. It is http://www.jaunieprojekti.lv/ .

Cheers/prieka!

^^^Haven't seen that one yet! Thanks Into!!

Yeah, have seen it :)
- - -
Unseen picture of 27 floor apartment tower in Balasta dambis 11. To remind you - developer is Estonian "Manutent", construction shall start in end of this year or rather - beginning of next year.
http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/6803/balasta11kk1.jpg

This looks great... ^^
All pictures i've seen before from other side, doesn't looked so good!

P.S. What is the status about that space between DaVinci and Saules Akmens? And what's new with Preses nams?

OK, so let's go through all Kipsala - Kliversala projects
- - -
"That space" between DaVinci and Saules Akmens will get 24-27 floor high "Symbiotic tower" - absolutely great tower IMHO. Last week it was supported in the Construction Board - thus they have advanced a bit further along the bureaucracy chain than "Manutent" project. Who knows - may be they will start this year? From bureaucratical point of view that should be possible.
http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/9027/symbioticbuildingga5.jpg
- - -
No news about Preses nams site from me.
- - -
In Kliversala project site (7 towers, max 24 floors) active demolition on-going, they are hard working at detailed planning of area.
- - -
DaVinci (24 - 27 floors) - pile driving IMHO (haven't seen the place since 1 week)
- - -
Z-towers (30-32 floors and 25-27 floors) - pile driving started.
- - -
No news about "Hanner" tower or towers at Olympia mall - silence almost for one year.
- - -
No news about "Akropolis" towers (2x30 floors) either.
- - -
No news about 24fl "Pie pieturas" building between Preses nams and Saules akmens - the idea might be dead by now.

Da Vinci site was unlucky after the storm to become a swiming pool:(

I am a new member to SSC, but have been following along your enthusiastic postings regarding Riga city development for some time. Your thorough reporting of proposals is enthralling, and as I am planning to visit Riga this summer am looking forward to seeing alot of construction cranes erecting structural elements around the city.
One piece of curiosity: In the big picture of providing a housing stock for the city denizens, how do the new mid and high rise buildings affect the future of the Ziepniekkalni and Plavenieki apartment massives? Is it the city planning commisions desire to eventually replace the "Great Walls of China"? Is it economically feasable for the current residents of these flats to eventually relocate into the newly constructed residences? Or, are the commie blocks a future reality of the city-scape?
Cheers to all forumers!

In the big picture of providing a housing stock for the city denizens, how do the new mid and high rise buildings affect the future of the Ziepniekkalni and Plavenieki apartment massives? Is it the city planning commisions desire to eventually replace the "Great Walls of China"? Is it economically feasable for the current residents of these flats to eventually relocate into the newly constructed residences? Or, are the commie blocks a future reality of the city-scape?
Cheers to all forumers!


Welcome to the forum, "Pulkvedis Pods"!
I've been thinking about this lately.
I know that to catch up with the rest of the Europe in regard to the average size of the living space for all official and unofficial residents in Riga (1 mil) it is necessary to build another Riga (I am exaggerating) because the average living space for one person in Riga is 25m2 (compae to the European 35m2). What I know is that there are people who are trying or buying up and expanding into the neighbouring flats to increase their living area. Those who sell the flats are investing money as a front payment in a new project (house or flat). Of course not all the potential will be utilized because many people are used to small living spaces. Also there is a massive problem in Riga - profiteering. The prices are inadequately high in relation to the purchasing power.:cheers:

Bad news are that RD - Riga Council didn't support the Riga Concert Hall project. Good news are Ministry of Culture is going to propose to introduce a law similar to the National Library law to proceed with the project.
http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/773/6a0xk.jpg
Good news are that the project DUNE is going to attend the MIPIM 2007 exhibition to make some publicity and to attract more investors. Jurmala council is going to give their vote very soon. Hope they will not make it a political decision. It seems that it is approved by all the other institutions.
http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/9850/kapa3ak.jpg

Yes, thank you for the explanation. I recall that in earlier times a flat typically housed several generations making for very cramped lifestyles. And as I gather from your post, purchasing power is not keeping up with the inflation of housing prices. And yet there seems to be a market.
Which leads me to ask: what are the city population trends of the last 5 years? And does that serve as the chief influence for the type and amount of development city-wide?
I apologize if all of this is inappropriate to the thread.
P. P.

delfi.lt writes that Hanner has started the preparation works for multifunctional complex in Ropažu street. Some data:

Total investment: 107 mio €
Residential space: 7 buildings up to 17 floors, 900 apartment units
Office space: 15,000 m²
Commercial space: 10,000 m²
Parking places: 1,050

They also mention that today Hanner has plans for Riga worth of 133 mio €.

Yes, this is the "Hanner" project at VEF Culture palace - it has got the approvals.

I wonder how they can manage with 107 MEUR for such a huge project. Half-built "Panorama Plaza" alone costs 180 MEUR, but costs still are going up.

Population trends are miserable, Pulkvedis, - Latvia is dying out - birth/death rates are still not positive. Also masses has left Latvia for better life in Western Europe (Irland mostly). Riga metropolitan area has grown, Riga city population is declining and there is next to no one living in the countryside. Riga has become a major destination for sex tourists from Western Europe. The reality is that EU does not really need Latvia to have strong manufacturing and service industry - they are paying "compensations" for closing down the businesses (e.g. Liepajas Cukurs, Jelgavas Cukurs).
There are still no high ways in Latvia the maximum speed limit is 90km/h and in few places 100km/h.

People living in Latvia have a very non responsive attitude and there is no sense of community here. It feels so post soviet.

But that is OK, because I already got used to it after 3 months.

Sorry for being that pessimistic. There are some positive trends as well but you should not expect that much when visiting Latvia. I know few guys who spent 7-10 years in US and were misguided by the impressions of media in Latvia because when they arrived that nothing what so ever has changed and they were very very upset!!!

Really bad news are that several media is writing today that some mega projects (like Lucavsala, Zakusala) might get abandoned because of the rapidly rising construction costs and the stagnation of prices in the office market.

Yes, this is the "Hanner" project at VEF Culture palace - it has got the approvals.

I wonder how they can manage with 107 MEUR for such a huge project. Half-built "Panorama Plaza" alone costs 180 MEUR, but costs still are going up.

Maybe Lithuanians know better how to spend less for same? :lol:

come on, nomels, there is no such term as "EU" in business, the policy in sugar industry were lobbied by certain groups of interests, and the weaker ones should abandon their production.. this is a big exaggeration to say, that EU wants Latvia to be outsider, because Latvia is also part of EU, there is no logic in your statement.. as an educated person you should know, that any generalization leads to narrowminded conclusions, there are so many examples of local manufacturing businesses, that work mostly thanks to support of EU funds, I work for one of them, and our market is the whole world.. as for "there is no sense of community" - it depends, most of my friends are socially active persons, participating in various fields of organized social life; and if the trends remain the same, i.e., less you have to think if you have money for buying goods of first necessity, more people will be ready to spend their spare time for the good of community.. don't be too pessimistic :)

Symbiotic tower will be 91,4 m high, it will have 27 floors. Just a short info :)

come on, nomels, there is no such term as "EU" in business, the policy in sugar industry were lobbied by certain groups of interests, and the weaker ones should abandon their production.. this is a big exaggeration to say, that EU wants Latvia to be outsider, because Latvia is also part of EU, there is no logic in your statement.. as an educated person you should know, that any generalization leads to narrow minded conclusions, there are so many examples of local manufacturing businesses, that work mostly thanks to support of EU funds, I work for one of them, and our market is the whole world.. as for "there is no sense of community" - it depends, most of my friends are socially active persons, participating in various fields of organized social life; and if the trends remain the same, i.e., less you have to think if you have money for buying goods of first necessity, more people will be ready to spend their spare time for the good of community.. don't be too pessimistic :)


I am happy for you and your access to the EU funds. Good luck with them indeed.
You are right about generalizations. Every claim needs the appropriate evidence. The topic is vast so I thought I'll get away with my general feeling. Is there any logic for EU in pushing in temptation owners of sugar factories offering them hefty compensations? Is there any logic for EU in trying to slow down the rapid expansion of Riga City Airport? Is there any logic for EU in paying small fees for Latvian farmers not to produce agricultural goods? Is there any logic in penalizing new members of EU for possessing "surplus" of goods...yes, there is a logic for EU, but this logic is not beneficial for Latvia.
Are you saying you know plenty of people who feel attached and responsible for their community and environment around them? How do they do that? I mean what kind of activities they are involved in?

