My second serious attempt to establish thread like this. ;)

Kipsala to become Riga's new modern architecture center, buildings up to 40 floors high (24th March)

Company Arhis has been asked to collect the results of recent international tenders and competitions about Kipsala development to elaborate the vision about the development of Kipsala island.
Sorry - I do not have the pictures yet - their homepage www.arhis.lv is down today :(
Today Riga City Development department is looking through this document. Kipsala island is some 3 km long, it is located in opposite coast to Old City - in middle runs Daugava river which is some 800 m wide here.
http://www.rsp.lv/arh/bildes/kartes/kipsala_kliversala.gif
Here the island in upper left corner
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis7/637675123.jpg
The main conclusions:
Northern part of the island has many characteristic historical buildings and the historical environment there should be kept and continued.
http://www.rent.lv/img/first_04.jpg
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis7/976926923.jpg
In the northern part of the island there is planned tunnel, connecting it with the left shore (Ilguciems). There, along the shore would be running underground street - magistral way to Riga harbour (would post the Riga transportation development plans later).
In Kipsala there is planned to develop new tramline, mostly on estacades.
Southern part on contrary would be densely built with highrise buildings, although Riga city planners and architects are still discussing how dense and high these buildings would be.
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis7/976946923.jpg
In Kipsala southern part and around Agenskalna licis there would be built 15 - 30 highrise buildings. One or two of the buildings would have height up to 40 floors, most would be around 30 floors.
An 1 year old small picture, then the project was not that far developed:
http://www.architektura.lv/images/skate/2.jpg
Here the city would be developed in three levels. Lower level would be for transportation, middle level - lowrise office and living rooms and upper level (mostly on the roofs of the buildings) - green area and parks. It is planend to create green corridors to other parts of cities, as well as wide, green promenade with trees through Kipsala.
Zunda channel would be cleaned and developed as yachting area with pubs and promenades at the shore.
Middle part of the island has Technical University. It is planned to rebuild it too, but here the height if the buildings would be less - up to 10 floors.

The vision is going to be included in detailed plans for this area, which would be elaborated until 2006. Huge planning works should be made for infrastructure planning, as a district of highrise buildings would have high requirements on water, electricity and other networks. In total the realisation of the whole vision would require some 20 years, especially long time would take development of tunnels, underground streets, green areas.
After building of Saules akmens the interest of investors in this area for building highrise buildings is very high. As you might know - one 24floor highrise would be started this spring.
There has been made also public opinion poll. Among other questions - 17,9% fully agree with building of highrise buildings around "Saules akmens", 40,8% - partly agree.
They are very careful and slow, taking into account any possible interests... but I like it that way. These works would change city forever and the changes should be the best possible!

Wow, that futuristic skyline looks awesome and well balanced. Thanks for update :okay: Hope to see some further development of that plan :)

What an exiting project!

The infrastructural challenges with projects like these are huge! Not only water and electricity, but the most important infrastructure that needs to be in place before the developement is finished, is public transport. You already mentioned a tunnel, but are there other plans concerning this? I imagine a tramline from the old-town or from some trainstation would be nice:)

Looking very much forward to see more photos :cool:

Thanks, Gatis, for the interesting information! Imo, Kipsala is a right place for the skyscrapers, it really is outside the Oldtown area and would form a nice skyline of its own on the other side of Daugava! It would be even better than in Vilnius where Neris is a bit too narrow to really separate the "two cities"..

I also think that you could have nice highrisers in Mackava district, next to that Stalinist Science Academy skyscraper! No plans about that?

Yes, Jeffas, there are plans too in Maskavas district... would post it some other day ;)

Nice to see something is going forward in Kipsala, CrazyKing has provided quite some info about the future of Kipsala, it was supposed to become a highrise district but as I remember there were some problems, but now it's all ok right?

Originally posted by Gatis
Yes, Jeffas, there are plans too in Maskavas district... would post it some other day ;)

That would be very interesting! Please, do it!

Are there any plans about Skanstes iela?

This plan sounds superb!!! I'm really thrilled about it! (:

Looking forward to some more information....

Kipsala was supposed to become a highrise district but as I remember there were some problems, but now it's all ok right?
John, there was problem. It seems to me - Riga City Council was not ready to quick development of highrises there some years ago. Most of planned activities were stopped to elaborate good development plan for this area. There were organised several international tenders to find out the best way for development of this area, public discussions. Still it would take several years to plan everything thoroughly to make something fine, but some projects have received " green light" already now.
Another thing - initially public was quite hostile towards highrises. "Saules akmens" to great extent has changed this opinion to the best, and now public here seems to be waiting for some more highrises.
There are issued the new Riga City building rules. They currently state that height limit in Kipsala is 121 m, but the area behind Kipsala can build higher buildings - have not read how much exactly. It means - there is green light to highrises in Riga. At the same time there would be very high requirements to architecture of these highrises.
Are there any plans about Skanstes iela?
Norum, I have not heard anything new except multifunctional hall, whichi is under construction now, midrise hotel and some shops. I would expect that it would be not highrise area...

Maskavas district? i thought it's kind of run down area?
Or that the whole idea -redevelopement?

As Kipsala redevelopment was widely discussed one year ago, currently there are interesting discussions around Maskavas district (Latgale district) redevelopment.
Here you can see that it has some problems... and some specific values (as team of Russian architects said, it looks like 19th century Moscow... although in Moscow this has not survived anymore):
http://maskfor.lv/atteli/ielas/maskavas01_big.jpg
http://maskfor.lv/atteli/ielas/maskavas02_big.jpg
http://maskfor.lv/atteli/apbuve/udenstornis02_big.jpg
I did not have time to show the results of international seminar, which took place in February. But I plan to do it when I will find time ;)

One more ridiculously small picture of Kipsala development vision...
http://www.diena.lv/bildes/rig_2403.jpg

Originally posted by Gatis

One more ridiculously small picture of Kipsala development vision...
http://www.diena.lv/bildes/rig_2403.jpg But a good one :okay:

Great news! The tallest building in that vision looks like some 200+ scraper :eek:.
I think the examples of Tallinn and Vilnius helped Riga to make a final decision ;).

@Jeffas: Not only Neris river but also a big area of land separates the old town of Vilnius and the new city center (although I think you know this fact, but your post does not show this ;))

Thank you for another interesting and informative thread, Gatis! :) So now the differences among the planning approaches of the three Baltic capitals become clearer: while Vilnius and Tallinn went ahead and started building tall, Riga engaged in a serious long range planning cycle, almost like the "Sleeping Beauty" of the three.

I think it is this long, practically inactive phase that so frustrated our friend CrazyKing. :wave:

But now it's full steam ahead, right? :horse:

It's fortunate that Saules Akmens is such a beautiful building! :happy: Had it been less handsome, Riga might have ruled out more highrises altogether.

I think the examples of Tallinn and Vilnius helped Riga to make a final decision
and
So now the differences among the planning approaches of the three Baltic capitals become clearer: while Vilnius and Tallinn went ahead and started building tall, Riga engaged in a serious long range planning cycle, almost like the "Sleeping Beauty" of the three.
...I think, there happened something in the middle between these approaches. Of course, looking at Tallinn and Vilnius made to think about some things too.
http://www.realty.lv/rus/img/news/12429224032004135638.jpg
These guys :horse: are on-line finally ;) (Lithuanians could understand it better)

I've found some video on that ;)
http://www.tv.lv/mconsole.asp?id=706F7A35-ACD3-40B5-BF63-F4E60C6CF780','TVMConsole','width=641,height=512

Originally posted by Edd
Great news! The tallest building in that vision looks like some 200+ scraper :eek:.
I think the examples of Tallinn and Vilnius helped Riga to make a final decision ;).

@Jeffas: Not only Neris river but also a big area of land separates the old town of Vilnius and the new city center (although I think you know this fact, but your post does not show this ;))

Agree about the area of land in Vilnius, but still from what I remember the skyscrapers would be further away from the Old Town in Riga. Maybe I'm wrong, let's wait and see ;)

Thanks for that great video, Mantai! :banana:

And I (cautiously of course ;) ) tend to agree with Jeffas: in Riga the highrises will be farther away from the Old City than in Vilnius. Why? The Daugava River is very wide. :)

I just took a look at the map, Saules Akmens is not more than 800m away from the old town so in fact not further away than in Vilnius http://www.virtual.lv/maps/baltic500000/riga.htm

True. Seems it is some 800 m. But it is nearly impossible to get in one picture both Old Riga and Saules akmens. Almost from any position you look to one or to another but impossible to see both at once. Flatness of Riga and the big river create both visual and psychological barrier.
No, no no I do not want to start this discussion about highrises near Old cities. This is useless. And if frankly - I do not think that highrises near historical centres is something completely evil. Old Riga is already surrounded by highrises... and the ones across Daugava would disturb much less than some of the existing ones.

Gatis, I remember when you created your first Riga developments thread. I read every post you made, though I can't remember whether I posted there anything. Why I'm saying this is that there definetely is at least one Finn out there, who is interested to find out more about Latvian projects. So, in other words, keep up the good work. :)

Make that two finns! :)

Anyway, the model seems quite impressive even though it´s hard to say about the heights of those towers planned. It seems that Vilnius and Tallinn are getting tough competition from the between :)

This development could make a beautiful skyline seem from the other side of the river. :cool:

It seems that Riga mobilises the interest of all our Scando-Baltic community! :D And it should, it is in the centre! :D Thanks, Gatis! ;)

We have a phrasal here like "Where two beat each other, the third wins!" :D

Thanks for kind words! This is really pleasing, although this is still only a vision... Riga currently has 6 buildings with at least 20 floors (this is my definition for highrise), and we hope to get three more in coming two years. But for a cluster of highrises we have to wait for some 6 years at least, I think. As we are the last ones in Baltics in this respect, the only thing I hope - this cluster would be something what no one else has.
Time for the next news, and this is complicated to present in an interesting way:

Rebuilding of Maskachka - tough task for future
You may not know it... but Riga has the following historical division - Old City + Boulevards + Centre is one thing. But then there are the historical suburbs - Zemgale, Kurzeme, Northern, Vidzeme and Latgale suburbs.
http://maskfor.lv/atteli/kartes/rigas_karte_big.gif
Each of these districts developed almost as a separate city with its own historical centre etc. Today these historical centres are protected.
The last one in Russian Empire and Soviet time was called Maskavas (Moscow) district, and in local jargon it is just called Maskachka. Today there are widely used both Maskavas and Latgales.

History
This suburb (forstadt) developed already in early middle ages. It was built from wood as in these times in a case of attack these wooden buildings could be quickly burned down and the people were hiding beyond citywall.
http://maskfor.lv/atteli/gravira/gravira.gif
This happened too some times, last time in 1812 - Napoleon war. The Maskachka centre we see today was developed in 1820ies.
The people who were settling there were coming from Russia and Latgale - eastern part of Latvia. When industrialisation started in 1870ies - 1900, there came especially many people. As they were coming from poor country (there was hunger in Latgale then), they were quite modest and poor. Their houses were as simple as possible and they worked the least paid and most difficult works.
This district already then got quite bad image - people were heavily drinking there, there was more criminality. There was also a lot of interesting charity activities, which resulted in high number of churches.
Historically this district always had majority of Russians.


Values
Not many places in the world have preserved such whole old wooden suburbs (Riga has preserved four - also Zemgales, Vidzemes, Kurzemes). In fact I would be happy if you would call one, because I still do not know any other place in the world. Architecture here mostly is simple, but it is something you do not see elsewhere, at least not in these amounts.
Some of churches in Maskachka:
The only oldbelievers church in the world with golden dome, built in Russian Art Nouveau style. There is also active cloister for men:
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis8/1278499433.jpg
St. Franciscus church, very very impressive inside:
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis8/1278799433.jpg
Very beautiful and stylish orthodox church, very huge:
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis8/1278459433.jpg
Another huge orthodox church:
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis8/1278509433.jpg
Catholic church, the biggest wooden church in Latvia. Today it looks there almost the same, could not find good picture:
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis8/1278519433.jpg
And many more churches.
There is also preserved the historical network of old streets with characteristic wooden buildings and simple Eccleticism and Art Nouveau masonry buildings:
Old picture of Avotu Street (both beautiful and terrible?):
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis8/1278539433.jpg
Maskavas Street:
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis8/1278569433.jpg
Maskavas Street:
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis8/1278579433.jpg
Do not know the place:
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis8/1278589433.jpg
Ludza Street:
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis8/1278559433.jpg
Ludza Street again:
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis8/1278549433.jpg
Daugavpils Street:
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis8/1278469433.jpg
There are many quite interesting industrial monuments too:
Central Market:
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis8/1278719433.jpg
One of three gas reservoirs - at the beginnig of 20th century gas was used for streetlights etc. One of them to be rebuilt as a gothic rock concert hall:
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis8/1278729433.jpg
Two water towers. Riga has numerous such watertowers. The nearest one has a very active ghost:
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis8/1278739433.jpg
And there are many more interesting things. Also this:
http://www.lszda.lv/fsi/FSI-LV/adrese/LZAVarens.gif

Problems
There are two big problems regarding Maskachka.
No.1. - contingent of people living there. Somehow it has ended up with the situation that the share of narcomans, alkoholics, criminal people is quite high there. Walking in nighttime in Riga in general is quite safe... but not here. What to do with all these people? Would general people like to come and live here?
No.2. - very very bad condition of housing and infrastructure. In Soviet time it was planned to remove this disctrict, and it was done partly. They had some economical reasons to do it, I think. Of course, the houses there were not repaired at all over the last 60 - 70 years. Many houses are abandoned, their owners - in America and not willing to invest there... and just waiting to sue the city if the houses are removed.

Dilemma
Should Maskachka be removed from the Earth surface? The Riga City would have free hands to build somehting comparatively cheap and comfortable here.
Or it is value, which would be shining like a diamond after many millions would be invested?
Would narcomans disappear just because the district would be better?

Neigbours
Maskachka is squeezed between railway and Krasta Street. The last one is an American style shopping 6-lane street with some 35 highend supermarkets and shops, built over the last 5 years. In nighttime it shines in neon and is always full with people. To the southeast - commieblock district Kengarags. To the northwest - Old City. Unfortunately the vicinity of Daugava River is not used yet.

Asking consultations from international community
In the middle of February Riga City invited teams of architects and cityplanners from Germany, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Spain, Italy, Austria, Denmark and Finland to investigate Maskachka and give some consultations, what should be done about it. They worked here for a week. Prize received Austrian architects (Garden City Maskachka), second prize - Finnish. But it is even not that important as all the teams provided much information to think about.
Most teams came up with the proposal that this area should be developed as green apartment + office area. And there should be slow evolution - city should invest in development of infrastructure and this would bring in new people here, willing to renovate and relive it. Here could work also a program of some tax reductions and specific support from the city and state (are we very rich?).
Anyone agreed that city environment here is unique and there is needed large preservation program. Some say that these suburbs are good candidates for UNESCO World Heritage status.
In this picture the grey area is the part of Maskachka, which was discussed in meeting
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis8/1270909433.jpg
One proposal plans to make something like green business zone between Krasta street supermarkets and the old districts
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis8/1270919433.jpg
Proposal to bring in there culture, sports and science. There is already Civil Aviation University (which is closed down unfortunately)
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis8/1270939433.jpg
Public is discussing this issue very much too. Seems, currently there is governing opinion that part of heritage should be preserved but in most parts there should be built something new. Contrary to architects public does not find attractive these simple wooden houses.

What are your thoughts. Does this district look like something valuable to be kept? Or Riga is just too much wavering and it all had to be bulldozed some 50 years ago?

Raze it! It requires modernizing! :D :D :D

However, thanks for info and photos attached. Seems that same district has stuck few decades back and people just live and degenerate there, thus it need modernizing, modern buildings etc, cos nobody will be able to preserve them for further centuries because of wooden architecture :)

We have some similar districts, but also very opposite looking to each other - Zverynas and Snipiskes. The recent one is now getting a new name The New City Center and many new buildings from all the sides are being built and the newest vision looks at Snipiskes as a most modern cluster in Vilnius.

The other district is Zverynas, that has preserved numerous samples of wooden or other old architecture and in fact it looks very different from all the city of Vilnius. Some new apartment houses are being built or planned there (same SBA tower is going to be built in the corner of Zverynas) and the land cost is the highest in all Vilnius :D

However, wish Riga will do the best :)

Thanks very much, Gatis, for another interesting thread!
Latgale seems to have some really interesting architecture, lots of landmarks that remind us the Soviet times... But in my opinion the Central Market is one of the most ''out of place'' buildings [or a complex of buildings] in Riga. I really hate it.... It just doesn't fit in the city. And if I remember correctly then it should be very near to the Old Town as well (?), which makes it even worse.

What about you, Gatis, what do you think the city should do with this district?

P.S. - I would love to find out more of that haunting watertower... :colgate:

Gatis, thanks for your thorough explanations! You really took your time!

From what I can see and remember, Moskachka is quite a huge area, probably even larger than Riga's oldtown or close to that?

Imo, it would be wise not to try to impose one purpose plan on the whole area. What I mean is that this area is both close to the railway station and to the river. I think that it would be a mistake to seek create some prestigious residential area next to the railway as this thing usually does not work out even in the most advanced EU countries. But riverside could be an excellent and attractive place for renovated and newly built wooden mansions.

Some less prospective parts of the district, especially those close to the railway, imo, could be turned down and they should build some big object (stadium, gallery..) or office spaces where railway could be used to meet the needs of public transportation.

These are only my spontaneous thoughts!

Thanks for your input! :D
Mantaz:
Seems that same district has stuck few decades back and people just live and degenerate there
Such city districts which are stuck back in past, seem to be romantic and charming for tourists, :D if they manage to survive there. I once was driving there around in nighttime with my Danish collegues - although we were in a car, and cars are never attacked there, they felt uneasy, and asked me to move to another district. Degeneration... unfortunately you are right. Sometimes it seems that Maskachka and degeneration are synonims. It is not favelas of Brasil, but I still do not think that anything in Northern Europe is nearer to this...
cos nobody will be able to preserve them for further centuries because of wooden architecture
I would disagree. Many people in Riga are hard working to preserve the wooden heritage, there are many pilotprojects, currently there is under planning reconstruction of whole street (Kalnciema Street). We are serious here about conservation of wooden architecture. Wooden architecture, if treated good, can survive for 1000 years.

Snipiskes is getting new name - New City Centre - unofficially or officially?.. Eh does not matter - if people decide to change names, you can not do anything about it.
Regarding Zverynas - seems, this might be last time to visit this district. I think, have not been there yet.

Jarmo:
ots of landmarks that remind us the Soviet times...
Nooo, not Soviet times. Mostly 19th century
But in my opinion the Central Market is one of the most ''out of place'' buildings [or a complex of buildings] in Riga.
I would agree, at least partly. Central Market is an early version of hypermarket. Then, in 1920ies this concept was something new to the world and there were many international delegations, mostly from US and Europe coming to Riga to learn it. Creation of Central Market eliminated numerous smaller shops in this district. And it architecturally seems to be out of place. Still - it is something a little better than modern hypermarkets. There are earning their profit some 20 000 people - and this alone is good.

What about you, Gatis, what do you think the city should do with this district?
I am conservationist by nature. I think that it has unique values. At the same time I see that it would be not possible to preserve everything there... The best option to me - to select some 10 streets and quartals for complete preservation, and in other quartals - just the valuable buildings. And Riga should take this decision as soon as possible. And afterwards - there should be lovered land tax and property tax. There should be elaborated also entrepeneurship support program - city should provide special support to small enterprises, which deal with arts and handicrafts, as well as education and science business. If this would be the only place in city with such support - then Maskachka has hope.
P.S. - I would love to find out more of that haunting watertower...
I would not say much. Only - the tower is haunted by former worker from 1920ies. There was a nice TV broadcast, including some direct transmissions of haunting. It was impressive.
http://www.i-mantojums.lv/images/objekti/udens_matisa.jpg
Jeffas
Maskachka is much much bigger than Old City. Riga Old city is miserable 12 ha, but Maskachka should be some thousand hectars.
I think that it would be a mistake to seek create some prestigious residential area next to the railway
There still is flying around this crazy idea. Some people here are able to think only about building of high-end apartments... everywhere everyplace. But I am sure in 1 - 2 years this would be over.
But riverside could be an excellent and attractive place for renovated and newly built wooden mansions.
I hope that in this case Riga would make green and public zone along Daugava. We still do not have such park at our biggest river. There is high need for watersports centre in city centre. This seems to be the best place.
Regarding railway - there are flying around ideas for last 50 years to move the railway underground in city centre and make there a belt of parks. Expensive idea...

Thanks Gatis the whole thing is very detailed and informative.
I was in this hood in better times and and still didn't understand
that it actually coud be turned into something cozy and attractive .

Another big Thank You and Bravo to you, Gatis, for a most enlightening and fascinating continuation of this wonderful thread! :okay:

You really present this planning/preservation problem with all its tasks, obligations & challenges extremely well. It brings up so many themes and questions reaching over a broad spectrum of municipal obligations in contemporary society! Like you, I'm very much in favor of preserving as much of the historic substance as possible. :) I realize that this is extremely costly; on the other hand, I believe such funds would be a good investment. Historic architecture is enormously attractive, downright mesmerizing. Once you've lost it, there is no way to ever get it back. All sorts of functions and activities other than just dwellings and small shops can be accommodated in properly restored buildings. Turning the old gas container into a music hall is a very good example of such adaptive reuse. :)

Very very interesting, thank you very much!

Contrary to architects public does not find attractive these simple wooden houses

But they will, once the area is resored. I'm all for preserving! It has been done with wooden neigbourhoods here with great success. Places like Vålerenga, Kampen and Rodeløkka, were once run down, but are now very popular, and priceless parts of town! Destroying them, like the plans were in the 70'ies, would have been a catastrophy!

I realize this is a larger area and the costs of renovating would be extreme, but still, the cost of loosing the area probably can't be measured in Euros. Once it is destroyed, it is lost forever.

@Gatis - thanks for your nice explanations! :)

Of course, it would be a very good idea to hide the railway into underground, e.g. like in central Warsaw or Paris, but it does need lots of $$$$!!

I think Riga is not unique in its large wooden area, e.g. we have plenty of such spaces in Kaunas, former turn of the century suburbs that even look similar to your photos, e.g. Vilijampole, Sanciai They used to be the districts of pre-war industrial workers and they are all close to the rivers because the main enterprises were also next to the rivers. Of course, imo Kaunas would not receive the same amount of $$$ and attention as Riga that is the capital of fast groing country! But we've also got some grand plans!..

Not much time today, thus I would post only this thingie:

Opinion poll in portal DELFI shows support to the highrise district in Kipsala, reaction of other press
http://www.architektura.lv/images/skate/2.jpg

There again have been many articles about Riga skyscrapers in newspapers from last days, here just two:
http://www.delfi.lv/news/national/business/article.php?id=7821167
Opinion poll where participated 4147 people, shows that 54% people think that skyscrapers should be built in Kipsala. 30% are against it and 16% do not care.
I read also comments - you should know that comments in DELFI nearly always are very negative. Many people cry out their Weltschmerz and unfulfilled dreams through criticising anything what the others do.
In this case there were not that many negative comments, mostly positive. The negative ones:
- good place for terror acts, repeated by three different commentators (oh, what a strategic and faresighted thinking?!?);
- fulfillment of ancient cult for fallic symbols. This time the enormous, 40-floor fallic symbols would help to extend the short moral fall of our nation and short falls of individual investors. This is also attempt to show off, how cool we are to others in a most primitive way.
- living and working high in skyscrapers will allow to forget about simple people down there;
- fulfillment of ancient instincts of ants (???);
- there still is missing concept of what is beauty. Such concept is needed before building skyscrapers there. (Please, help him, he is lost in his mind);
- too high buildings at the river are not harmonic, there is needed slow increase of height, like in Manhattan (?);
- new places for suicides;
- skyscrapers - this is thinking of 19th century. Now it is modern to build low buildings;
- skyscrapers are built everywhere, Riga should find something else to suprise the world;
There are posted also three poems about the blessing of one-floor high wooden Riga.

Another portal - "Apollo" - has published an article by popular writer Gundega Repse
http://www.apollo.lv/portal/articles/16441.
She writes her opinions about different actualities in newspaper "Sestdiena" and her most frequent opinion is - "I simply do not like it". So - she supports Riga Council in elaboration of visions, because visions are missing in our country. But the vision of building skyscrapers in Riga brings a feeling of horror to her. In Latvian skyscraper is "debesskraapis" - what means the same skyscraper. So she asks - what the sky has done bad to Latvia, if we are willing to scrape it? Or are we willing to feel Himalaya in center of Riga? Or spitting from 40-floor height seems to be cool? (yeah, this is good idea, it is fine to have intelligent people, who bring in such new ideas :D )
At the end of article she says - in general she likes this vision.
Heh, interesting. In this case nearly all commentars are supporting building of skyscrapers.


I think, you should see from this all that there are no serious objections to skyscrapers here. But the quality of their potential architecture is discussed very much.

Heh, Mantas, I noticed you comment there too. :) Sorry, I am commenting there with another name - many know me in Latvia

Originally posted by Gatis

Heh, Mantas, I noticed you comment there too. :) Sorry, I am commenting there with another name - many know me in Latvia Yeah, spammed a little :D What's your nick there?

Many. I am changing them as somebody starts calling me in my name.

Originally posted by Gatis

Many. I am changing them as somebody starts calling me in my name. Haha, where do they know you from :lol: ?

Heh, I am writing to some newspapers and journals about heritage protection, tourism, I am elaborating alternative approach to culture heritage information things and I am known also among environmentalists. Thus my views are sticking out as a needle to people, who are working in this area. Once I wrote with my real name, then it ended up with numerous phone calls to me directly. Better not anymore...

haha Delfi is a good way to promote your views, our Delfi also helped as to promote pro-skyscraper attitude among Lithuanians, if there's some article about skyscrepers then you may be sure that about 1/3 of all comments (skyscraper articles are usually very popular) are from guys from SSC :lol:

Thanks my Lithuanian buddies for advertising SSC in Latvian portals! Another Latvian is coming here :)

Originally posted by Gatis

Thanks my Lithuanian buddies for advertising SSC in Latvian portals! Another Latvian is coming here :)
Great! But it isn't enough ;). Maybe you know some other places than delfi.lv and can advertise this page there?

Originally posted by Gatis
Nooo, not Soviet times. Mostly 19th century


:lol: whoops!


Thanks for your informative answers! (:

Originally posted by Mantaz
Raze it! It requires modernizing! :D :D :D
Sorry, Mantai, but my opinion--like that of NorthStar :)--is exactly the opposite. Such quarters, once properly restored and rehabilitated, become invaluable assets to every city that is willing to invest the funds and time necessary to accomplish this. :okay:

One more time I return to the plans of Kipsala highrise district development. As there is on-going serious work at Riga City development plan 2006-2016, this plan is going to be used as a foundation for detailed design for this district. But it is still a vision, although well accepted vision with high possibility to be realised over the next 10 - 15 years.