I am working full time, I've got four digit monthly pay before taxes, though I can not afford to buy a accommodation in Riga for myself because the house prices are ludicrous. How do you apply logic here? Who can afford them? Teachers? Doctors or nurses? Police officer who is not corrupted?

I love Symbiotic tower. Particularly those green bits.
http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/2635/94583870ir2.jpg

LIDO is going to build the manufacturing base for themselves in Salaspils. Mostly wooden architecture.
http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/6832/lido1xf3.jpg
Cheers!

It's not EU who is trying to stop Riga airport expansion. EU as institution is trying to get equal laws for everybody but well-established neighbor airports who feel competition in near future are finding ways how to use the laws against Riga. That's part of the business.

@nomels, even if you have salary "on hand" with four digits - even then you can't afford byuing new apartment inside Riga (my harsh experience). Especially if you have family. It's weird because vast majority of people have lesser salaries but somehow many thousands of apartments are built and sold in Riga.
- - -
That "Lido" building looks interesting. They keep in style, although I am not a big fan of it.

The Tallest Riga buildings diagram :)

January 2007

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p60/ZinedineLV/RigaDiagram.gif

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p60/ZinedineLV/ddd.gif

Zinedine - you are very conservative here :)

Panorama Plaza is too low in your diagrams. The height of the buildings themselves is 99 m for the lower tower and 114 m for the higher ones. Spires not included - they come on top.

Panorama Plaza III and Panorama Plaza IV are missing - for the first one concrete puring has started, for the second one - pile driving started.

Skanstes virsotnes are further than shown here - SVII have reached third floor, SVI are making first floor. Pile driving for SVIII and SVIV ongoing.

Pile driving for the last Metropolia building (Victoria) is on-going.

How about somebody made a construction update for Riga? :)

nomels, as Gatis already said, there is no EU against LV, there are certain groups of interests, lobbying their needs, using EU legislation and so on.. it's called competition on highest level; it's a pity latvian manufacturers still aren't able to effectively represent their interests in Brussels.. i suggest you to dig these issues deeper, and you will see, that there is no general interest to subvert latvian economy.. regarding salary/expenses, I agree, the prices for flats/houses in Riga is absolutely over the top, and prove that the main players in the market are re-sellers and people from abroad, especially Russia.. in Moscow, as I know, this is the best and safest investment to buy a real estate, 'cause banking system is weak; and as the ties between local and russian businessmen are pretty strong, the money from the East comes here in big amounts.. my friend, who is working for a russian real estate company, said, that this i not unusual to sell millions worth real estate in Riga _for cash_ to some local representatives of russian business :0

@nomels, The way I see it, Latvia is a teenager with typical teenage problems, attitude issues, bullies, crisis of personality, problems with authority, problems with motivation, trying to fit in, feeling of being misunderstood by the whole world, etc:) Once the country matures this all will be gone, the problems will have changed to wisdom.

@nomels, The way I see it, Latvia is a teenager with typical teenage problems, attitude issues, bullies, crisis of personality, problems with authority, problems with motivation, trying to fit in, feeling of being misunderstood by the whole world, etc:) Once the country matures this all will be gone, the problems will have changed to wisdom.

Interesting metaphor. I hope you are right:)

Since some of us have difficulty respecting authority:) , I would, nonetheless like to know if there is a chance of making your ac(kw)aintances this summer during my visit, and being able to discuss some of the issues you cover in this forum, and seeing closer up the development sites which are going to change the way Riga beckons to all who come to her.
About what nomels said about Zaku sala, and I've read earlier what Gatis has posted about it, I remember the bonfires there on the night of Jan 13, 1991. What a night on that island! Can't decide whether it was festive or down right frightening...anyways, is there any real advantage to Riga by having it further developed?
From the city of Angels,
PUlkvedis

Since some of us have difficulty respecting authority:) , I would, nonetheless like to know if there is a chance of making your ac(kw)aintances this summer during my visit, and being able to discuss some of the issues you cover in this forum, and seeing closer up the development sites which are going to change the way Riga beckons to all who come to her.


You can count on me:)

- First pair of "Metro Capital Management" highrises at Skanstes Street going through approvals. Designed by "Arhitektonika" and other architects. They proposed 17 floors, were cut down to 14. Apartments. Two more pairs will be proposed - but Board at City Architect has asked to diversify the height of buildings.
http://rus.tvnet.lv/news/images/upload/00_l_17594.jpg

/\ they look pretty good, and its EXTREMELY wise and good of the board to order them to diversify heights! Our planner too often overlook the issue!

One member of Board, when looking at proposed complex of 6 equal, round towers, said "This is not Riga but oil tanks in Ventspils".

Another building was approved in Centre, at Brivibas Street:
http://rus.tvnet.lv/news/images/upload/00_l_17592.jpg

Update ^^

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p60/ZinedineLV/RigaC.gif

Poster version
http://img444.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rigacay6.gif

Another building was approved in Centre, at Brivibas Street:
http://rus.tvnet.lv/news/images/upload/00_l_17592.jpg[/QUOTE]

Gatis, I thought that Riga City recommened to remove one of the floors of the tower because they want to fill out the corner between Brivibas and Miera streets and give that building dominating position. Is it true? I hope so!

Update ^^

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p60/ZinedineLV/RigaC.gif

Poster version
http://img444.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rigacay6.gif

You missed out the yellow crane on Da Vinci:)

@Gati - just wondering: Panorama Plaza II, III structure will be higher than Saules Akmens?

http://content1-foto.inbox.lv/albums26423404/martins~jegorovs/31-01-2007/sakmens-panplaza.gif

@Zinedine - I can't say how high will be the spire of Panorama Plaza but it sure should be higher than Hansabanka.
http://www.panoramaplaza.lv/webcam1.htm
You can see that the spire is quite serious - some 3 - 5 floors high.
- - -
@LV_Elf - yes, they asked to remove the top floor, just as you say.

@LV_Elf - yes, they asked to remove the top floor, just as you say.
What? :lol: As if without one floor it would be so different! Ridiculous!

What? :lol: As if without one floor it would be so different! Ridiculous!

No, it looks much better one level down. The tower looks overwhelming when it as tall as in the rendering. I absolutley agree with the City that the proposed building on the site of the destroyed pre-WWII, should dominate the intersection, just as it was before the war.

To my mind this Brīvības and Miera streets corner building looks too much 80s - in bad meaning! But, as always, there is a good thing about this project! At last Riga city council is starting to do something in this after-war scared place!

There is another place witch is in really in bad situation and this time this is in very heart of Riga - I think all Riga citizens know this bad example of "how to rule the city"! Marijas and Elizabetes streets corner! I guess for almost 15 years this building is like in these pictures! Very very beautiful building but such a shame for Riga! As i know, there is a unsolved property right problems with some owner witch live in Australia! Few years ago i heard that this building will be expropriated! Anybody knows this story and what is going there right now???

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/1954/p7140053ab3.jpg

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/9581/p7140052sj4.jpg

Nothing going on :( There have been tested several ways to solve it - but private property here is a holy cow - if owners ensure that building does not create danger, it can stand forever. He can get comparatively small fines for bad looks of building, but again - if he doesn't pay, court case costs a lot more than these fines and there are many chances that City will not win because... private property is a holy cow.

Legislation should be changed IMHO. But it is not a simple thing to do because at the same time we should support private owners of such buildings.

Nothing going on :( There have been tested several ways to solve it - but private property here is a holy cow - if owners ensure that building does not create danger, it can stand forever. He can get comparatively small fines for bad looks of building, but again - if he doesn't pay, court case costs a lot more than these fines and there are many chances that City will not win because... private property is a holy cow.

Legislation should be changed IMHO. But it is not a simple thing to do because at the same time we should support private owners of such buildings.

This situation is similar to one that frustrated Philadelphians some years ago, when real estate speculator, the late Samuel Rapparport, sat on some significant Center City properties and let them go to pot. The city was generally powerless, it seems, to do anything, except impose fines. Only after he passed away, did his estate have to deal with the situation at hand, and things begin to move. One of his beleagured buildings now stands freshly rehabbed, the Victory Building on the corner of Chestnut and 10th Streets. I wish Riga the best!

Yes, there is such a thing as demolition by neglect. :(

And I, too, do wish Riga the best! :yes:

Four highrise apartments for Plavnieki (or Purvciems?) got initial approval and will be presented for public hearings soon. 22 - 24 floors. Architect - "Arhitektonika"
http://img114.imageshack.us/img114/6802/copyoflubanas2xo8.jpg
- - -
Balasta dambis 11 got initial support but they have to revise some things in their project:
http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/1249/mbal115dx9.jpg
http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/6650/mbal112py4.jpg

The last one is really nice...