Here below we see the district which was analysed in project of company "Arhis" (www.arhis.lv). It is geographical centre of Riga City. Centrepiece is Kipsala island, which is 3,6 km long. Old City is in the opposite shore of Daugava River, lover right corner of land there.
This map shows the future vision, not the present situation.
Red line encloses the potential business district. Inside this line the building projects should be subject to international tendering with possibility of open public discussion.
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis8/14607110525.jpg
Transportation scheme. Currently exist three bridges at the lover part of picture. The blue bridge currently is used for transportation, but would be turned into pedestrian bridge. Tunnel at the upper part of the picture had to be under construction already since the beginning of 2004... but the the company which lost the tender, has sued Riga City in court, and this process is on-going for several years already and nothing is happening :( Unfortunately Riga city officials initially had little experience with these huge international tenders...
The red tunnel (second from the upper part) is currently in early planning stage. Southern bridge, which would be started this year, is not visible in this map.
Light blue line shows the proposed new tramline. Btw. Riga this year will start tests of the new tram, produced in Latvia. Unfortunately the design of this tram seems to be industrial secret yet under codename RVR-2002. It is only known that the existing tramlines should be rebuilt to fit this tram, and this year one line would be rebuilt. Until 2008 there should be 63 of these new trams running in Riga. Hope, they would do it in reality.
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis8/14607810525.jpg
This is the most attractive part of this project: it is planned to unite the two historical parks with a kind of "air gardens". The dark green areas are older historical parks, the light green - grasslands and flowerbeds with lowfloor buildings, but the green with bright-green around - the rised gardens above the transportation routes.
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis8/14607910525.jpg
Here you see it in spatial projection:
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis8/14597410525.jpg
This is analyse of future skyline (visual impact of highrises - what they will hide etc.) for this part of city from different viewpoints.
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis8/14607210525.jpg
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis8/14607310525.jpg
This is structural anaylse of the planned skyline. Middle view - view from southern part of Old City over Daugava. Lover part - view from passenger ferry terminal. Saules akmens is well seen in lover view - the separate building standng nearest to Vantis suspension bridge.
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis8/14607610525.jpg
View from middle part of Old City over Daugava river:
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis8/14607510525.jpg
View from something like St.Peters church view platform:
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis8/14607410525.jpg
Two other views from above:
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis8/14607710525.jpg
Hope, you like it. And I hope - it would be realised at least per 20% :)

That is truly impressive :okay:, in fact this seems to be very similar to Vilnius Right Bank development, even the height of projected skyline is quite similar. Saules Akmens looks pretty small comparing with other possible buildings.

Wow, Gatis! That's an enormous amount of information to absorb! :eek: Thank you for giving us the latest news, though! :)

What upsets me is that arvis.lv seems to have been given some power and control over the development of that quarter. :( A quick glance at their web site shows almost nothing but boring, roofless, characterless glass & steel boxes! :rant: That's a shame, and the selection of this company, I'm afraid, bodes ill for the future of Riga's Kipsala district that has so much potential! :cry:

Too bad also about that tunnel! Instead of the work progressing, they're :bash:ing each other over it?

But :okay: on the new trams & the tram line! :)

Also good news: the parks & open green spaces! :banana:

Finally: eternal applause to Riga for the Vantis Bridge! :cheers1:

Whose Homepage - "Arhis" has been choosen as a company which collects together the results of the last year competitions and congresses about the development of Kipsala. Here is presented not their work but the work of hundreds of architects from different countries. "Arhis" does not have any specific power and control over this area, this was just a single, already completed contract for them to assist City Council in the planning work. Btw. currently in Riga City Council is presented this work and any citizen can give his proposals to City Council.
Regarding the other works of Arhis (I hate those Flash intros in homepages) ... some are bad
Scandinavian Tobacco (but tobacco always is bad, isn't it?)
http://www.arhis.lv/data/projects/sabiedriskas/house%20of%20prince/bilde2.550.260.jpg
http://www.arhis.lv/data/projects/sabiedriskas/house%20of%20prince/bilde4%20600.220.jpg

And some I like:
Riga airport passenger terminal:
http://www.arhis.lv/data/projects/sabiedriskas/05_lido/bilde5-1-500.jpg
http://www.arhis.lv/data/projects/sabiedriskas/01_lidosta/bilde1.jpg

Bridge news

Northern tunel:
The winner for design and technical supervision is German company Obermayer. The expected costs - 230 mio EUR. Dutch company, which had cheaper bid but did not comply with some vaguely defined tender rules, has sued Riga City, and thus the detailed design works have not started.
Anyway this year it is expected that should start design of access roads to the Northern tunel. If the court case will end in June this year, design works for the tunel itself would start also this year.
Southern bridge - full costs are above 200 mio EUR. Initially it was planned to build it after the Northern tunel, but the court case has changed the plans of Riga City. A week ago there was concluded agreement about the building of this bridge, in May would start preparations and the first concrete would be laid in August this year. In this tender won an consortium of Latvian companies, and happily no one has been sued so far.
Access roads for the Southern bridge would be very complex. In eastern bank there would be needed long estacades and three level crossings, in western bank - quite long estacades.
In 2005. there should be ready fundament of the bridge.
Bridge itself should be ready in 2007, but the access roads - until 2012.
Length of the bridge itself - 803 meters, width - 32 m. 6 lines for cars, 2 lines for bycycles and 2 - for pedestrians. The colour would not be orange as in this picture!
http://www.arhitektonika.lv/www_ARHITEKTONIKA/pix/tilts_2.jpg

These plans rock!! If this skyline gets built according to plan, it will awesome! New tramline and pedestrian bridge is good news :)

But about those northernmost buildings, arent they(and the street-pattern) somewhat repetetive and boring? Well, it's just conseptual scetches, so I imagine the final projects will look different:)

http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis8/14607410525.jpg :okay:

If the final thing is going to look anything like this, it will definetely be the most aesthetically pleasing skylines in our region. Right now the layout of high-rises in Talinn and Vilnius is somewhat "chaotic", though I suppose this isn't a very fair comparison, because both cities are still developing their clusters, while these visionary renders of Kipsala show the final product.

http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis8/14607410525.jpg :okay:

If the final thing is going to look anything like this, it will definetely be the most aesthetically pleasing skylines in our region. Right now the layout of high-rises in Talinn and Vilnius is somewhat "chaotic", though I suppose this isn't a very fair comparison, because both cities are still developing their clusters, while these visionary renders of Kipsala show the final product.
Nice visions indeed :yes:

We will soon get some info and LOTS of rendering and videos from development department on development of NCC :D

Whose Homepage - "Arhis" has been choosen as a company which collects together the results of the last year competitions and congresses about the development of Kipsala. Here is presented not their work but the work of hundreds of architects from different countries. "Arhis" does not have any specific power and control over this area, this was just a single, already completed contract for them to assist City Council in the planning work. Btw. currently in Riga City Council is presented this work and any citizen can give his proposals to City Council.

Ah, thanks, Gatis--I misunderstood you a bit. :dunno: Yet I think my point is still valid: Arhis, judging from their oeuvre, is a company that favors boxes. So in their transmission & presentation of the hundreds of proposals I suspect they would secretly favor box designs. ;)

wow! this thread is like THE MOST intresting in the whole S&B forum! big thanks for sharing your information with us ;)

Well I'm amazed. I rememebr crazyking going on about this, nearly two years ago, but I'd never dreamt it could turn out like this. The decision to create a carefully planned skyscraper district will pay dividends, I'm sure. Sorry for being lazy and not reading all the tect for the thread, but could someone tell me if this is all mied use, or primarily office space?

xapbpoh - this highrise district is planned to be of mixed use. The Kipsala district would be planned in a such way as to make it lively throughout the day.
Whose Homepage - "Arhis" loves boxes definitely. I think, they are good example of this crazy obsession of many our architects with the minimalism architecture. I hope that sooner or later there would come up a group of architects who would find interest in bionic architecture or something else to make our modern architecture more diverse. OK, "Saules akmens" already is something like progress - it is funny to read the critics of those die-hard boxmasters, who are laughing at the shape of "Saules akmens".
The most interesting SBA tower in Vilnius may change some minds also here, I hope. It is very good also for us that our neighbours Lithuanians build it.
In total - I definitely do not think that "Arhis" would have some power over Kipsala future development. Even if they have made a model with a lot of small boxes of different sizes - in reality each building would be designed by a different company and also the development of the whole district would see many changes until it is finally approved.

But today I would tell you about:

UNESCO World Heritage monument - Riga centre detailed development plan is elaborated, public discussion started
The Historic Centre of Riga (see UNESCO Webpage (http://whc.unesco.org/sites/852.htm)) has been enlisted as World Heritage site since 1997.
http://www.rvc.lv/images/upload/RVC_kopuma.jpg
It occupies only 1,43% of total area of city - 438,3 ha. It has also buffering zone with numerous valuable monuments of architecture - 1574,2 ha.
In this picture you see those 438 ha - UNESCO World Heritage site.
http://www.rvc.lv/images/upload/rvc24b_labots_500.PNG
Until now this area is also the business, government, entertainment and to great extent - living zone. And it is experiencing enormous pressure from the developers. (We hope that Kipsala development plans would take away this pressure to great extent) Until now there has not been elaborated exact legislation - what is aloud and what is not - for each separate house, each quartal, whole area. When developer is coming for building permit at State Heritage Inspection and Riga City Architecture Board, the authorities have tough job - to evaluate what could be done and what not. Some times it ends with simple "I do not like your idea", some other times it has ended with loud bribery cases - if the house costs 25 mio EUR and the only "problem" is civil servant, who does not allow you to place your belowed plastic windows in that Art Nouveau house, you just try to bribe him with some 10 000 EUR or even up to 200 000 EUR. All this ended with moratorium on new buildings and most reconstruction activities in April 2002.
Up to now there has been elaborated rather chaotic and weak legislation to protect our architectonic values. But now it will change.
Since April 2002 there is working specific unit of Riga City Council (their Webpage (http://www.rvc.lv/) - only in Latvian). Now they have prepared extremely detailed development plan for those 438,3 ha. There has been assessed nearly every room in every house, every tree, calculated transportation flows in each street, made hundreds of bigger and smaller opinion polls, numerous public campaigns. And now there is prepared huge pack of documents outlining everything - building rules for each house and for whole area, exact places for planting new trees etc. Many thousands of pages.
Since yesterday in Riga City Council everyone can look at this draft plan and comment on it.
http://www.realty.lv/lat/img/news/82542706042004093807.jpg
I had only 30 min time yesterday, and just took photos of some plans - these photos are at home now.
Plan envisages also removal and replacing of some 75 buildings from the historical centre - these are built in Soviet time and in "new" times. In addition to the existing 5 underground car parking places there are outlined huge parking places under many streets. Developers have managed to promote also numerous open spaces and there is also quite a lot of place for modern lowrise architecture. There have been prepared also exact rules regarding the materials to be used for building, door handles, flagstaffs, door codes, materials used for street cover, etc. etc. Daugava river coastline will change very much - the traffic here would be closed and there would be organised huge open, green area.
http://www.lunaparks.com/regate_jura/Images/Previews/Preview9.jpg
Please look at some rather old 360degree panoramas here (http://www.incomworld.com/ablatvia.htm)
We hope that this plan would be accepted in July this year and the moratorium on building activities in historical centre will end then.
And here you see how Daugava coastline was used for some public gatherings in 1991.
http://www.lunaparks.com/tautavalsts/Images/Previews/Preview85.jpg
OK, I know that this might be a little boring, but it is extremely important here.

It's great to see that the plans of Vilnius makes a big influence not only to the other cities inside Lithuania but also - to the cities outside Lithuania. Actually it's very clever to learn something from the other cities and use that information to create something even better. I really like all those projects in Riga and I hope that they'll be realised :okay:.

Yeah, Riga finally made it, now it must turn to building :okay:

It's great to see that the plans of Vilnius makes a big influence not only to the other cities inside Lithuania but also - to the cities outside Lithuania.
It is hard to say whether plans of Vilnius have affected planning in Riga much. If yes - then not in significant amount. At least here nobody talks much about Vilnius (I have asked some spatial planners), except for some things, and these are the following: a) Private-Public Partnership model for conservation and development of Vilnius Old City - this really is learnt from Vilnius and in Riga there is under development test model of this approach in preservation programme of wooden heritage in Kalnciema Street, b) good marketing of city development - f.e. in recent exhibition in Cannes Riga was bleak and boring next to Vilnius although the real development plans seem to be of similar scale. This weak presentation of Riga was a local scandal in our mass-media.
Unfortunately nobody speaks in Riga about the SBA building in Vilnius yet. If you ask my opinion - this highrise may be worth more than the other skyscrapers of Vilnius together ;) Worth more in sense of positive impact on thinking of architects, cityplanners and developers. I personally think that the size of the building in meters... well, it is interesting. But much more important is qualitative leap into something new... and ability to multiply and increase this new experience.
Back to Riga news:

Company "Voldemars" says being serious about building Smilsu pulkstenis
In recent interview to most popular Riga City newspaper "Rīgas Balss" executive director of company "Voldemars" Ltd. Mr. Dmitrij Nikitin says: in this year (2004) not far from the new business centre "Valdo" there would be started construction of the next office building - "Smilsu pulkstenis", which would be more than 30-floors high. This would be A-class office space building, most of the premises would be used by a unnamed bank.

If you ask my opinion, then please:
- this does not sound serious yet to me. Why he does not name the exact No. of floors?
- the preliminary design of the building is weird (I can not find the picture, but - it is like huge hourglass). This part of Riga is not that valuable in sense of architecturally beautiful buildings... but 30floors high weirdo leaves huuuge impact to wide area.
- why the hell city allows to spread the highrises around Riga like loose teeth? Why not in cluster?

Lets see what will happen. This is rather far from the center and there is no detailed plan for this part of city ready - may be this is the reason why this might go through...

Meanwhile you may look at the completed 9-floor A-class office building "Valdo" - nothing that interesting though. Although looks fine in evenings, when lights are on inside the building:
http://www.valdo.lv/gallery/photos/gal_155.JPG
http://www.valdo.lv/gallery/photos/gal_152.JPG
http://www.valdo.lv/gallery/photos/gal_158.JPG
http://www.valdo.lv/gallery/photos/gal_162.JPG

Wow those are some cool reflections :cool: I especially like the last pic with the building in the middle of autumn trees :eek:

Valdo looks shagadellic enough to my eyes!

Interesting building, I kinda like it :)

btw, wasn't it built by some Lithuanian company or smth?

O my, Gatis! Once again you have have showered us with an enormous amount of information about planning and building in Riga. :okay:

I guess it's a good thing that such detailed guidelines for the Historic District were developed--amazing! :eek: I hope that these rules will be enforced. On the other hand, I'm also worried that such tight restrictions might scare people off, so that the desired and necessary restoration work may happen veryy slowly. :(

And that hourglass building ... you're right, it looked highly unusual when CrazyKing first showed it to us long ago. :eek: Your account makes the Voldemars project appear very vague indeed.

Of course I agree with you that Riga should designate an area for highrises rather than permit them to pop up here and there "like loose teeth!" :laugh:

Finally: Valdo may be neither tall nor a particular beauty, but the reflection effects are magnificent! :banana:

glassy :)~ :cool:

"Valdo" was built by Lithuanian construction company or belongs to some Lithuanian company. I don't really remember but there was an article about it in Lithuanian newspaper.

"Smilsu pulkstenis" is a great building - at least it has interesting shape. Maybe it's not that bad that it'll be built in a distance from other high-rises. Maybe Riga will have few clusters in the future? E.g. there will be about four clusters of high-rises in Vilnius: Bussiness triangle, NCC, the area around Press House and the area around Hanner building. I don't think that it's bad. Different areas of the cities has to be developed - I don't really like the idea of the city where only one place is developed. Ofcourse it'll be not very good if "Smilsu pulkstenis" will be lonely.

Company "Voldemars" has been established in 1992 in Riga. They established food products line "Valdo" and since 2002 are active also in immobilities area. They have decided to be the developers of area around the newly built Southern Bridge - Smilsu pulkstens would be close to this bridge.
In 1999 "Voldemars" established daughter company in Lithuania - "Valdo Prekyba" and a lot of their turnover really is done in Lithuania. But I can not find who built "Valdo" business centre...

Valdo seemed a nice building to me.

But that Hourglass project. Firstly, when I the rendering, really liked it. But now I think, that it is going to look like a chimney of nuclear plant, especially from distance. Hopely, they will do something about it ;)

I don't think that "Smilsu pulkstenis" will look like a chimney :). As far as I remember it looks exactly like a sandclock and I like it - I think it's mutch better than some usual box.

@Gatis: Then maybe Lithuanian company built it or maybe "Voldemars" belongs to Lithuanians - I don't remember exactly and it's not really imoprtant.

"Parkhaus" Ltd. has prepared building site and the construction of two 22-floor apartment houses in Imanta will start in coming weeks
OK, I have been talking about these before, but now things become more clear.
http://www.realty.lv/rus/img/news/18111513042004090034.jpg
In October 2005 in Anninmuizas blvd. there should be ready two such 22-floor living apartments, built by developers "Parkhaus".
The costs - at least 10 mio EUR for both - thus it is nothing that high-end.
What is Imanta? - This is commieblock district in Pardaugava, western part of Riga, some 4 km from the center. It definitely is not nice, although some commieblocks have been rebuilt, new supermarkets etc. have been built as well. But this district has got nice public transportation, including tram line.
What is "Parkhaus" - it is joint Russian - Latvian investment company, established in March 2003. The design of the house has been elaborated by architects bureau "Silis, Zabers & Klava".
After these two houses there definitely would be built some more of the same design, at least two. Company has purchased 10 ha of land, which is enough for building even 18 such houses, but they would look what is the market situation later. They also would investigate other districts of Riga for developing similar projects.
Next to their land in May would start building of 5 17-floor apartments.

Great news :okay: The buiding design is quite ok :yes:

nice!

http://www.realty.lv/rus/img/news/78992826042004090431.jpg
Building of five 17-floor apartment houses in Anninmuizas Blvd. starts

Nothing that impressive but though... As last week there started construction works of two Parkhaus 22-floor apartment houses, this week there wqas started construction of the first of five 17-floor apartment houses on the other side of the street. Investor - VestaBalt, local company.
The first highrise would be ready in June 2005. These 17-floor houses would be of somewhat lover rate than the rather high-end apartments of Parkhaus. But investors promise that both the project and also the quality would be considerably better that the design of neighbouring Soviet time 17-floor buildings, which are not that bad either.
In a year Riga will have the second highrise district. And here I can assure you - no damage to the landscape would be done - just a commieblock district.

"New Old City" waiting for approval of development plan of Riga Historical Centre

Eastern part of Riga Old City now looks very bad... Many ancient houses are collapsing and there are also numerous empty spaces - scars of bombing.
Since year 2000 several companies (local company) are purchasing here land and elaborating design for the "New Old City", which would include 14 buildings.
Recently all the land was purchased from the other companies by a local company "Citra". The moratorium on construction in Riga historical center still does not allow to elaborate design but it gives also time to understand the best way to develop the project.
It is planned to invest in the "New Old City" more than 40 mio EUR.
In general the upper floors of the buildings would be apartments, ground floors - shops, second floor - offices. One of the buildings - hotel.
Time schedule will depend on final results of Riga Historical Center Development plan.

"Parkhaus" ... what do they mean by that anyway? :?

To me there is a sort of double entendre. ;) It could either mean Park as in a beautiful landscaped area, both small or large :okay:, OR it could mean a multi-story parking garage building :down: The first concept of "Parkhaus" is inspiring while the second one is depressing.

And they're going to dump FIVE of those improved commieblock type apartment buildings onto Anninmuizas Boulevard? Hhmmmm ...

Btw, this naming of buildings is very interesting. :) Farther to the west, for instance in Austria, the Netherlands & Germany, buildings tend to have English names like Millenium Tower and the like. In Riga the new Parkhaus project bears a German name ... long live internationalism! :okay:

Why the name is Parkhaus? Do not know... It is just a name of company, not houses. Some (quite many) businessman here think that their business sounds more serious if it has got some foreign name. Stupid...
I am not better myself. "New Old City" further on could be called here - "Jauna vecpilseta" (Jaunā vecpilsēta) - thats how it is called in reality.
And the five commieblocks - comparing to the other commieblocks there, in Anninmuizas Blvd. the new ones will look like jevels. The picture does not show it - but in reality they would be made of red brick. Like these, who stand on Anninmuizas Blvd. already:
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis8/1034288012.jpg

Ha, Gatis! Yes, it's strange: people do seem to go for foreign-sounding things, don't they. ;)

And I'm practically elated to hear that the medium for these new buildings is going to be the traditional red bricks! :okay:

In Lucavsala proposed buildings up to 26 floors high
"Sala" in Latvian - "island". You have heard something about highrises in Kipsala. But today investment company "Merks" has announced its plans to develop highrise district on another island - Lucavsala.
This island in Daugava River is bigger than Kipsala. Here you see it in lover right part of map (blue arrows do not mean anything)
- Lucavsala is a bit rounded, coloured in blue-green colour. The long island next to it - Zakusala - has got 22floor TV centre and 368 m high TV tower on it.
http://www.lame.lv/riga_map.gif
I like this picture ;) In background - Lucavsala.
http://www.laivas.lv/lv/pasakumi/lucav2002galerija/pic/Peldetaji2.jpg
It is crossed by Salu tilts - 3,5 km long 6-lane bridge, currently looking quite bad and always with traffic jam.
http://www.latvijas-tilti.lv/images/foto5.jpg
"Merks" has purchased major part of Lucavsala. The plans are the following - to develop a park between Salu tilts and the first 9-floor office towers - with apartments on upper floor. Behind these offices will start higher buildings - 4 round towers, the highest of them - 26 floors. Among these buildings would be located several public buildings including exhibition hall, shops, kindergarden. It is planned to use much glass, light colours. 26-floor tower would have cafe and club in upper floor. Middle part of Lucavsala would be developed as a living zone with numerous smaller houses.
Currently Lucavsala is covered with meadows and small, ugly gardens, some nice private houses. There are no public buildings, and the only other values it has got - small park with two noble trees (on lindentree has got 6,5 m in circumference and is really beautiful) and nice Art Nouveau monument for Russian soldiers fallen here in 1812, but erected in 1912 - under these trees. I am sure that this park and monument would be intact, as it is protected.
_
Riga City Council is sceptical and critical about these plans. There is no detailed development plan for Lucavsala elaborated, but the initial plans envisaged to develop here wide green area. City Council is afraid that each company owning its land wants to build its own city without a holistic view on whole Riga City.
Several architects questioned said that they are not that much concerned about the height of the buildings but about the prinicples of selecting the architectural solution.
My own opinion - city should not hurry with this. Lucavsala is very interesting area near to centrum where it is still possible to develop anything. This could be highrises as well - but these should be damn good looking highrises, of course. Current vision provided by "Merks" still is a vision of separate company willing to invest into something profitable. Seems, Riga city was too slow - they had to be the first to provide their vision, before commercial companies do it.

"Centra terminals" ready to invest in Riga bus terminal 50 mio EUR

For some time Riga City is looking for investors in Riga city bus terminal. Current bus terminal is ready to cover part of the expenses, but still can not afford whole costs as it is extremely complex project - already now part of bus station is located over water, and the traffic and logistics are located in several levels.
It is not in bad condition - bus station has been just reconstructed. But there is not enough place and bad access roads, as well some unused business opportunities. Thus the city wants to have something better here.
http://www.autoosta.lv/en/index_en.htm - their homepage.
Here you see map of that location - bus tour company "Eurolines" has got their office there too. As you see there is railway next to bus station, Old City across the railway and 13janvara Street, Central Market neighbouring to the south-east, railway station - neighbouring to the north-east.
http://www.eurolines.lv/pietur222/riga/autoosta.gif
First investment proposal some days ago came from joint Latvian - Finnish company "Centra terminals". They propose to built one underground floor like car parking, ground floor and first floor - bus stations for 50 buses, upper three floors - shops, sports centres, hotel etc. There is supposed to built several pedestrian tunnels to Old City, railway station. Riga City Council is a bit sceptical about the plan of "Centra terminals" to build a building on Old Riga side of railway, the access roads should be a bit better planned too.

That's interesting news from Riga, I'd like to see some rendering of that 26 storey Lucavsala tower to judge the design (is it prepared already?). And I think it's a real good place for highrises - good distance from the old-town and still close enough to the city center and that wide Krasta Avenue with all kinds of business enterprises. I've been in the place near Salu Bridge and Krasta Avenue intersection and honestly it wasn't the nicest place in Riga ;) so developments like this could make a positive effect to the general appearance of the area.

There was another company that planned a 22 storey (dunno exactly) hotel on Lucavsala, I read that a few months ago... :D

Another bad part of Old City to be rebuilt in 2004 - 2005, glass covered street planned
Not long ago I wrote about the plans of company Citra to rebuild part of Old Rigas, which looks bad. We are still waiting for the design of their intents.
But immobilities company Linstow already for some years is preparing rebuilding project for another quartal in Old City of Riga.
Linstow owns supermarket "Centrs" next to the quartal to be rebuilt.
Here you see the rendered proposal - looking from St. Peters church, 74 m height.
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis7/1893645123.jpg
The proposed new "Galereja Centrs" - the black-yellow building in the middle, behind the red St. George (Sv. Jura) church. The green roof behind it - existing supermarket "Centrs".
Currently this quartal really is one of the worst in Old Riga - here are located bad looking Soviet time buildings from 1960ies - believe me - without any architectural value.
It is planned also to cover with glass the street between both Linstow properties - Ridzene Street. This street will have climate control, would be open for whole day and night.
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis7/1893655123.jpg
Total costs - 22 mio EUR. Area - 30 000 m2. 5 floors. Use: cafe, restaurants, trade, sports centres, culture (as always). It is planned also to reconstruct some medieval buildings in these quartals, which are near to collapse now.
It is planned to start the construction in Nov-Dec 2004, to complete in one year.

Well, thanks for the great update :okay:

Finally one miserably small picture of planned highrise in Lucavsala. Developes - Merks, architect "Postform projects Riga". Seems that the architects do not have Webpage :(
The dominating road - Salu bridge.
http://www.bb.lv/att/1/2703/29558.jpg

I like this way of thinking. It looks that Riga have great ideas how to rebuild their old city in modern architecture. What a shame that in my city some people couldn’t understand that. They should to see that project.
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis7/1893645123.jpg

Riga is indeed amazing city :) :cheers:

@Gatis - thanx, that building looks cool! Though maybe slightly too big for the old town (or maybe not, will see when it gets built!) What buildings were originally in that place before the commies? I would prefer that everything nice that stood before the war gets rebuild!

One thing that I cannot quite understand - where exactly in the Old Town that thing will be located? It seems like the Opera building is close. Is it behind that (pretty ugly, sorry..) modern two-floor steel construction next to the Riga universal store? A bit confused!