Just reporting to those who missed it out. Despite fierce opposition to develop Riga Airport to become a major airport in Eastern Europe the carrier Concors opened a 10 million euro repair hanger at Riga Airport. It will be able to repair up to 60 Boeing-737 and A-320 airplanes and more than 100 airplanes of the average size.

Who knows anything about this one?
http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/4030/bigpic17fe0.jpg
http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/5717/smpic17up7.jpg
http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/7236/photo2767zc2.jpg
or «Quality nami»?
http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/5623/maskbu4.jpg
http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/8500/mask2nq0.jpg

Quality Nami is long-known project to me, they are fighting with local people some 3 years already. Locals are against construction around the small pond in Kengarags and they have some truth - this place really is pleasant now. Quality Nami propose to develop very interesting building with unusual views to inner yard which would be pond instead.
- - -
That project with two highrises is unknown to me. I believe - this is one of tender proposals, where this project won:
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p60/ZinedineLV/id246_1_b.jpg
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p60/ZinedineLV/foto-3225.jpg

Hmm, thank you. Its cristal clear now:)

hoho ..... New proposal of Imantas highest building ?
http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/4030/bigpic17fe0.jpg

More info:
http://www.vestabalt.lv/index-lat.php?linkto=7&id=767

http://www.vestabalt.lv/userfiles/objects/photo2-767.jpg

^^ Looks like Z-Towers or this :
http://img114.imageshack.us/img114/6802/copyoflubanas2xo8.jpg

Thanks Gati and Nomels :banana:

Check out this land site general plan (also vizualization) which is situated in Riga,Plavnieki district .
Really enormous project!!!
http://foto.inbox.lv/stasd/soleville-ulbrokas/Ulbrokas-general-plan.jpg

http://foto.inbox.lv/stasd/soleville-ulbrokas/ulbrokas-district.jpg

Behind this project in Ulbrokas street "M.Pasaule ltd" build 3 new residential buildings,suppose 7,8,9 floor high(web page http://www.mparks.lv/.

Ufter some years- assume ufter 5 this part of Plavnieki district will not be silent as it is now,but will be very dirty and noisy.

yeah! Thanks Stass.

hoho ..... New proposal of Imantas highest building ?
http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/4030/bigpic17fe0.jpg

More info:
http://www.vestabalt.lv/index-lat.php?linkto=7&id=767

http://www.vestabalt.lv/userfiles/objects/photo2-767.jpg

Paldies for the info. It seems those houses would be built directly on the bus stop. :lol:

Many elegant midsize projects appearing lately. This certainly is one of them - apartment complex in Jaunciems (far north-east of Riga City behind Lake Kisezers). Architect - "Silis, Zabers & Klava":
http://img58.imageshack.us/img58/4313/jaunciems1wi7.jpg

http://img58.imageshack.us/img58/5369/jaunciems3dg3.jpg

http://img58.imageshack.us/img58/4325/jaunciems2hp7.jpg

^^ brrr.... :ohno:
Awful building comelex, so dark, and looks like "Troll homeland"

http://img58.imageshack.us/img58/5369/jaunciems3dg3.jpg
Wow
Excellent!

'wow' was my first reaction as well (:

Thanks Stass Dr. for information and welcome to our forum! :)

This is kinda commie-block style, but I like it - not because the buildings is beautiful, but because this project will give a new and fresh face vibe to this boring 9 floor gray commie baseline!

http://img68.imageshack.us/img68/6734/ulbrokasdistrictst7.jpg

Nearby placed second 4 highrise project from "Arhitektonika"
http://img114.imageshack.us/img114/6802/copyoflubanas2xo8.jpg

This is my made map with both projects! New highrise building district in East-end Riga!!?
http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/7223/00211kp2.jpg

http://img361.imageshack.us/img361/4272/003ny9.jpg
- - -

About apartment complex in Jaunciems - nice, interesting, but a little too local and NOT highrise! :sleepy:

These by far are not the only projects in "Far East" of Riga. It is planned that here will be located "eastern Gates of Riga", where the new Moscow road will come in (construction of this road starts in this summer). And there are many interesting projects:
The same "Soleville", inner yard:
http://img334.imageshack.us/img334/3603/soleville1xv9.jpg
8 12-floorers in Dreilini - to be built by municipality:
http://img331.imageshack.us/img331/6126/dreilini21ht6.jpg
http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/3770/dreilini22id4.jpg
3 26-floorers in Deglava Street:
http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/4039/picture042xo6.jpg
And many more projects. But I wonder - where the demand and ability to pay will come from???

Sorry, but all these are commies "Version X". Pretty ugly, never mind the glass :nuts:

Ability to pay, yes - I have no idea:)

More renderings of Soleville
http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/1254/id601jpiiic0101vv8.jpg
http://img374.imageshack.us/img374/243/id601jpiic0301ej1.jpg

Great projects! :) They look fabulous in comprasion with other commieblocks.

I don't like Soleville project myself. Most likely it will have good quality and tidy looks but... still looks like ghost from 1970ies.

I don't like Soleville project myself. Most likely it will have good quality and tidy looks but... still looks like ghost from 1970ies.
we will tell visitors of Riga, they were built in 70`s :banana:
the look very similar to some old projects in Paris :)

vz.lt writes that Lithuanian „inRED“ (belongs to InReal) and „MG Valda“ (MG Baltic) are going to build a multifunctional (residential, commercial and office) complex worth of 145-175 mio € on the left bank of Daugava. The total floor-area would take 150,000 m2 in a territory of 6 ha. The construction period is estimated on 2008 to 2011.
There was an architectural competition among „Kileveins“, „Cheese house blues“, WSFJJP and „Riga fishes“ and the latter two were chosen. The designer will be clear on Feb 14th.

In seeing all of the glorious renderings of proposed projects and the many projects currently being built, there seems to be little, if any discussion about the cultural fabric of the city. How will people go about their day to day lives? These projects that are reminiscent of the "commie blocks" might have a higher quality construction and finishing, but everyone will just rush from work, to their car, park under the building, and take the lift to their floor and flat. From there they can feel safe watching the few intrepid (or desperate) souls who will adventure out into the wasteland between these towers.
In Vancouver B.C., they have tried to combine vertical density with "richness" at the street level by including retail and some residential units that have doors and facades located along pedestrian walkways. Imagine, if you will, a project that has 2-4 story buildings with flats (much like a block in Rigas Centrs) and in the middle of that block is a 20 story highrise tower.
There are examples http://www.westbankcorp.com/residential.cfm?projectid=29&PID=7here and I have pictures, but do not know how to upload them.
Without that human scale on the ground plane, the environment will be just as inhuman as it was during the glorious years of the proletariat.
Anyone currently living in a residential tower that can give us some perspective as to this issue?
Is it just me, or is anyone else concerned about this?

Good news!
Astra-Lux final/official height is 72m and up. :banana:
http://www.apollo.lv/portal/ipasums/articles/92602

http://www.apollo.lv/upload/2007-02-06/92602/as.jpg

Ints, in Riga there are also some projects with similar approach - but still on drawing boards. Kliversala highrise district will have very humane "ground level" with channels, greenery and "Amsterdam style" buildings. Also Zvirgzdusala plans similar approach.
You know - may be the reason is that the ability to pay here still is not too high - people unfortunately can't afford all the whistles and bells of beautiful life.

- - -
Today was reading that if two years ago 4000 EUR per m2 seemed much in Riga, now it becomes the standard price in Centrum. The most expensive project now is "Gipsa fabrika II" in Kipsala - 10 000 EUR m2.

Development in Zakusala will start this spring (oh, so many promises have been broken so far in Riga). First buildings to be started are:
http://img93.imageshack.us/img93/8910/parskatsch9.jpg
all the yellow ones (apartments and offices) and the blue one (SPA hotel).
They were approved in City Development Committee.

Ints, in Riga there are also some projects with similar approach - but still on drawing boards. Kliversala highrise district will have very humane "ground level" with channels, greenery and "Amsterdam style" buildings. Also Zvirgzdusala plans similar approach.
You know - may be the reason is that the ability to pay here still is not too high - people unfortunately can't afford all the whistles and bells of beautiful life.

- - -
Today was reading that if two years ago 4000 EUR per m2 seemed much in Riga, now it becomes the standard price in Centrum. The most expensive project now is "Gipsa fabrika II" in Kipsala - 10 000 EUR m2.