Jeffas, "Galerija Centrs" is behind that ugly building. You see that ugly joke in picture, right side.
Before Soviet time there were standing medieval buildings. But somehow after rebuilding of Melngalvju nams and City Council the dominant opinion is - rebuilding of old buildings is not a good style anymore.
The proposal of "Galerija Centrs" btw envisages reconstruction of several medieval and 19th century buildings too - they stand in the left side of the picture.
"Galerija Centrs" is designed by architect whom I know personally - we together acted earlier in Environmental Protection Club when protecting Old Town from too modern architecture. Still you see that he himself is modernist in his heart :)
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"Galerija Centrs" was approved after very very hot and long debates in Riga Historical Centre commission (and there were many hot debates for years before it). Btw. Estonian representative in this commission was very much against this project - mainly due to the glass covered street. I respect his position ver much... But that's how it is - any bigger project requires compromises...

Kipsala highrise plans supported by Riga citizens
Riga City Council asked the citizens to express their opinion about the plans to turn part of Kipsala in higrise district with the buildings with up to 40 floors, rised gardens, tunnels.
There have been received 151 written comments. In 140 comments this idea in general is supported. Main objections (included also in positive answers) -
- traffic should be planned very well to decrease the current traffic jams.
The current owners of the land and the entrepeneurs active here now are worried about the expected changes - they most likely would be forced to move the industrial production elsewhere. (There are some old factories, which are slowly renovated)
Next step - Riga City Development Department prepares the first revised detailed design of Kipsala development and it would be discussed once again.
Slow? May be... I hope that at least this would be something qualitative.

Jeffas, "Galerija Centrs" is behind that ugly building. You see that ugly joke in picture, right side.
Before Soviet time there were standing medieval buildings. But somehow after rebuilding of Melngalvju nams and City Council the dominant opinion is - rebuilding of old buildings is not a good style anymore.
The proposal of "Galerija Centrs" btw envisages reconstruction of several medieval and 19th century buildings too - they stand in the left side of the picture.
"Galerija Centrs" is designed by architect whom I know personally - we together acted earlier in Environmental Protection Club when protecting Old Town from too modern architecture. Still you see that he himself is modernist in his heart :)
__
"Galerija Centrs" was approved after very very hot and long debates in Riga Historical Centre commission (and there were many hot debates for years before it). Btw. Estonian representative in this commission was very much against this project - mainly due to the glass covered street. I respect his position ver much... But that's how it is - any bigger project requires compromises...

@ Gatis - I really like your professional insights into Riga development! I wonder how come the opinions in the City Council towards rebuilding of old buildings changed? Melngalvu nams seems to have been quite a success in that respect! Maybe this is because of that troublesome project of rebuilding the City Hall (meaning the financial side of it!), but still architecturally it is a rather successful solution, isn't it? I am a bit less positive about that modern building with Nijole fur saloon between Melngalvu nams and the Ciy Hall.... But what about public/political opinion? It would be very interesting to know!

To me that Galerija Centrs is slightly too massive for the Old Town area though you already have many massive buildings there like Riga universal store, Hotel Latvia etc... So maybe it only adds to the "metropolitan" flavour of the city! Not sure yet! No plans to demolish that steel two-floor "whatever"? This is what public should be more opposed to than rebuilding the medieval silhouet of the old city, imo! :)

Jeffas, it is the public not City Council, which is opposed against the rebuilding of old buildings.
It was around 1999 when several architects and some more intelligence people created the term (no, it exists for long time, but the rised it again) - "architecture of the government". This is applied to expensive, ornamented (or very high what is another analogue of prestige) and still low class architecture. Public started to believe the rebuilding of ancient architecture is loss of money and looking backwards... and that these buildings are simply... ugly.
This is very controversial issue. If one agency makes here opinion poll then public says: "We want only modern architecture, no more Disneyland". Riga Historical Centre group made another opinion poll which shows that the most belowed building in Old City is... Melngalvju nams and the worst - that ugly joke.
City Hall by the ruling clicque of architects has been labeled as "very bad, low class architecture" and now anyone is ashamed to say something good about it. Some politicians have "burned" on these buildings and now nobody wants to repeat rebuilding somewhere else. Initial plans were to rebuild whole quartal like it was before 1940ies - but now nobody has nuts to do it or aloow it - that would be political suicide. My comments in Internet that rebuilding as such could be good and Melngalvju nams is cool are met with very fierce aggression.
_
I think that architecture in Latvia is in very deep and prolonged identity crisis. Rebuilding is bad... postmodern is bad... minimalism is bad (mostly it is bad!!!)... architecture of Saules akmens according to majority of architects is cheap and terribly bad "following to quick-rich Arab scheichs architecture"... and so on and so on...
Or may be it is just part of Latvian identity - to fight with anything we create ourselves and then give it away to somebody else from abroad (like the huge battle against local supermarkets in middle 1990ies?) I personally am fed up with this attitude.

Gatis, it is really amazing how the pubic opinion and political moods work! Starting with my pesonal position - I would like to rebuild everything that is in general possible to rebuild, probably with modern interiors, because it will never be a Disneyland in Riga or Vilnius or whereever, if these buildings stood there, they were part of local culture and cityscape! (of course, there can be examples not worth rebuilding, but they are more an exception than a rule!) Unless the later urban development specifically planned some other urban spaces that would make little sense to destroy and the old buildings would be "out of touch" (e.g. the square around Riga Dom or Vokieciu street in Vilnius)

As for the Riga City Council, I have not been inside, but from the outside it looks perfectly fine - much much better than these Stalinist buildings before! And that's the former heart of the city that you definetely need to restore (it looks so beautiful in the old photos, something like Brussels Grotte Markt!) and raus with that communist "black box" museum of Occupation.. ;)

Well, I've been inside Melngalvju house (had a diplomatic banquet, hehe!) and this rebuilt rococco looks a bit pretentious nowadays, but I still think we need more time to reappreciate something that got rebuilt so recently...

Your examples show how important for the public and political opinion (would not draw such a clear line between the two!) and later policies are the FIRST projects that get realised and the general opinions about them - are they considered success of a failure. And often the first examples are better than the ones that follow!.. For example, the first Vilnius "skyscraper" the green Hanner was generally considered a success (almost heard no negative opinions about it!) what "emotionally" opened doors to the skyscraper clusters like "Europa". I wonder what the reaction will follow to the rebuilt Ruler's Palace (the first major object in Vilnius to be rebuilt!) - will it stop the rebuilding of other Old Town places (e.g. former Jewish quarters) or give them an extra push? I think more of the first scenario - it will hide the Gediminas castle from many traditional view points that people already got used to for decades!.. Can be quite a shock to the public no matter how beautiful the facade of the palace will be ;)

It is a pity that such nihilist moods prevail in Riga Council, but most of our countries face certain prematurity syndroms... however, with such an approach Vilnius would not have its Oldtown built by/copied from Italians, while Riga would be impoverished without its Flemmish Rennaissance or rather Viennese Art Nouveau!.. Let's just be Europeans :grouphug:

P.S. "We all do a lot of feeling and mistake it for thinking"/ Mark Twain

Hotel Reval Latvia and Ministry of Agriculture will have decreased height in future
The development plan of Riga City Historical centre envisages the following:
Hotel Reval Latvia (95m and 27 floors, 1976) and Ministry of Agriculture (92 m, 26 floors, 1976) are too close to the historical centre.
Here you see both of them - Ministry of Agriculture is nearer. In fact Ministry of Agriculture is INSIDE the Old Town.
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis8/1037808012.jpg
They can be used until 2025 and then there should be elaborated rebuilding design to decrease their height until the height allowed in these parts of city, architecture should be approved by the Commission of Riga Historical Centre. The same fate would refer to all the other modern buildings inside the historical centre, including the brand new "Stockman" and "Forum Cinemas"

Eastern Magistral to be built until 2012
It was started in 1963... and would be completed not earlier than in 2012. Eastern Magistral would be an mostly elevated speedway for traffic going into the eastern part of Riga harbour.
http://www.realty.lv/rus/img/news/57699217052004092617.jpg
Some parts of it have been built, including several elevated bridges over the streets and railway. The costs to complete it - 120 mio EUR.
Although the technical design tryed to avoid it as far as possible, there would be needed to remove some 40 - 50 houses, a lot of other infrastructure elements should be rebuilt.
This should be the first speedway way to be built in Riga in nearest future, although it is planned to develop a whole system of them, includung several new bridges and tunnels.

Historical caffe proposed to be rebuilt on Bastejkalns, Riga Boulevards
Bastejkalns is artificial hill, created in 19th century from the earth of the former city fortifications. Now it is located in the middle of everything what is the nicest in Riga - between the Old City, Centre and in middle of Boulevards.
In 1887 there was fine two floor caffe built on top, in Ecclecticism style. It was destroyed in World War II.
Nowadays the top of this hill is overgrown with huge, nice trees and it is not possible to see much from it.
Here you see the basement of that hill (picture taken before the restoration of the park in 2000):
http://www.ailab.lv/Riga/R01/b47.jpg
The proposal is to make not exact copy of the building :( but somtehing similar.
Riga City Council and Historical Centre commission should decide now... lets see

@Gatis - always great to hear your news!

As for the decreased height of Hotel Latvia and Ministry of Agriculture, hmmmm..... Maybe not too bad an idea (esp. regarding the ministry!), but how, my God, are they going to do it???? :wallbash: Just to cut the building in half??? :bash: So better say - you should demolish it and build something new instead - sounds like a great investment climate for the Reval hotel!! :) :) :runaway:

As for teh Bastejakalns cafe, maybe it is a good idea because I alwways get an impression that this kalns is a bit desolate area in the middle of the city that is not used up to its potential. Having a park is nice, but it is not really a very public space (I would not risk walking there at night!) I remember watching an album with old photos of Riga and that cafe, if rebuilt in authentic style, would look very nice!! Riga should keep its retro style where possible!

Parts of Latgale suburb to be reconstructed and turned into tourism attraction
You might remember my sad descriptions of Latgale suburb in this thread and the planning exercises this spring.
Now the first real plans start to appear.
It is planned to reconstruct the buildings on Murnieki Street, reconstruct the street, infrastructure, including such elements as streelamps etc. Finally it should look like this:
http://maskfor.lv/atteli/ielas/kalna_450.jpg
This year will take place the reconstruction of street itself, 0,4 mio EUR.
In coming years there would be elaborated designs to reconstruct several areas nearby, including the market square at Maza Kalna street - former and potential future centre of Maskavas suburb.
http://maskfor.lv/atteli/ielas/lubanas_450.jpg
Here would take place different open-air markets etc.
Some more smaller activities also planned in this year, like design of small ice hockey fields for local boys.
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OK, there are some more news, like building of 5 new sports centres around the city (this year will start the building), building of new postmodern quartal instead of this building ugly building in the historical centre,
http://vip.latnet.lv/lsp/images/nacionalas_sporta_bazes/rigas_sporta_pils.jpg
endless battle around ice hockey arena and some more, but I do not have more time today.

Jeffas, you know Riga well :) Thanks for answer
Btw. I started to collect the picturesof reconstructed Art Nouveau buildings, hope to come up woth this soon.

Excellent idea to recreate the wooden-house suburb for tourists! But the photos you posted are the old ones, isn't it? It is interesting what they are planning to make in these areas? Hotels, pubs etc. or some etnopgrahic arts, merchant houses as it is planned in the reconstructed/planned to be rebuilt rebuilt Vilnius Uzupis area on both sides of the banks of Vilnele river? In our case, they want to move these village festivals ("Kaziuko muge") to a more village-type of environment outside the old city walls, and I find it a great idea!

I don't know why, but these wooden house districts of Riga remind me of some turn-of-the-century areas of the United States! :) (what is nice) But maybe that's just my very personal impression!!!

These are the old photos. I could not find the present time pictures of these places.
Village style festivals in Riga take place in Open Air museum - look at their webpage:
Interactive map of the museum (http://www.virmus.com/museum/objekti/full_map.htm) That's a kind of Disneyland but very very interesting one. I am planning to go there and bring reportage to you about the ancient art of building here too.
Latgale suburb is meant more to represent the style of 19th century Riga suburb inhabited by Russians - mostly Russians there are today too. It is planned to locate there small shops, offices, repair shops etc. This thing is not simple because today most of it does not exist - as I have said this will be slow revival, evolution but not something what happens in one year.

i still don't understand...... what does it mean - they're going to decrease the height of the two towers? how will they do that? but it won't happen before 2025, right?

destroying the towers isn't the best idea as far as i'm concerned, in the future such commie-style ugly boxes are really hard to find and then they could be true landmarks or something.... even today i find the Ministry of Agriculture building quite attractive... (:

Jarmo... in fact I also have used to both of these buildings and think that they are part of panorama in Riga just as St. Peters church is. 21 years - thats long time and people always can change their decisions.
Although many do not like Ministry of Agriculture, I like it too from some viewpoints - especially across Daugava - it has genuine feel of 1970ies. Only the building is "worn out". I am afraid that in a case of rebuilding they will change it.

i wonder why they make plans for the year 2025.... funny... (:

Riga City purchases 118 new buses
The fleet of 465 city buses in Riga would be renewed significantly this year. Some of the old yellow "Ikarus" buses and some of the 8 years old "Mercedes-Benz" would be exchanged to 24 new "Mercedes Benz", 63 "Solaris" and 31 "Ikarus" midibuses, total costs - 25 mio EUR.
The number of passengers using the buses in Riga has increased largely. Although it was planned to replace all the old "Ikaruses" this year, still some will remain...
City bus enterprise "Rigas Satiksme" has been working in 2003 with profit for the first time over the last years. Price of the ticket - some 0,3 EUR.
Old Ikaruses look something like this. You do not see them much in Riga anymore, but still they are here:
http://www.ovg-son.de/images/flotte/ikarus_g.jpg
Older "Mercedes Benz" in newly opened repair shops
http://www.iauto.lv/images/news//jul2003/Dsc01023.jpg
"Solaris" bus on Vansu bridge
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis7/17530111451.jpg
New "Ikarus" midibus:
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis8/1034408012.jpg

Congrats to Riga! It seems all the Baltic major cities are buying new buses and changing the old ikaruses for the better!

Funny, how come Ikarus version XX.1 is as yellow as the old "commie" version?! :) :) Has that something to do with the flight of Ikarus to the yellow sun...... :)

What about plans to upgrade the tram park? The trams look a bit outdated in Riga already....

Those yellow Ikaruses are nightmare, I hate seeing them and I try to avoid using them... There are still many of them in Vilnius but they will be changed with new Volvo 7700 (90 buses in total), so I'm glad at last we'll get rid of that yellow bus heritage :)

Trams in Riga look outdated really. They invested some 8 years ago in major repairs for the existing Czech "Tatra" trams, so they still are running today and are considered to be in a good condition - but inside they are not pleasant anymore, definitely. Here you see two kinds of trams in Riga in use today.
T3a
http://tramvajs.times.lv/tipi/t3a.jpg
T3M
http://tramvajs.times.lv/tipi/t3m.jpg
There is running also restored tram, built in Riga in 1901:
http://tramvajs.times.lv/tipi/retro.jpg
In fact you see also that many Western cities may have some 5 modern trams which are shown in pictures, but the main part of tram fleet looks as of made some 20 years ago - although inside they are much better than the ones in Riga. These things are running for longer time than buses or trolleybuses.
For trams in Riga there ir planned very elegant solution. We have factory "RVR" - Rīgas vagonu rūpnīca (Riga carriage factory) which has great history - established in 1895. , since 1970ies it produces also the high speed trains, running above 200 km/h.
Here you see the speed trains ER-200, these are made in Riga in beginning of 1980ies. Real heavy and ugly Soviet engineering piece ;) now not in use anymore.
http://mercurio.iet.unipi.it/pix/ru/electric/emu/ER200/ru_er200-1-2_03.jpg
In last 5 years this factory has seen rebirth - they are getting good profits by building and rebuilding trains for Russia, Georgia, also Lithuania and some more countries.
Over the last 4 years they are elaborating a brand new tram. It has got nickname "RVR-2002", another nickname "Latvian "Bombardier"". They try to investigate all the trams of the world to produce the best possible one.
Last year there was concluded also tri-lateral agreement among Moscow, Riga and RVR about further elaboration of this tram, Moscow and Riga invest in this elaboration. Riga will be used as a "playground" to test these trams. This year tram line No.6. in Riga is rebuilt (works have been started) to fit this new tram. Its floor height would be less than 35 cm.
I have been searching for the pictures of this tram, but can not find it :( Only the delegations of Moscow and Riga have seen them and there are very good replies about its looks (may be it is industrial secret?). One reply (in Russian):
"руководитель службы пути трамвая города Москвы Степан Горячий -- назвал рижский трамвай третьего тысячелетия настоящим "Боингом", с той лишь разницей, что он перемещается не в воздухе, а по земле"
Webpage of the factory with text about new trams (in Russian) (http://www.rvr.lv/3.1.html)

New 16floor commieblock completed in Riga
In Dzelzavas Street 70, Plavnieki district of Riga City completed 16-floor commieblock. This one was built until 14th floor in 1993 and was standing for 11 years while a company took it, renovated and completed. Looks rather OK for a commieblock district. What do you think about its blue color? Costs - starting from 570 EUR/m2.
http://www.nams24.lv/images/jaunmajas/Dzelzavas70_2L.jpg
http://www.nams24.lv/images/jaunmajas/Dzelzavas70_3L.jpg

New highrise commieblocks going up
Your informer (that's me) last week drove by Anninmuizas boulevard to see what's happening there. And it is happening! :)
Parkhaus are busy building their first two 22-floorers (rendering)
http://www.nams24.lv/images/jaunmajas/Solaris_1L.jpg
Vestabalt have enclosed their building site of 5 17-floorers, technics are there (again rendering)
http://www.nams24.lv/images/jaunmajas/vestas_L.jpg
There is built a lot of commieblocks around Riga, but I do not like them much... That's why I do not mention them much. Some pictures:
Ziedu muiza, 13 floors
http://www.nams24.lv/images/jaunmajas/Ziedumuiza_8_L.jpg
Vidzemes nams, 11 floors (should be fine views to the Jugla lake)
http://www.nams24.lv/images/jaunmajas/vidzeme_5L.jpg
There is built also huge new commieblock district Dreilini. Hope, I would not need to live in them, I do not like general commieblocks.

Our post-soviet architects, raised in the commie-blocks, really had a distorted childhood..... Are they crazy to build these boxes and, esp. to paint them in "Byelorussian blue" as I call it! ;)

Wow, lots of things happening in Riga. Just hope for some better trams soon aswell! You are right about not all trams in western cities beeing new. Well, I can only speak for Oslo's behalf. Now, aprox. half of all trams here are new italian ones. They are nice and airconditioned and all, but getting them into service has been more difficult than it should. There were alot of errors on them initially, for example the wheels weren't round enough!! They are still noisy as hell. The other half of the tramstock is working well, built around late 70'ies/early 80'ies I guess.

Up until two years ago, there were still many what we called "svensketrikker"(Swedish trams) operating. They were bought by Göteborg in the 80'ies for 1 krone (0.12?) each!!!! They were so old that the swedes just wanted to get rid of them, and Oslo bought them as a temporary solution until the new trams (those explained about above) should come, but that temporary period lasted for 2 decades :weird: :crazy2: :clown: :lol: Norway in a nutshell! Maybe they should look to Latvia next time they buy trams :)

About the commieblock In Dzelzavas Street 70, I don't like colour to be honest. If they insisted on blue, it should have been darker, IMO.

it's great that Riga is improving its public transport. by the way, those old yellow ''Ikarus'' buses - i haven't seen them in Tallinn for a looooooong time! although they've still remained in smaller towns of the country. how about Latvia? Riga will have nice shiny buse but other towns?

p.s. - the light-blue color is quite awful in my opinion..... plus, it's a weird commieblock so i don't like this building at all... but Vidzemes nams project seems to be interesting, views to a lake.... hmmm... sounds great! (:

Today I went from my place to the downtown with an old crappy Ikarus! for the last time I believe, I'm changing it to a new Volvo :banana: :D

Wow, there's a buzz of activity in this thread! :rock:

Thank you, Gatis, for keeping it alive by feeding us with fresh news and pictures. :)

So commieblocks are still being built in Riga. I find that somewhat distressing, although the new ones of course are more attractive than the grey, boxy predecessor models. ;)

As to those Italian trams: San Francisco had the same problems with theirs that you report for Oslo, NorthStar. Complaints about noise and improper functioning abounded. That was a few years ago. People probably got used to the noise, and whatever difficulties there were with the cars running prooperly seem to have been resolved. :)

Our East Bay bus company just bought brand new buses that are pleasant to look at and offer a comfortable ride. Good interior layout. I'll ask Mortar & Pestle to post a pic. :)

The notion of Ikarus buses makes me smile. I can't understand how a company can be named by that figure of Greek mythology. After all, Ikarus failed in his "transportation" quest, right? :laugh:

Congrats, John ;)
Jarmo - in Riga the exchange of old yellow Ikaruses with new buses started in 1998. Before 1998 there were used also some "human assistance" - used busses from Denmark etc. but the city since then became financially stronger.
Other cities in Latvia have nice new buses too, for them it was much easier to exchange their fleet as it is much smaller.
I personally have seen that brand new buses have totally replaced the old buses in:
Ventspils - (all - Mercedes Benz, purchased in 2000)
very small picture with animation
http://www.tourism.ventspils.lv/object.photos/CAT_TRANSPORT.gif
Daugavpils (140 buses, mostly Solaris)
they like bright painted...
http://infobus.com.pl/swiat/4/l_1.jpg
Liepaja (44 new buses)
Jurmala (Mercedes-Benz - very fine ones!)
Bauska (a bit unusual looking)

Valmiera, Jelgava (Volvo) has changed their buses partly, do not know about other cities but most likely it is not bad at all.
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Btw. the fact that I am reporting here only about Riga, does not mean that in other towns nothing happens. Construction per capita in Riga metropolitan area was lover in 2003 than medium in Latvia (only 55% construction happening here although in Riga aglomeration are living nearly 70% of Latvian inhabitants). Some 35 municipalities in Latvia are richer per capita than Riga, including such towns as Valmiera, Dobele, Smiltene or Ventspils (the last 2 times richer).
F.e. tomorrow there will be started construction of Olympic centre (that's basketball + ice hockey hall + fotball hall + athletics centre) in Valmiera, today in Ventspils started construction of juice concentrate freight terminal, in Kemeri (far end of Jurmala) this year would be invested 5 mio EUR to complete reconstruction of art-deco sanatorium, in Sigulda - new "medieval style" conference centre near Turaida castle, two new large factories in Jelgava, in Liepaja developed new plans for city centre and many local people are against it etc etc.
But I do not have time to inform about all of this and I think that it all would be not that interesting for you too...
Oooohh.... sorry sorry this sounds like "Balkan" style barvada. :) I know that Latvia in this sense does not differ from other Baltic states, and even is behind.

Sorry, a bit shame when reading what I wrote yeasterday - really something like bravada... seems the late night and tiredness from endless writing of magistr's thesis are to blame too...
The news of today are:
Architects started detailed design of "Skaistie skati" highrise in Kipsala
You may remember how we (also CrazyKing) disliked this building, which is planned in Kipsala, not far from Saules akmens:
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis8/23874310525.jpg
Today finally there is announcement that architects have started detailed design at it.
This would be apartment house and it has got nickname "Rīgas skaistie skati" - "Nice views in Riga". Just name it "Skaistie skati" (name "Rigas" was added because Gerkan designed another apartment house in Jurmala named "Skaistie skati" - here below you see the design for it) but lets forget about that one - thats nothing high ;)
http://www.realty.lv/img/classif/ekskluziv/skaistie-skati1.gif
"Skaistie skati" have received necessary documentation to start the detailed design. This is done by Gerkan & Marg and Partners together with the local company "Vincents".
The building should be ready in spring 2006. It is planned to have inner garden and luxury shops etc. This building would be characterised by a lot of glass.
Gerkan himself is born in Riga - that's why we see so much of his work here lately.

http://infobus.com.pl/swiat/4/l_1.jpg

:okay: :okay: :okay: :cheers1:

Photographed last Sunday, when going to my "lonely volve's walk" in bush along Gauja River.
___
I like the latest tendency here to bring something like architecture in highways too. Have seen this in France before - highways need architecture!!! Hope our highway builders will continue like this in other places.
Here you see the pedestrian+bycicle crossover near Jugla, Riga. They promise to have many of these over our highways, otherwise the safety due to random and very unexpected pedestrians is bad...
http://photos.heremy.com/Liepaja/24000615008.jpg
Some 500 meters later (this road goes from Riga to Sigulda... but only small part reconstructed) - new Via Baltica crossing - would be interesting how they will light it
http://photos.heremy.com/Liepaja/24000715008.jpg
Nothing that impressive regarding architecture but still better than nothing

TV is going to leave their highrise
You may have noticed one of highrises in Riga - Latvian state TV highrise. Here you see it in the right side of picture:
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis7/17527311451.jpg
The TV highrise has been built in late Soviet times, when there was one - state TV, with huge bureaucratic apparatus and large pieces of technics. Then this building really was filled up with people and life, I worked there too for half a year in 1995.
Nowadays it is quite different. A lot of programs are prepared by private companies around the country, the same about advertisements, there are local studios in different cities, new TV technologies need much less space.
As a result today TV uses only 2 - 3 floors of 22 floors. And pays state money to sustain whole building.
This week there started to work new state TV director and today he has called a press conference, where announced that TV is going to leave this building. Most likely there would be built new studio in centre of Riga which will include also concert hall.
No idea yet who else will manage this building. I hope that somebody will need it - I like that building and it is a little sad that over the last years it looks worse than before...
Here you see TV building as I see it every day, when passing it by to work.
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis7/24080411451.jpg
To this side of it there was planned to build another highrise - 27 floors high state radio building... but Soviet Union collapsed. Btw. radio needs even less space than TV

Mezaparks plans to develop a "city of fountains"
I still owe you reportage about Mezaparks - ideal city for well-off people from 1920ies - 1930ies.
But today there are announced interesting plans by oil transportation company "Vudisona terminals". They rent 13 ha of forest land in Mezaparks - remote place, where German Army in 1942 built oil storage capacities under the earth. The concrete reservoirs (8 very large pieces, 6 of them with capacity of 2200 m3, 10 metres deep) still are there, under the earth and there is no safe technology to remove them. Over the last years there have been installed also good pumps, electrical supplies. But this area today is not feasible for oil storage anymore - too far from harbour.
In this picture you see that area where railway goes into green area - a bit up there is huge red square next to Viestura prospekts - thats project area. You see also the network of narrow gauge railway there.
http://www.rsp.lv/arh/bildes/kartes/mezaparks.gif
Narrow gauge railway there
http://www.ldz.lv/bildes/tu2_2l.jpg
"Vudisona terminals" have proposed another use for this area - to develop a city of fountains. They would like to see hundreds of fountains, artificial cascades, hotel complex, romantic gardens, complex for children and youth. Area would be divided in private (for housing) and public - ices skating, etc. There is also existing narrow gauge railway, which could be renewed a little.
main problem - the reservoirs should be cleaned of oil, the soil is polluted in some places too. Still this is good opportunity to get rid of that pollution.
Riga City development commission have approved these plans for further elaboration.
Expected costs - 14 mio EUR. Earliest time when this could be ready - beginning of 2007.