Sirsnigs paldies Gati!
I do not mean to bash development and I know you did not imply that I am bashing all of the plans being developed for Riga. As a landscape architect with experience specifically in large-scale projects, my main concern is that development be done well in order to produce a sustainable urban/residential fabric. In addition to the primary program (housing, mixed-0use, or commercial, etc.) two overriding concerns with any development is how people places and nature places beyond the primary program are addressed.
Gati, as you know, with these developments come additional infrastructure demands (traffic, roads, utilities) which, if the people places and nature places were desgined well, could address much of these additional needs. Creating places for residents outside of their flats, bringing nature and natural approaches to stormwater treatment into these areas could reduce transport and utility infrastructure demands while making a better living environment.
Specifically with the redevelopment of rajoni such as Purvciems, Imanta, utt., including such necessities would provide concrete and substansial improvements in quality of life and real estate value.
If anyone has an interest in how tis can be done, I would be more than happy to expand on this here in the thread or "offline" via email.
P.S. I do remember two years ago when a friend of mine thought that asking 4000EUR/m for a flat in Vecriga was pushing it! I wonder how much Vecriga flats are going for now?

Thanks for invitation Laurijs!!Thanks to all for comments!!
Glad to see how people exchange the information between each other!!This forum gives me a lot information about Riga ,Latvia development in building,architecture.
Excuse me for my bad English(latviski buutu daudz vieglaak rakstiit)

Very interesting information from Gatis too and others forum members!!!My district is Plavnieki,so i am interested in all this information.But all the new project(better to say ,the most amount of the new projects whis are going to be built does not looks very sexy:( )


Give to all for considerationsome new information about Slokas 130 project in Imanta district in Riga!
So ,think that this mix of commie-block style houses and new glass/metal residential houses in neigbor sites makes realy awful sinergy.

http://foto.inbox.lv/stasd/slokas-street-project/general-plan-Slokas.jpg

http://foto.inbox.lv/stasd/slokas-street-project/Slokas-130-1.jpg

http://foto.inbox.lv/stasd/slokas-street-project/Slokas-130.jpg



Paldies par uzmaniibu!!
Thanks!!

Just reposting to improve usability of the site:)
http://img102.imageshack.us/img102/20/imantacg1.jpg
http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/395/imanta1ok0.jpg

^ Hmm... very interesting project! Thanks :cheers:

Development in Zakusala will start this spring (oh, so many promises have been broken so far in Riga). First buildings to be started are:
http://img93.imageshack.us/img93/8910/parskatsch9.jpg
all the yellow ones (apartments and offices) and the blue one (SPA hotel).
They were approved in City Development Committee.

Yesss.... :banana:

Some NEW pictures:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t270/MartinsLV/zakusalas-estate4.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t270/MartinsLV/zakusalas-estate3.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t270/MartinsLV/zakusalas-estate5.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t270/MartinsLV/zakusalas-estate6.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t270/MartinsLV/zakusalas-estate7.jpg

Turns out that @nomels is correct - in Imanta is proposed this project:
http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/7236/photo2767zc2.jpg
Designed by "Arhitektonika", two towers, each 28 floors, 94,2 meters, jp to 378 apartments.

Let's see how they will proceed.
- - -
28-floor apartment building by "Arhis" proposed for Lucavsala (Lucavsalas Str 1), height - 96 meters, helipad. I don't know if it comes in place of "Talie skati" or is another building.
- - -
City Development Committee has approved Rumbula development concept - it envisages new area of city to be developed for 40 000 people - apartments, kindergardens, opffices etc.. Up to 25 floors.
http://www.apollo.lv/upload/2007-02-07/92720/rumbula1.jpg

Oh yeah, Zakusala will seriously rock!! :nuts:

hoooooraaay for zakusala :D

What a load of projects and renderings on paper. I wonder if even half of them will be realized before our little Baltic loan-based economy boom would have a serious melt-down? I have serious doubts that this artificial real estate boom, which ignores badly the demographic situation, has the inner power to continue in long terms :ohno:.

What a load of projects and renderings on paper. I wonder if even half of them will be realized before our little Baltic loan-based economy boom would have a serious melt-down? I have serious doubts that this artificial real estate boom, which ignores badly the demographic situation, has the inner power to continue in long terms :ohno:.

I mostly agree about the realty bubble, but talking about loan based economy, we are not that based on loans yet as the west are ;)

Astra-Lux

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t270/MartinsLV/11974_AstraLux-JM.jpg

^^ This building is amazing. Its form is so simple, elegant, and beautiful.

Any new news about Z-Towers?

If there wouldn't be that red top part, Astra Lux would look like a decent tower for me. But I am not a big fan of these "Rotterdam style" towers (there are built many similar towers). I would say 6 out of 10 points.
- - -
Z-Towers are built as fast as possible. There are working 6 pile drivers (!) and lots of other technics. I wonder how they manage to squeeze so much technics on such a small plot.
http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/4822/daugavgriva4ei5lx.jpg
- - -
Da Vinci - seems that pile driving is over and they are preparing site for construction cranes.
- - -
Galleria Patollo - groundworks ongoing
- - -
Riga Plaza - groundworks started
http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/2395/rigaplazaki5.jpg
- - -
Complex on Krasta Street - groundworks just started
http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/7347/krasta4nn0.png
- - -
Interesting project in Mezaparks started - Keizarmeza krasts. Groundworks started
http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/3592/keizarmezakrastirx8.jpg
http://img381.imageshack.us/img381/3155/keizarmezakrasti2al5.jpg
- - -
New hotel at "airport road" (Kalnciema 90) under construction - designed by local "8AM". Groundworks on-going as well.
http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/6007/kalnciema90zs5.jpg
http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/7867/kalnciema902no4.jpg
- - -
Alauksta Street in southern part of Centre will get this (approved, may be under construction already). Architects - "Depo projekts".
http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/1875/alaukstaielawk1.jpg
- - -
Viru Street in northern part of Centre has got such proposal - by Vent s Didrihsons. Now there stands low wooden building, looks very old, like from beginning of 19th century. Looks abandoned and rural. Hope that it will be moved elsewhere and get a new life.
http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/3442/valkasiela2av1.jpg
http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/7138/untitledav7.jpg

^^ Nice update - thanks :)

absolutely fab projects the lot of them!
Especially this:
http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/1875/alaukstaielawk1.jpg
Love the old new thing, the Jugend form "reflection" in that tower is really nice.

http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/7138/untitledav7.jpg
this is also some different = nice.

Two winning designs for the Mukusalas ~9ha site.
http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/6021/n038mukusalaskileveinsad1.jpg
http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/5448/mukusalas3dr2.jpg
http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/7079/mukusalas2uz7.jpg

Developer of Mukusalas quartal - Lithuanian Dommo - say that construction will not start earlier than in 2008 and development of quartal will last 8 - 10 years. Area - 9,5 ha, planned investment - around 160 mio EUR.

They plan to develop new city quartals with squares, much water, channels. It is interesting that both winners of the architecture tender propose single accents - 12 - 17 floors high buildings. Which really to my mind will make the landscape more lively. The site has got Daugava waterfront and historical channel - Kileveina gravis, but developers will make at least one more channel.

One of the winners - Belgian 51B4E - propose 5 squares. One of them - Central square - will have greenery, Daugava square will have nice views over Daugava to Old City, trade plaza and two more. They propose to add several 12 - 16 floor buildings.

Another winner - Latvian Uģis Šēnbergs - propose linear element - central channel - as the main element in this new part of city. In winter it could serve as the main public skating ring of city, with cafes and shops all around. He proposes 17 floor building as central accent.
- - -
Sharp increase of investment activity in Jurmala registered. While in the first half of 2006 there were registered only 20 deals with sum exceeding 425 thousand EUR, in second half of 2006 there were registered 34 deals with sums exceeding 850 000 EUR each. Largest deal - 4,5 mio EUR.

Experts evaluate that part of these deals are with speculative intents, but major part - with a wish to make investments. Contrary to popular beliefs, Russian money here does not dominate - it's mostly local money.

City Construction Board today has given preliminary approval for "Mezaparks SPV" 800 mio EUR project and the project will go for public hearings in April this year. 25 ha, total planned floorspace - 452 000 m2, apartments 262 000 out of this. Offices and hotels - 116 400 m2. Up to 3 000 apartments, planned No of inhabitants - 7 000. Planned realisation time - 5 - 8 years.

Apartment buildings would be 5 - 6 floors high, perimetral. Closer to the planned Northern Corridor there will be "wall" of office highrises.