Gatis, I've been staying once in a hotel in Mezaparks, not far from the football training fields and got an impression of very green, formerly luxurious, btu nowadays a bit rundown area with many old wooden houses. It really has a potential and I'm glad that such nice plans are already drafted!]

As for the TV highrise, I even like it from the distance! Has an interesting leaning roof, not just a simple box!

Thanx and waiting for the Art nouveau!!!! :cheers: :)

Jeffas... OK, OK ;) now I am overloaded with writing my magistr's thesis - "Nature and cultural monument information systems in Latvia". But... hope to get it. Btw the houses in Mezaparks nowadays are mostly renovated - that's again luxury district.

Gatis, no problem, thanx for all your efforts and take your time! I know what you mean by writing the master thesis, as I am now working on my dissertation..... (a good excuse to be wasting some time on the net! :) )

Your thesis title sounds vey interesting! Good luck! :cheers: :drunk:

This thread continues to make for fascinating reading. :)

Jeffas and Gatis, I take my hat off to both of you! :okay: Writing your doctor's and master's thesis ... that's mighty impressive! :master: :master: :master:

I wish you both the best in your awesome endeavor! :angel1:

For that matter, I wish all our forumers who are studying, be it at school or at a university, good luck with their exams. :angel1:

Thank you, WH, you're kind as always! :hi: :hug: It helps not to :badnews: :cheers1:

Sorry, off topic for a moment:

Jeffas! :wave: :hug: Check your PMs @ Miestai ir Architektura, OK? ;)

Action "I make Riga" has been completed, 12 000 proposals received
http://www.rigai.lv/SCMSControls/content/common/GetFile.aspx?id=641&mode=open
Riga currently makes its next general plan for years 2006 - 2018. This time the city has decided to make very ambitious plans (1996 - 2006 plan is considered to be rather weak) and one important part of it is - to find out what the general people want to see.
During April - May there was the first huge public campaign. This time the task was - any possible proposals from any interested person about any, even the most fantastic and crazy ideas to be implemented in Riga. There is specific Webpage of campaign - www.rigai.lv, there were sent newsletters to any person in the city, was a lot of happenings, TV broadcasts - how to find out a good idea, how to remember what good things you have seen elsewhere etc.
In total there have been received approximately 12 000 proposals. From these proposals the city will find out what are the general wishes of the public - to which direction the city should go.
Your reporter (that's me) sent three ideas. One was - to create a cherry garden near centrum with large promenade leading along Daugava. This would enable to have specific spring feeling, when all of this would be flowering. Another - to move the Botanical gardens to Zakusala island and to create specific tropical glasshouses in forms of organic architecture there. Current Botanical gardens are a bit sad and the tropical trees have little space there... And the third proposals? Can not remember... Aah, I think - it was proposal to develop an organic architecture "playground" in Lucavsala, where through international tenders would slowly be created a complex of true contemporary architecture. And to divide Lucavsala with channels into a kind of Venezia.
I hope that I would be among the lucky ones who win some prizes ;)

"I make Riga" sounds rather controversial, at least translated into Lithuanian :lol:

and what about highrises Gatis? have you seen any of those proposals by others? What generally public thinks about skyscrapers in Riga?

Hello, John :)
Huh, I can imagine whan it means in Lithuanian. But in Latvian there is no bad meaning - it would be bad if instead of "Es daru Rigu" would be jargon "Es taisu Rigu". ;) Yeah... imagine if there would be not two Baltic languages but more - then there would be even more such cases.
I did not make any proposals regarding highrises because at that time Kipsala development plans were announced already and I could not want anything more for city of Riga size. And I was afraid that Riga currently is not planning much regarding the "park and greenery" area - so it was my wish.
The general opinion of the public regarding highrises seems to be quite good here. You may look at the news in this thread some pages back - the public hearings regarding the draft of highrise district in Kipsala were quite positive - only 11 totally negative announcements.

Planned "Skaistie skati" higrise too similar to BMW AG highrise?
There is BMW AG building in Munich, Germany, built in 1970ies...
And there is building designed in Riga by grand architect Gerkan, currently detailed design on-going:
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis8/23874310525.jpg
Can you see some similarities? OK, these buildings of course are not identical. And there are so many box-shaped skyscrapers around the world which look really identical... But still I am worried that anyone from Munich, arriving in Riga would say - "hoh, they stole our idea!"

Riga street-tram (light rail) network to be expanded
Now, when Riga City more or less successfully has united all the public transportation enterprises in one (three years ago there were two city-bus enterprises and one tram + trolley enterprise), they have elaborated also concept for further development (2004 - 2018).
Main accent for future public transportation in Riga would be development of modern street-tram.
Several of the present trolleybus lines would be turned into street-tram lines - f.e. it is planned that tram will appear on Kr. Valdemara street.
During this time Riga should totally change its present trams to low-floor silent trams, which would have a bit (but not much) higher speed.
The first model of locally produced tram should start working at the end of 2005.
It is expected that Riga City should accept this conception until middle of this summer - then the city will prepare project proposal for EU for modernisation of street-tram network.
To my mind this is quite late... but it is better than never ;)
This fellow will not last longer than 2018... Picture by Normunds Mezins
http://www.apollo.lv/upload/2004-05-24/20802/tramvajs-400.jpg

Two historical houses to be moved to Kipsala
In Balasta dambis (northern part of Kipsala island) during this year would be built two wooden buildings, which were "unwelcome" in the center of the city.
Here would be moved one-floor wooden building from Baznicas 18, built in 1820 and the house of the gardener of one manor house, where today the place has taken embassy of China.
Both of these houses were not monuments of architecture but still state legislation requires that valuable buildings should not be deliberately destroyed. Both houses would be sold as one-family houses.
Architects have expressed concern that the northern part of Kipsala should not turn into museum for old wooden buildings and the city should leave them where they belong.
I think that Balasta dambis in Kipsala will look better now. In fact - it is very interesting already now.
Here - before this building would be located one of the "new" wooden buildings
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis7/976926923.jpg

Architecture for new apartment quartal in Imanta with Japanese gardens to be tendered through Embassy of Japan
Next to the 5 17-floor buildings and 2 22-floor buildings in Imanta, which all are under construction it is planend to build also a new quartal with lowrise buildings and semi-public Japanese gardens.
Immobilities company R.Evolution last week anounced that it starts realisation of project CityZEN. As a part of this project would be reconstructed also 1 ha large historical park (there was Imanta manor house in 18th century, but it is destroyed long ago :( ). Next to this park would be built 7-floor building and 2-floor building with inner yard.
Not a single tree or bush in the park would be cut. The roofs of the buildings would have park on them as well. The inner yard would be designed as a modern Japanese garden, although the developer initially wanted to have ancient Japanese garden. This garden outside the inner yard will slowly turn into classical park of 18th century.
For designing this complex there will be announced separate tendering through the Embassy of Japan. Still it is not clear whether this will involve international tenderers.
Early design which still does not show all the features (no greenery on the roofs, park is badly planned):
http://www.nams24.lv/images/jaunmajas/CityZ_2L.jpg
It looks much worse than the promises. You may look at their nice Webpage with stupid sounds - CityZEN (http://www.cityzen.lv/)
_
Commentaries from some architects include also remark that Riga City should set aside large area for such exclusive experiments. In middle of Imanta commie-block architecture this looks a little weird although it would improve this district very much.
_
These would be not the first apartments in Riga with gardens on the roof. In this spring was completed 9-floor Tomsona terases with nice rooftop gardens.

Another 22-floor apartment building planned in Anninmuizas boulevard?
Here is draft design of 22-floor apartment building on the corner of Anninmuizas boulevard and Jurmalas gatve. Seems the developer run in money problems and could not realise it and now is selling his land parcel together with the project.
The rendering does not show the new highrises, which would be located next to it.
Lets hope the best that it would be realised - I kinda like it.
http://www.garant.lv/imagesnew/Imanta1Vera.jpg

"Skaistie skati" definitely has its shape from BMW-building in Munich :D I've seen it from the Olympia-tower there.

The last one looks massive! Think I need to see some colours before I can make an opinion about it.

Good morning everybody! :) NorthStar77 - the last highrise... we should not take it too serious yet - nothing is heard about it.

More than 30mio EUR to be invested in creating a 24hours live quartal
Quartal between Dzirnavu, Terbatas, Blaumana and Kr. Barona streets to be reconstructed and turned into prestigious space for different happenings.
During this spring 5 invited bureaus of architects have been preparing their works for tender about the best solution - how to turn one of Riga historical Art Nouveau centre quartals into a kind of Soho (NewYork) or Mayfair (London). This project has got codename "Terbatas centrs". In 9th June there would be taken decision about the winning solution but now any interested person can give his opinion about proposed plans.
Living rooms would take more than 50% of the space, here would be also office rooms, shopping galeries, hotel etc. It is planned that this place would be full with light and life 24 hours per day.
The quartal has numerous art values and its reconstruction will take much time - it will last until the end of 2008.
This is not the first such place in Riga - "Berga bazars" already has this style of life. Still it is fine that there would be one more such place.
This is one street further - but it looks something like this:
http://www.blpa.lv/database/terbatas45/corner.jpg

In Jelgava currently built five new factories
This is not quite Riga but 30km from it. I am preparing also reportage about architecture in Jelgava City... please wait some days.
After 15 years of heavy depression Jelgava city is experiencing industrial booming now.
Currently there are built five factories each next to other:
- Belgians (Car Design) - car seats for children;
- Germans (AKG) - car radiators for Porshe, Mercedes Benz;
- Russians (ZIL) - small size lorry factory;
- Latvia - bus service and a bit later - also production;
- Latvia - factory of alcoholic beverages (brr... we have too many of them)

I am very glad about this because last Sunday I saw the terrible condition of Jelgava town... I am especially glad because Jelgava was a kind of local car building centre and it was silent for the last 10 years...
(there are some more cities with booming industry - Ventspils, Olaine, Liepaja, Dobele, Valmiera... but I am especially glad about Jelgava somehow :)
Jelgava palace
http://www.viahansa.com/images/destinations/latv/jelgava.jpg

Last year in one of the local newspapers I read an article about the proposed expansion of Riga International Airport to adapt it to Schengen travel requirements, however I have not heard anything since then (even though I actively searched for more information). Also, airBaltic - Latvian national air carrier - was supposed to have their new offices on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the new terminal. Since I have not heard anything since the last summer, I thought that was just a media gossip! Only last week I discovered on www.arhis.lv project designs for the proposed North Terminal of the airport. Does anybody have any additional information of the project? I would be very curious to find out more.
Thanks Gatis for the excellent info on Riga and wonderful photos on www.trekearth.com.

Current condition of RIX:

http://www.arhis.lv/data/projects/sabiedriskas/05_lido/bilde1.-1.500.350.jpg

Proposed new addition to RIX:

http://www.arhis.lv/data/projects/sabiedriskas/lidosta%20zt/b1.500.jpg
http://www.arhis.lv/data/projects/sabiedriskas/lidosta%20zt/b2.500.jpg

@LV ELF

welcome to the forum!
nice to see more Latvians around! :)

:eek2: :carrot: :banana:
LV ELF - this is beautiful to see you here! I am always a little afraid that just one Latvian here might be a little too few. Anyone else for the last months is hearing one-person orchestra from Riga.
But to the "work".
No... now I can not find anything about extension in airport. At least in reality it is not built there.
___
News around the airport:
Airport highway is extended and improved now (last year it was improved already), there is built new highway bridge over the railway to Zolitude district and a new clover-shaped crossing. Over the last days, when going to work I am looking how they destroy the former private houses in the place where the new highway would be built. Do not worry - these were not nice houses...
http://www.lad.lv/lv/PC/PageImages/Original/469.jpg

O wow, Gatis! :) Your constant updates to this thread are truly impressive. :master::master::master:

I must say your one-man orchestra has been a delight to listen to: full, rich sound in all sections, great musicality, fascinationg renditions of heretofore unknown works. :okay:

LV ELF, welcome to the forums! :wave: :cheers1:

This thread is cursed, as far as I'm concerned. Perhaps the higher powers don't want me to give comments. You see, every time I try to write a reply, my browser crashes while I'm typing or then I accidentally close it. I'll try to make a more detailed post in the near future, but until then: what WH said = I agree.

I just found a short interview with Dzintars Pomers - head of Riga International Airport published just a few days ago. He specifically said about the proposed extension that "Construction will start this summer and it will be completed at the end of 2005 so that after joining Schengen, we could separate passengers from Schengen countries from other passengers."
At least now we have a some specific information on the dates and confirmation of someome who would know what is going on with the project. The full article is here (http://www.aci-europe.org/upload/New%20EU%20Member%20States.pdf)

:nocrook:

Thank you for the link to that article, LV ELF! :) Lots of interesting information on all the new EU members. :okay:

@Oberleutnant: sorry to hear about your predicament :( but glad you share my views. :)

LV ELF, thanks for the article! Lots of interesting info about our cities. And even some new info about new Vilnius passenger terminal. As the article states the current capacity is 1.2mln. and in 2003 there were 720,000 passengers in VNO, so few more years and it would be congested.
Vilnius is currently leading by the number of passengers but the numbers of all 3 Baltic capitals are prety similar so the competition is (and will remain) very strong. Good luck for Riga with its new terminal ;)

Exhibition hall to be made under CityHall Plaza, Old City
City needs only some 0,6 mio EUR to make a large exhibition hall under the newly built City Hall Plaza.
In 2001, when City Plaza with surrounding houses was built, there was built also one underground floor with quite large area. The building of one or more underground floors is becoming to be obligatory for any new building in City centre.
In picture - building of underground floor in City Plaza, 2000, here seen only part of it.
http://www.rbsskals.lv/Ratslaukuma_izbuve.jpg
The floor is 1 m below the water level of nearby Daugava River.
Initially it was planned to have car park there but now, as the debate about the development of historical centre is nearly over, it is decided that there would be large exhibition hall. It is planned that in September this year there would be announced tender about construction there to adapt this building.