Through the district will go park

A pair of pictures from www.sweco.se Website:

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/2724/mezaparksswecodx8.jpg

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/961/mezaparkssweco2ft4.jpg
- - -
Nice project to my mind:
Kraslavas Str 14 (Maskacka), architects "MG Arhitekti"
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/9094/kraslavasielaal6.jpg

Some projects from Finnish CEJ architects:

This was proposal for Mezaparks (see above, less impressive SWECO project finally won):
http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/6382/mezaparkscej3bz1.jpg
http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/62/mezaparkscej4xt8.jpg
http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/3716/mezaparkscej2df3.jpg
http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/8397/mezaparkscej1ci5.jpg

This is older project for Skanstes Street area, apartments at Grostonas Street. I can't say whether this is still actual:
http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/4004/grostonas2sf9.jpg
http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/6079/grostonas1er9.jpg
http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/5845/grostonas3xu7.jpg

This project is unknown for me - they say in Website - Dreilini. Didn't know that there has been architecture tender.
http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/4739/dreilinicej3zy1.jpg
http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/3083/dreilinicej2wo4.jpg
http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/9546/dreilinicej1hs7.jpg

This one is fresh, "Merks" at the end of last year organised tender on design for one quartal in Lucavsala, CEJ won with this project:
http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/8580/lucavsala2nc0.jpg
http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/6/lucavsala1lp4.jpg

I just love those inner city redevelopment projects. They appear so creative! Wonderful postings, Gati.
BTW, Mezaparks -- is the development territory a green-field, or currently built-up?
Thanks.
Pulkvedis

Mezaparks ir completely "greenfield" development. It has some bad looking Soviet time military barracks on it, as far as I remember.

Dreilini looks awsome.


Another perspective of Mukusala winning design
http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/5185/mukusalakiliveinswq4.jpg


Another illustration of Bojars Mezaparks/Ciekurkalns perspective architecture
http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/3092/file16892551mezaparks1dl1.jpg


Ropazu street proposal - at the opposite side of the LMT office building. What is this? Gatis, would you mind?
http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/6301/ropazuzy1.jpg

The construction works on this one will strat at the November 2007
http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/8804/lnb1aho3.jpg

I hope just that when you're going to build all that new staff on riga's riverfront you will considered the *unesco old town*....
i heard that if you will build all that skycrapers, old part won't be any more part of UNESCO...is that true?!

Contrary to many cities with such monuments, Riga historical centre is the living centre of city - and not some secluded touristy place a bit away from the real City. We have two options - to turn it into dead, stuffed animal for joy of (some) UNESCO officials or to continue having lively, diverse city, just as it was the previous 8 centuries.

City did hard work and elaborated extremely detailed Development plan for Historical Centre as well as unprecedented skyline analysis for the planned highrise districts with hundreds of viewpoints analysed. To elaborate them we artificially stoped the development in the central city for several years - and this was extremely complicated political step, a bit akin to stopping a mighty river while making archaeological excavations. Not too many cities in the world do it. We won't do it anymore, because now we have plans for protection and understanding about the things we need and don't need.

It seems, there is more problem with ambitions of local UNESCO staff, who see protests as an easy way for international career. After all the work done I don't care if UNESCO leaves World Heritage status for the city or not - because now there would be only artificial reasons for such action, not real threat for cultural values of Riga.

Started public hearings about two 25-floor apartments at Deglava Street. Have shown them earlier, but here new renders, architect - Z 4
http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/2421/deglava25stavniekitp5.jpg

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/793/deglava25stavnieki2pq3.jpg

Riga City got a new mayor - Janis Birks. Former mayor Aksenoks was removed last evening. Birks promises to fasten the development of city, as well as to support the construction of concert hall. One of the formal reasons why Aksenoks had to resign was his objections against the selected site of Riga Concert Hall - on peninsula in Centre. Also the conflicts between the coalition parties so far stopped or slowed down accept of many decisions.
- - -
Company "Elipse BLC" has received 5 bids for construction of this ultramodern automatic 20 mio EUR logistics complex at Riga airport, area 24 600 m2. To be completed by October this year.
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/3567/elipseblcsd7.jpg

They expect to start construction of 15 - 16 floor office centre and conference centre in airport in this year as well.

Some news from the new Webpage of Sarma&Norde (www.sarmanorde.lv):

"Vēju torņi" (Wind towers) - group of very high towers (35 - 40 floors) in.... I don't know where. The pictures are small. This could be Podrags (north from Kipsala) but may be not
http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/6556/vejatorni1kx3.jpg
http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/7341/vejatorni2jp7.jpg
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/777/vejatorni3db4.jpg

"A māja" - highrise proposal in Kipsala
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/406/amaja2le4.jpg
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/761/amaja1tm7.jpg

Some news from the new Webpage of Sarma&Norde (www.sarmanorde.lv):

"Vēju torņi" (Wind towers) - group of very high towers (35 - 40 floors) in.... I don't know where. The pictures are small. This could be Podrags (north from Kipsala) but may be not
http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/6556/vejatorni1kx3.jpg
http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/7341/vejatorni2jp7.jpg
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/777/vejatorni3db4.jpg

"A māja" - highrise proposal in Kipsala
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/406/amaja2le4.jpg
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/761/amaja1tm7.jpg

That's on skanstes street - actually just a sketch project I think (biroju kompleksa priekshlikums) :D

In Skanstes street? Will be hard to get it through - too much impact on historical skyline IMHO. Current development plan does not allow such height although formally it can be changed.

Some news from the new Webpage of Sarma&Norde (www.sarmanorde.lv):

"Vēju torņi" (Wind towers) - group of very high towers (35 - 40 floors) in.... I don't know where. The pictures are small. This could be Podrags (north from Kipsala) but may be not
http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/6556/vejatorni1kx3.jpg
http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/7341/vejatorni2jp7.jpg
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/777/vejatorni3db4.jpg

"A māja" - highrise proposal in Kipsala
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/406/amaja2le4.jpg
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/761/amaja1tm7.jpg

:eek2: OMG!!! Looks like ..... (maybe Dubai towers)

http://sniper1980.googlepages.com/dubai_towers.jpg

http://www.crystalcg.com/upload/imageandflash/images/chenggonganli/C/jianzhu/tuleibie/niaokan/23.jpg

In Skanstes street? Will be hard to get it through - too much impact on historical skyline IMHO. Current development plan does not allow such height although formally it can be changed.


no, no, no :ohno: ... in Sarkandaugava.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t270/MartinsLV/karte.jpg

no, no, no :ohno: ... in Sarkandaugava.
Yeah, that's what it looks like to me too.

I hope the "Vēju Torņi" (or similar projects) don't get built. It looks like they just took a parallelogram and distorted it a bit in ArchiCad. True, from engineering perspective they are impressive and challenging but the human factor has been completely ignored. Flirting with chaos might be acceptable for a small scale artistic/cultural venue, where it can both shock and impress (like Guggenheim in Bilbao or even Acoustic Concert Hall project in Riga) But when creating vertical accents in the cityscape one should first and foremost think of harmony and human perspective. The chaotic rough edges and sloppy forms make one feel edgy and disoriented. Actually I take my words back, both Guggenheim and ACH in Riga leave much more organic impression, and fit their environment much better. This project just tries to outrage.

However, if they polished up their design a bit, and reduced the floor number to maybe 9 - 12 this sort of an approach could work quite well. As for the Dubai project, it looks much more organic, the shape can be easily interpreted as a spiral. And spiral is much more human-friendly than a smashed milk carton.

Veeja Tornji huh.... Looks exacly as raz said - like smashed milk packs.
Impressed by size of this project and by height, but location sucks definately, and design is .... conflicting... :)

"Vēja Torņi" - I love it! At last really interesting skyscraper design! The location is bad, but towers is just great! If located in north-west corner of Skanstes street, then the location is OK to me!

"Vēja Torņi" (Wind Towers) - seems sound to me! What a shame that the high rises are so dispersed across Riga. I mean existing ones and the ones that are going to be built, They would make all together such a fabulous sky line. The height in urban areas is crucial (as high as possible) to enable convenient place for living and working. Kipsala would be such a spectacular place for it.

no, no, no :ohno: ... in Sarkandaugava.

At least the direction was right... :D

The Tallest Riga buildings diagram :)

March 2007

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t270/MartinsLV/March2007.gif

Few more pictures of the recent architecture tender for Mukusala - this is work of architect U. Senbergs - one of two winning entries:

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/6578/mukusalasenbergs01vm4.jpg
Yay, twisted tower!
http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/3981/mukusalasenbergs09tv3.jpg

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/1258/mukusalasenbergs10ux7.jpg

That tower looks cheesy.Thank you Gatis.

Mūkusala -green and colourful- I like it :)

- Dommo Mukusalas street 45/47 development (ex Celtniecibas pasaule & Akvalande) -

one of two winners - Belgium architects proposal :
http://photos.fotki.lv/photos/11/W0001293/000129225/000012922446_%23_2_%23_williams.jpg
http://photos.fotki.lv/photos/11/W0001293/000129225/000012922447_%23_2_%23_williams.jpg
http://photos.fotki.lv/photos/11/W0001293/000129225/000012922449_%23_2_%23_williams.jpg
http://photos.fotki.lv/photos/11/W0001293/000129225/000012922450_%23_2_%23_williams.jpg
http://photos.fotki.lv/photos/11/W0001293/000129225/000012922451_%23_2_%23_williams.jpg
http://photos.fotki.lv/photos/11/W0001293/000129225/000012922452_%23_2_%23_williams.jpg
http://photos.fotki.lv/photos/11/W0001293/000129225/000012922453_%23_2_%23_williams.jpg

The base height can vary between 4 and 6 fl oors, the towers between 12 and 16 floors.

- Dommo Mukusalas street 45/47 development (ex Celtniecibas pasaule & Akvalande) -

second of two winners - architect Ugis Senbergs:
http://photos.fotki.lv/photos/11/W0001293/000129225/000012922454_%23_2_%23_williams.jpg
http://photos.fotki.lv/photos/11/W0001293/000129225/000012922455_%23_2_%23_williams.jpg
http://photos.fotki.lv/photos/11/W0001293/000129225/000012922456_%23_2_%23_williams.jpg
http://photos.fotki.lv/photos/11/W0001293/000129225/000012922457_%23_2_%23_williams.jpg
http://photos.fotki.lv/photos/11/W0001293/000129225/000012922458_%23_2_%23_williams.jpg
http://photos.fotki.lv/photos/11/W0001293/000129225/000012922459_%23_2_%23_williams.jpg
http://photos.fotki.lv/photos/11/W0001293/000129225/000012922460_%23_2_%23_williams.jpg
http://photos.fotki.lv/photos/11/W0001293/000129225/000012922461_%23_2_%23_williams.jpg
highest building proposed 17 floors, 60,60 m

oho!!!! :nuts: ...Nice!
Thank you!

Winner of competition - architect Alvis Zlaugotnis:
http://photos.fotki.lv/photos/11/W0001293/000129226/000012922598_%23_2_%23_williams.jpg
http://photos.fotki.lv/photos/11/W0001293/000129226/000012922596_%23_2_%23_williams.jpg
http://photos.fotki.lv/photos/11/W0001293/000129226/000012922595_%23_2_%23_williams.jpg

Another initiative (SIA «Molle») with buildings up to 17 floors has got the preliminary approval next to the Panorama Plaza plot between Lielirbes, Ventspils un Kauguru street.

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/4180/irbe1hv8.jpg
http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/4638/irbe2je5.jpg
http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/194/irbe3bw7.jpg
http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/1407/irbe4ae5.jpg
http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/7318/irbe5at3.jpg
http://img108.imageshack.us/img108/2724/irbeff5.jpg
http://www.apollo.lv/

Construction updates in 03.03.2007

Z-torņi (Building A and building B). Works is going-on pretty fast!
http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/4423/001kj0.jpg

http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/6752/003jn1.jpg

Da Vinci Big hole under water line with concrete bottom! Today no action.
http://img473.imageshack.us/img473/247/p3030036rj3.jpg

http://img473.imageshack.us/img473/8643/p3030037ht0.jpg

http://img473.imageshack.us/img473/9939/p3030039fc6.jpg

The left far side of Da Vinci construction site is about 2-3 meters under waterline with concrete bottom + piles diven. Right side, as you can see, is just confined area belt with these steel piles!
Sorry for the last pictures quality! The wheater condition today was more than horrible! Rain, heavy fog and pretty windy! :)

Nice pics!!! Can't wait to see all towers to start rising above! :okay:

Cheers. The quality of pics are OK - this is not a sunny Australia:)
Though this year the proper winter with the temperatures below zero in Riga was of short length - just February really. That means more construction works could and will be done I believe.

The Da Vinci site got flooded and was below the water fully in January storm. Just wondering if that will (and how) affect their works (construction is done byRBS/Skals). Hope they'll be alright.

Wow!!! :banana: Thank you Laurijs!!!

Da Vinci construction site looks like a mess. I remember that there was much better order earlier. May be it is because of floods.

Interesting!

Here is the link (http://www.riga-airport.com/media/file/GR_1'07_final%202.pdf) where you can see the newest Riga airport magazine "Gateway Riga" Spring/Summer 2007. There is few interesting articles about Latvian aviation history and future plans of Riga Airport! With pictures and of course in english! :D Enjoy!

Wow Laurij. This is awesome. I could not resist the temptation to post them here. Particularly the monorail vision:)
http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/1975/airportdu5.jpg

It looks like :lol:

It looks like :lol:

Do you think this is a joke?

Wow Laurij. This is awesome. I could not resist the temptation to post them here. Particularly the monorail vision:)
http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/1975/airportdu5.jpg

Is this the future international airport of Riga? :drool:

:master: :master: :master: :master: :master: :master:

Btw, monorail, very smart! Very modern! Very ecological! Very much long-term thinking! :yes: :okay:

Radisson hotel, which is seen on lover picture, has to be started in this spring.

What regards the airport itself - I am afraid that it won't get such good architecture as seen in these renderings. With the change of airport management the new management will push for "as fast as possible" development what will mean cut of any development costs (except safety, of course), and large barracks for pushing through of all those planned 30 mio passengers per year. But we will see.

What regards monorail - I am not sure that it is really monorail, it rather is the "common" tram on two rails, just rised above the soil in some places. But we can be sure that this line will be the first to be constructed when the new tram of Riga finally will start development. The previous development, which planned to start with line No. 6. has been scrapped and now city is reconsidering its priorities.
- - -
City Architect Board has looked at triangular, red 17-floor apartment highrise proposal for city southern gates (direction - Jelgava) in Mezkalna Street and has recommended to build it higher.
- - -
The new city mayor Janis Birks has rised idea - in future should be considered an option to demolish the "Stockmann" store at Central Railway station.

The new city mayor Janis Birks has rised idea - in future should be considered an option to demolish the "Stockmann" store at Central Railway station.
:bash:
I feel indignation at gross injustice. "Stockmann" looks better than many ramshackle fleapits in that area. :lol: It seems, some rats need a graft. Shame!

A demolition of stockmann would be STUPID...
I don't want to see a MAXIMA or some CRAP like that on this plot (just because they may have a better architectural quality in this artificially elected mayor's eyes)...

If this new Mayor is able to demolish the "Triangula Bastions", then I'll start to support his ideas, otherwise I can only spit on all of this...

Mmm. Stockmann doesn't fit in at all, if you ask me. The multiplex next to it ain't no godsend either. The contrast between early 1900s eclectic blocks and the developments including railway station, Stockmann and the Forum Cinemas create a stark dissonance. Stockmann being an *upscale* (at least here in Finland) retail chain could easily afford 15% increase in construction and development costs of Riga store to make it look worthy of a center of a European city.

So why don't I like the architecture of Stockmann (and its new neighbours)? It's cheap and utilitarian and belongs next to a motorway in the suburbs, not in the historical center.

Of course, I don't think that demolishing department stores is the priority right now. Maybe in 20 years when the rest of city is fixed up such glitches can be tended to.

Nevertheless there is nothing wrong in pointing out that the aforementioned building is crap, and serve as a warning to everyone else considering building substandard stuff in downtown Riga.

Gati,
did the new mayor suggest what might take Stockmann's place?
I actually would rather see the monstrous movie theatre complex go away and something less intrusive replace it that helps to reconnect the pedestrian and "natural" fabric in the area.
That last bit of the pils?tas Kan?ls really needs to be reclaimed to create a truly decent connection to the Daugava. Same goes for the other end over by Andrejsala!

I actually would rather see the monstrous movie theatre complex go away and something less intrusive replace it
Sorry? Do you understand, what consequence it may have? I tell you- no serious Scandinavian investor would invest any money in the city in next 250 years.

Mmm. Stockmann doesn't fit in at all, if you ask me. .
:lol: Of coure it doesn't fit- it looks like a diamond in a dump. In that run-down area with homeless and drug addict it is the only building, where you can't get flea.

Btw, monorail, very smart! Very modern! Very ecological! Very much long-term thinking! :yes: :okay:

As much as I know ... that's not monorail ... there is a tram line planed to the airport, but don't know why it looks like a monorail :D

As much as I know ... that's not monorail ... there is a tram line planed to the airport, but don't know why it looks like a monorail :D

Thank you so much Hybrid87 for the information! :yes: :okay:

Without the Stockmann that area will remind me of the 'good old times' before - a typical crap-area full of old smelly drinkers - was a load more dangerous area than nowadays...

I think they should better take care of that pedestrian territory from stockmann til' the railway bridge, where you have just some lousy broken seats, garbage everywhere and a whole load of bored taxy drivers... :D

Stockmann and Cinema complex don't fit in architecturally, and there are no arguments against that. Yes, the environment has become much better. Yes, the central market area is full of drug addicts. That's not the point.

Demolishing it right now would be retarded, because the country is poor. But people should keep in mind that the quality of the new architecture in that area would make the creators of the early 20th century Riga turn in their graves. And, as soon as the finances will allow it the redevelopment should be done.

Actually, don't take an offense, I am Latvian myself, but sometimes I think that we inherited a great German city without knowing what to do with the beauty, or true ability to appreciate it and make it better.

Just my 2 cents.

I agree - Stockmann as such is civilised place and it has made the place better. But they simply had to invest a bit, a single bit more to have good architecture, not just a cheap barrack.

Winner of competition - architect Alvis Zlaugotnis:
http://photos.fotki.lv/photos/11/W0001293/000129226/000012922598_%23_2_%23_williams.jpg


terrible! For that part of riga is still historical center and to my mind it completely doesnt go together with the architecture around it. I am glad that they are filling the space between buildings accordingt to this perimietral building tradition of 19 century. But not with monsters like this. The type of building reminds me one building on town hall square and the new building on corner of Kaleju and Theater streets. Is this some kind of terrible fashion or just lack of imagination or simply taste. I cant believe they will just let build that building. If they build this you can build everything in modern Riga obvioulsy

I agree with you, Janis. This is what modern architects consider "contextually sensitive." Heck, no! :rant:

What I don't like in Latvian architecture is that they're far too much searching for innovation, in the end, everything turns out to be something really odd or actually looking exactly the same as any other new building...

Sometimes our architecture looks like a birthday cake with meat instead of strawberries on top... :lol:

May be but it does not justify creation of low quality architecture in Centre which looks out of place.

I guess Latvian architects and public are looking for actual Latvian architecture style, which is modern yet doesn't conflict with historical surroundings. In this process many mistakes are being made, and will continue to be made, until an acceptable compromise is reached.

I just hope that public and developers are being educated in the process. It's very important that urban development experts and architects get as much exposure in mass media, so that people get to participate, and there is dialogue between all parties.

At least here in Finland and Helsinki, some really awful stuff was built in 60s and 70s, but now there seems to be a more or less uniform (without loosing all variety), yet acceptable to everyone style of architecture which is in harmony with environment and surroundings.

I saw in London very good new building that was build right next to victorian house. It was built new and ddint try to be innovative not all buildings have to be modern in the city centers, but not also reproducing old style. They simply build it from 1. bricks 2, the facade was symetric 3 windows had slight classic ornations but very very slight, so it was a new byuilding that was not somehow special but perfectly blend in the context, Thats how they should biuld in 19 century riga. Please - at least respect the simetry.

Solution for stockmann would be to develope surrounding area - bridge to central railway station etc .... and maybe to reconstruate the existing building, to improve the style and look!
But to demolish this site, I think, is not necessary, because the empty place is no better way there and if stockmann will be demolished, then what would be build there ... and when? Yes - the building is not a pearl in face of Riga, but this is not a argument to call the demolishing company!

P.S. As said CrazyKing, they should better take care of those other crappy places in Riga centre such as the theritory from stockmann to the railway bridge, central bus station area, wrack in marijas and elizabetes corner, area oposit ex-central post office ... and so on!

Laurijs, you are absolutely right. I agree 100% that a decent facade change is enough for Stockmann. And it can't be that expensive. It's realistic even in medium term time perspective.

Would be hella cool if they built stores/cafes under the railway by borrowing into the mound in the two underpasses (Gogoļa & Prāgas) in that neighbourhood, would make the tunnels brighter and cleaner. And I'd say that's pretty realistic, too. The place is prime location, investors shouldn't be hard to find. My guess would be that from engineering point of view it could be a bit tricky, but not impossible.

And they are planning to move the bus station couple of blocks to the south, aren't they? The rest is very much tied up with the developments in the central market, I doubt that it will stay the way it is for a long time.

Yes raz, this is the best possible way to develope this place!

But still I am wondering why there is no solution for bus terminal area? I don't mean these student projects, they are good but only student projects. I mean some future attitude. If the central bus terminal will be moved to area near Zinātņu Akadēmija highrise (!?) then what will be in existing bus terminal area???? Another Maxima????

As we all (Riga citizens) remember in place where now stands Stockmann/Coca Cola plaza, in the beginning (1997 i guess) there was a plan to build there a multistorey car park. But then, when was opened earlier multistorey car parks and they was a half empty, Riga city council freezs this idea and that place was standing there with naked piles and 2 cranes for about 3 ot 4 years (?). And then came Stockmann idea.

My offer in nearby future ex-bus station is remove railway sand-bank and put railway lines on fly estacade (don't know exactly how this air bridge type calls :D ) to let whole area breathe! Then under bus terminal build 2-4 floor undergroun car park and over that some high standard mall or shop prominades or entertaining areas or even a park! In my mind underground car park is needet there because a lot of people is going to coca cola plaza, and most important - to central riga market! Or even to central railway station! Parking problem there is HUGE! Stockmann undergroun and multistorey car park on the other side of sand-bank is always full and the last one is really hard to reach and REALLY bad architecture!

What do you think folks?

Few pictures from this area:

Front side of central bus station building.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/5387/34839254kl8.jpg

Front facade of Stockmann/Coca Cola plaza building
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/2989/72433889er0.jpg

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/4396/40034786ld0.jpg

Back (ugly) side of Stockmann directed to central market side.
http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/8152/10137673wm4.jpg

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/3144/66864237ne9.jpg

Some small pics of "Kapa" complex in Jurmala, architect - Dutch S333
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/9506/kapa1fv4.jpg

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/530/kapa2ms1.jpg

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/254/kapa3rl4.jpg

"Soleville" starts selling apartments:
http://img482.imageshack.us/img482/4908/solevillehv3.jpg

Nice!

I have some other pictures:

http://www.apollo.lv/upload/2007-03-12/95225/vlc-2007-03-12-12-33-20-96.jpg

http://www.apollo.lv/upload/2007-03-12/95225/vlc-2007-03-12-12-33-26-67.jpg
http://www.apollo.lv/upload/2007-03-12/95225/vlc-2007-03-12-12-33-42-04.jpg
http://www.apollo.lv/upload/2007-03-12/95225/vlc-2007-03-12-12-33-44-80.jpg
http://www.apollo.lv/upload/2007-03-12/95225/vlc-2007-03-12-12-33-29-60.jpg
http://www.apollo.lv/upload/2007-03-12/95225/vlc-2007-03-12-12-33-47-44.jpg
http://www.apollo.lv/upload/2007-03-12/95225/kapa1.jpg
http://www.apollo.lv/upload/2007-03-12/95225/kapa3.jpg
http://www.apollo.lv/upload/2007-03-12/95225/kapa2.jpg

http://www.vilniausmetro.lt/ ^^

Gati go on, meybee you can help Riga too :lol:

Vilnius is getting to build metro? Can anyone translate the resume from this site? I don't give a word in lithuanian. Thanks!

That Webpage of Vilnius metro represents wishful thinking. It's funny to see the arrangement of different articles showing how bad is tram worldwide and especially for Vilnius.
Regarding Riga - sorry, metro issue still is out of question. The much cheaper tram project has been stopped because of lack of money - should we look for a lot more expensive solution instead now? Be real, let's build good, fast tram line to airport first.

^How far is the airport from the city centre?

Gati, can you tell us what is the good fast tram line ?

^How far is the airport from the city centre?

Similar distance as in Tallinn I'd say. :)

Not more then 10 km I think

The best ultra modern and super-duper fast tram NEVER be better as ordinary metro! OK! We don't have money to do this, but why to dream about some tram lines and spend money to make some plans if everybody knows, that in the end (from since - in far future) the only solution for all problems will be metro!

Maybe the best way to spend money is to start paperworks and research for future metro lines! And if investors will see that some movement from freezing point is going, maybe they will "sing another song" and suddenly some money starts to arrive?!

I am ready to permit underground Maxima-s in the metro station for 50 years! Just let it happen!!! :D

We need a political will, then everything will be easier!

P.S. And what about "existing" metro line from VEF to Old Town!?

Maybe the best way to spend money is to start paperworks and research for future metro lines! And if investors will see that some movement from freezing point is going, maybe they will "sing another song" and suddenly some money starts to arrive?!

--- Sorry for large edit ---

Exactly. Plus don't forget that if the local companies and people get to build the metro the money invested, no matter how much, stays in Latvian economy, and gets back to public, once the economic multiplier effect (http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiplier_%28economics%29) sets in. Although, yes, there is that nagging current account deficit problem. But for sure that won't last for ever?

As for spending on metro fueling inflation - well, I don't know, but I partly deal with that lower. Also we must keep in mind that if Riga starts thinking/working on metro now, the first line will be operational in around 10 - 12 years, a lot of things will change by then. If work begins now, by the time the construction begins, Riga will be much richer. There are also other factors that may soften the inflationary pressures of metro construction. First of all, to pull it off the government spending in other areas can't grow as fast. And secondly, a couple of metro lines would bring Greater Riga Region's competitive abilities to entirely new level, the ripple effect will have impact on the whole of Latvia. Inflation shows its ugly face when growth potential is exhausted. Metro, on the other hand could inject some serious steroids into Riga's economic organism.

There is no such thing as "wasting money on infrastructure". As long as that infrastructure is desperately needed, as metro is in Riga.

As for the timing for this project, some talks about it can already begin now. But the most of the capital expenditure on it should take place as soon as current massive GDP growth rate stops, and Latvia enters recession (remember, economy is cyclical, so its unavoidable). This would alleviate the slowness of economy and help Riga's region to get a good start for the next rapid growth cycle.

This could also jump-start some of Latvia's not completely dead manufacturing enterprises. Trains and rails can for sure be manufactured locally, as well as scores of other equipment.

I am ready to permit underground Maxima-s in the metro station for 50 years! Just let it happen!!! :D

We need a political will, then everything will be easier!

P.S. And what about "existing" metro line from VEF to Old Town!?


Interesting point about Maximas:)

And what should we do about the VEF line in your opinion?:rofl:

Good points, RAZ! I feel a lot of optimism in you. I think plans and research of metro wouldn't hurt and wouldn't cost that much. 10-15 years is a long time in a sense that so much can change. However, I have come to the conclusions that there are urgent solutions needed for traffic problems - South Bridge, North Crossing, elementary street repairs and motorways streching out from Riga. The financial matters are not clear for them yet:( Don't know, RAZ, if luxuries like metro will be ever applicable to Riga if there will be modern trams, buses, park-and-rides and congestion charges in Riga center.

Don't know, RAZ, if luxuries like metro will be ever applicable to Riga if there will be modern trams, buses, park-and-rides and congestion charges in Riga center.

Riga city development plan outlines polycentric layout for the city. In practice the only way to achieve polycentrism is to have a functional and fast underground rail system. Polycentrism is also a very significant part of a solution to traffic congestion downtown. So metro is actually double plus good for Riga:)

Motorways in and outside Riga are also crucially important. Motorways will make the whole country truly "polycentric", same thing that metro would do for Riga.

It recently hit me that it could very well be, that one of the reasons Lithuania has several rapidly developing cities apart from Vilnius, is that they already have a motorway system connecting Vilnius to Kaunas and Vilnius to Klaipéda.

And to rephrase Lenin, "Metro is not a luxury, it is means of transportation!" :)

And to rephrase Lenin, "Metro is not a luxury, it is means of transportation!" :)

Lenin is alright:)
:lol:

Interesting point about Maximas:)

And what should we do about the VEF line in your opinion?:rofl:
nomels: I am talking about this publication. For first hand maybe it could looks like russian press fake, but there is few VERY interesting facts about metro line existence. Plus anyone notice the unusial Brivibas street layout nearby VEF - like there was a empty place for metro station entrance!

But basicly, if this line exists, this will be a proof for 2 things.
First one is that this line stops speculation about that in Riga metro building is impossible because of high groundwater line or because old buildings can't handle underground works.
Second - we already have one line - let's go further!

here is that article about Riga metro line no. 1 (http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/4589/ochemmolchalbojars1ae9sr3.jpg)

I have red that article - I believe its true. Nice one anyway, lets do that! I am participating for 6 months in the construction as a voluntary unskilled worker :)

No metro, please!

No metro, please!

Why is that?

It's OK to have metro while it is not financial disaster. But in Riga it can be financial disaster and I am per 95% sure that it will be.

See why:
- there are several cheaper solutions which to great extent will solve passenger movement problems in Riga. This includes:
- - more efficient tram system - faster trams, new lines, low floors of trams.
- - two more bridges over Daugava - they are essentially needed to avert heavy traffic from Centre and will let Riga to become industrial harbour city. After all - we need to earn some money, not just live.
- - traffic system reconstruction in several places, especially around the planned Accoustic Concert Hall.
- - reconstruction of light rail system. There is brilliant railway network in Riga - why not use it? Rough estimates show that 20% of people in Riga will switch to this kind of transportation after it becomes pleasant. And it will - there is planned project for it.

Now imagine that city after all these needed investment decides to build metro as well. It will cost some 2 - 3 billions at least to have some 3 proper lines - but most likely more. If it is built on PPP basis (there is no other possibility) on 25 years DBOT - that is - after 25 years it has to be paid off and transferred to city - city will need to pay to investor at least 14 million lats (20 mio EUR) per month for 25 years. This makes at least 240 mio EUR per year - but most likely a lot more.

City budget income in 2006 was 435 mio EUR - and city barely can survive on this. You see yourselves that street network in the city continues to deteriorate and there is not enough money for a lot of essential things. OK, may be maximum 25 - 40 mio EUR could be found for metro - but not hundreds of millions.

OK - you would say that city budget shouldn't pay for it - metro tickets will cover the costs. Let's assume that those three lines would be incredibly efficiently located and will serve 1/3rd of daily commuters inside Riga city - and assume that approximately 3/5ths of people in Riga city borders are daily commuters (again - optimistic). This would mean that 145 000 people will use these three lines two times per day - if we are happy.

OK, we can imagine that our people change habits and outside commuters leave their cars in suburbs and use metro as well. We have some 200 000 commuters - let's assume, 2/5th of them will use metro twice a day. That adds 80 000 per day.

In total - if we are incredibly lucky - 225 000 people two times per day use metro. How much they have to pay to cover the incredibly cheap loan (because I made it here incredibly cheap) - 25 - 40 mio EUR per month. And they in our imaginary world are working 30 days per month, of course. So... a little calculation and... we have to pay AT LEAST 2 - 3 EUR for one-way trip - just to cover the loan.

It means that the common worker will have to spend 35 - 50% of his present day salary for that damn metro. If we are lucky. But most likely he will have to pay more - some 75 - 90% of his salary.

Meanwhile nearby goes bus, which costs 0,43 EUR to use.

Please, guys, be real.

I don't believe about this old line, haw it is possilbe to put it into secret and why. But we can do meeting and begin searching, first at Vef area, and maybee near the Dailes teatris :lol:


About this fast tram: Just imagine what will be happen after 20 Years....

The problem is that most of people don't think in future about 30 years but in next 10 years, and there is the problem.

Ita you can talk, but for sure this will be without results^^


Of course there is financial problem, but there is possibilites like Laurijs told, so wee need to teach them a lesson:lol:


The bigest problem is that we ar talking long logn long time about things, who will bee not so effective.

So Riga needs:

Motorway around center,
bridges and tunnels,
Modern high peron train system even more than this tram,
Underground transport
Modern trams

I think that parrallel they can plan full metro or underground tram costs.

Just imagine haw meny scryscraper areas there will bee and this is just terrible that we are talking about streets and trams with low floor till the 2032.


I think that there is need to talking about PPP and investments (for investors who wants to build this policentrical districts and so on), wee need also maybee some kind of special transport rates for sure. Also some transport rate for car drivers who are registered in Riga, I am ready to pay 5 - 10 lats per monts for metro.


Just need to thinking. And of course lot of people who are working in Riga councill and traffic deparment needs a really restructurization.

OK, we can spend some money on pre-feasibility study for metro (in fact minor study was done while making city development plan), but we can just throw out that money in wind as well. I am sure that you as taxpayers are extremely happy about such actions.

Metro is not possible in coming 10 years at least. And there is absolutely no sense for any feasibility studies for things which can start developing only after 8 - 9 years. Better wait some 5 - 6 years and then do it.

What regards the entrance cost for cars in Riga Central area - this will be done sooner than you think. But this barely will cover the costs for maintenance of existing street and public transport network. Be real.

Please understand that I am not against metro - after some 10 years (if we continue to grow per 9 - 10% per year) some feasibility study can be done and if it is positive - we can go ahead. But now there are lots of other nice things to do.