I like that exhibition hall idea. There was an exhibition of "Lithuanian architecture 2000-2003" in the underground parking (under Gediminas avenue) and everyone liked the idea:
http://www.lietuvosarchitektura.lt/images/img_02.gif

Btw are there any problems with archeological findings in that place? Many works were delayed here in Vilnius because of them and there were found some valuable things from the past ;).

Reconstruction of VEF nearly completed
VEF (Valsts Elektrotehniska Fabrika) is a factory outside Riga historical centre.
I might be wrong, but at least they announce that at the end of 1930ies it was second largest electronics factory in Europe, surpassed only by Philips. They were at the forefront on technological advances in electronics then - f.e. the production of TV sets there started in 1939, it was planned to have Latvian TV station in some years time. But then came Soviet occupation and Germans and so on... Soviets evacuated the factory to Russia (as any factory in Latvia) and later installed already something of lover quality. Still it production was among the best in Soviet Union... but could not compete with Sony, Philips and likes.
When Soviet Union collapsed, there was needed approximately 1mld USD investment to make VEF factory a world class producer. This investment did not come... and local market of 2,5 mio people was too small to support it. Thus the factory is dead since some 1996.
But it has left great architectonic heritage.
Here we see the buildings built at the early 20th century. All these buildings are factories.
http://www.latvia.eolas-net.ne.jp/industry/img/vef.jpg
Here we see later addition from 1920ies - in functionalism style. I like it very much.
http://www.ihp.lt/gateway/lv/grafika/I_Vef.jpg
Now the buildings are reconstructed to host different bureaus. Hope that one day there will come producers of electronics back... although nowadays they have left Riga to Ogre, Olaine and some more cities.
Reconstruction will cost around 3,5 mio EUR. and main part would be completed in June.

It's great to hear that such buildings are being restored.
Btw we still have VEF260 radio/mc player. And it's still working! :)

"Eldikrija" apartments constructed next to "Citadele" complex
http://www.pblc.lv/img/obj_027_1.jpg
It is planned that near the northern part of Riga Old City would be located somewhat higher buildings to create better skyline around the ministry of Agriculture building (ha... which has to be made lover in 2025?).
There has been started construction of this building in Republica Plaza 3. It will be apartment house with rised gardens on the roof. It will have 30 bureau offices, 93 workshops for artists and handicrafts, underground parking lot, 126 apartments. Inner yard would be accessible for public.
To be completed in spring 2005.
Designer - PBLC, Ugis Senbergs.

OK, there are some more interesting news, but some other day...

Urban sprawl Blitzkrieg around Riga!
I have said some months ago that there are under construction and design more than 200 (!) private house villages around Riga. We here do not like new or renovated commieblocks - separate houses are preferred of course. Anyone hates commieblocks, but what else will come in place?
Here you see how will look the meadows along Riga - Jurmala highway in some years time. Today there are NO BUILDINGS except "Siemens Ledus halle" - fine ice-hockey hall. Otherwise there are just wast meadows almost to the horizon.
http://www.nams24.lv/images/projects/Silaraji_1L.jpg
Now have arrived lots of bulldozers, new roads are built etc. Holy God and this is happening everywhere... I can only have nightmares about traffic congestions after some 6 years if there would be no new bridges over Daugava...
I hate commieblocks and am happy that there are not so many built in Riga - may be some 40. But urban sprawl is not good too...

/\Ouch! Not a good urban developement:( What happened here 20 years ago happens in Riga now. Suburbs are still beeing built here, but not to that extent anymore. Densification is the hot word nowadays!

Mayor of Moscow receives latest design of tram to be produced in Riga
Some days ago Riga got a visit from Moscow, there were many interesting things happening including the opening of newly built "Moscow house" in Riga - postmodern, rather large office and entertainment centre.
As factory "RVR" is expected to supply Moscow with modern low-floor trams and Moscow (Riga City too) is supporting the elaboration of new trams, there were shown the latest pictures of this "wonder of technics" to Moscow mayor Luzhkov.
Here are two pictures with two different colour schemes.
It is expected that this tram would be cheaper than the Western high-end analogues but still having the qualities of very modern tram including low floor.
_
I would not say that the design looks super-unique but to my mind it is not that bad either. Lets see how the factory would manage to re-enter in this rather complicated market of public transportation. Hope, they will manage.
The first working samples should start tests in Riga (do not know about Moscow) in the end of 2005.

Gatis, I can't see the pics :(

Hm. It's Yahoo hosting - may be it is available only to me, through password? My former - "HereMy hosting" is down since some days with all my 200 pictures :(
Can you propose good image host?

@Gatis

the best one I know is http://img44.photobucket.com/ they give 50MB and monthly abndwidth of 2.5GB and is designed to work with forums like this one, that's quite enough for an average scale of forum use. The only thing I don't understand is why the hell they do this because it's free, no ads, no spam, nothing, I bet it won't survive for long :|

Ooo. Many thanks, John!!! This takes also .gif (sometimes very useful) and larger pictures than HereMy. This is very good bargain!!! :nocrook:
So - please - the pictures of trams to be produced in Riga (I hope) ! One and the same with two different colours.
http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/v236/lecekte/SabiedrTransports/RVR2002.jpg
http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/v236/lecekte/SabiedrTransports/RVR2002_2.jpg

I want those here!! Really, I like them :)

"Hard Rock" restaurant in Riga - second in Eastern Europe
Opening of a single retaruant or club is not a big deal, but as I understand - "Hard Rock" cafes have somewhat higher prestige.
At the end of summer the first one would be opened in Riga. Investments - some 2,2 mio EUR. It would be located in Old Riga, Palasta 9.
The first "Hard Rock" restaurant in Eastern Europe was opened in Moscow. In Riga is soming the second one.

New town - Saliena - to be built between Riga and Jurmala
This very approximate map shows the location of newly planned town between Riga and Jurmala:
http://www.saliena.com/img/saliena.jpg
Initial area - 600 ha, developer "Saliena Real" is purchasing more. Planned number of inhabitants over the next 10 years - 5000. Development of the town - 10 - 20 years, although some of the first buildings are ready now (Siemens Ice hockey hall), some are under construction.
This town would consist of living houses (their height - not more than 4 floors), gardens, sports and entertainment buildings, office space, factories, administrative and technical infrastructure buildings, it is planned to build also large hospital. The developers hope to attract some of the Riga highschools too - here they will have wider campus area.
This picture was posted by me two days ago - this is the rendering of the new town.
http://www.nams24.lv/images/projects/Silaraji_1L.jpg
It is planned to build also new highway extension. Nothing heard of electric public transportation... although it would be needed to my mind.
"Saliena Real" ir established in 1999, its owners - Latvia, Great Britain, Norway. General development plan of the new town was developed in 2000, curently it part by part is included in Babite municipality (where it is located) general plans.
Today it is open, boring farmland... not anymore - as there is full with technics.
Their Webpage - www.saliena.com

Once more affirmed - tram to become main public transportation in Riga

Riga Historical Centre development plan envisages development of street tram and pushing out the buses and trolleybuses as well as the general traffic.
Over the last years Riga city has invested in City bus park more than 100 mio EUR and currently it is investing in trolleybus park. But starting from the next year main stress would be on development of street tram and this accent would be maintained over longer future.
The investigations ordered by the City Development Department show that the most cost efficient public transportation is street tram. The necessary investment though exceed 500 mio EUR...
Street-tram is planned in Elizabetes Street and along the Daugava coastline (toll-zone for cars would be extended to cover not only Old City but also Boulevards, Daugava coastline, part of Centrum), there would be developed new crossings, tram will go in Avotu Street, to some more districts of the city. It is planned that in central part of the city there should be no place where it is more than 400 m to the nearest tram stop.
Street trams to be produced and used in Riga (preliminary)
http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/v236/lecekte/SabiedrTransports/RVR2002_2.jpg

oh my god, lots of action in Riga!!! the new town between Riga and Jurmala sounds very ambitious... and the new trams look nice, they're better than buses because they don't pollute much....

nice trams.. hope to get them in tallinn too... but we have good trolleybuses and buses.. :)oh and i heard we got some new trams! :) YEEHAA
example of a trolley (well quite rare at the moment) http://www.tttk.ee/img/troll/solaris_18.gif

ehh... do u have absolutly any information about the cost of those trams.. because we are modifying the old ones we got... and that is pretty expensive.. so its interesting to know whats the diffrence between prices.

aah.. the kipsala project it seems u and lithuania went the "ten times measure one time make" line... and planned the clusters, but tallinn just went what the heck, and started building... so now.. we have great big debates over where-how-why-what-how tall-cant u make smaller-will it cover oldtown-and so ON!... aarghh i hate it... there are tons of investors waiting to build in our city but the government keeps closing them... ahh cant stand this...:down: arghhhhhhh

Ha, ch1le, I see that you in Tallinn have got exactly the same trolleys (Polish Solaris + Hungarian " Ganz") that we plan to have here in Riga. Here in Riga they will arrive at the end of the year but 'en masse', to replace most of the existing ones.

ohhho, en masse! :) cool... still where will you get the money... 1 trolley costs like 5 mil EEK which is like humm 217 000 Latts... and i think u have more trolleys then us...so it will require a large sum...all in one trade seems to be Too big

Riga has got 266 trolleybuses on 23 lines, total length - 217,7 km.
Over the end of 2004 and the beginning of 2005 it is planned to purchase 100 large, three-axe trolleybuses, all from Ganz. Initially Czech Skoda sued Riga City about the results of the international tender, but happily the court process was not too long and Riga City won.
(Unfortunately the court process regarding the construction of the Northern tunnell is much longer altough it seems that Riga City is right here too)
100 new trolleybuses in the park of 266 trolleybuses - it is not full replacement at all. But still visible improvement.
Total cost of the contract - 23,17 mio LVL (some 35 mio EUR).
Other tenderers were Czech Skoda (22,25 mio LVL) and Byelorussian Belkommunmash (20,23 mio LVL). Hungarian proposal was the most qualitative and it was calculated that over longer time they will repay better.

well... ok nice, dam its a pity Tallinn city doest support our City transport cervice.. :P

ZIL Ferrus 4362 - car to be produced near Riga, in Jelgava

The joint Russian (ZIL) - Latvian (Ferrus - experienced in producing agricultural technics) factory of this car would be built in 2006. The car is specifically designed for this new factory.
http://rus.tvnet.lv/images/upload/ferrau_l_0.jpg
In Russia would be produced the chassis and the framework of the cabin, anything else would be produced in Latvia, engine would be made in Great Britain.
Expected costs of lorry - 19 000 - 20 000 EUR. In a year to be produced 1000 pieces.
Small factory but still true rebirth of local car-building industry.
_
In Riga City (as well as in Vilnius, Lithuania) in this year has started production of Bielorussian MAZ as well - but that is not really production but montage.

Skanstes Street - another new business quartal for Riga, highrises possible there too
http://www.realty.lv/rus/img/news/92386210062004093309.jpg
Some days ago finally were prepared draft design for constructiong the large Ice hockey hall in Skanstes Street, north from City center.
These plans come together with detailed planning for other 100 ha of empty land around here.
This land is not suitable for living apartments (railroad and factories around), but ideal for high end business quartal.
Among numerous other buildings developers propose to build here government quartal with three buildings - 16 floors, 24 floors and 40 floors high.
Skanstes street will be extended (now it is 6 line highway), here would be build street tram.
Soon I will find time to go to Riga City council and to take closer pictures of this planned district.

After some time, when I will have time, I will report also about the new plans in Kipsala, including some new highrises.

UNESCO to evaluate the "damage to landscape" from Saules akmens
At the end of June in Riga will arrive the commission of UNESCO World Heritage Committee to evaluate what damage has been done to landscape in Riga by "Saules akmens" highrise.
Last year UNESCO World Heritage Committee took decision that the number of floors of Saules akmens should be decreased to 15. So they will come this year and count, how many floors the building has got (27 - I can whisper to them before the visit).
The reason for the decision of the last year was prepared by a group of international experts and they declared the following - Riga historically has no highrises near Daugava (what about Ministry of Agriculture in Old City?) and a new highrise changes this principle.
Riga last year did not take decision to stop the construction of Saules akmens, as it would start very expensive court process.
It might happen that UNESCO takes decision that Riga Historical Centre is World Heritage monument "under danger". But Latvian experts do not expect it - Riga has elaborated extremely detailed Riga Historical Centre Development plan, almost no other World Heritage Centre in the world has such a detailed plan. There is moratorium on construction in Historical Centre (do many cities have such? This moratorium is costing to the city millions) and only the projects which were approved before this moratorium are built now.

I see this noise around Saules akmens as something very unfair. There is no place where this building interferes in the landscape of Old City. Saules akmens is part of new landscape to be created here, where before were no landscape values (or may be Preses nams is landscape value?). And there are loads of World Heritage cities anywhere which build highrises and other new buildings which really become part of city center panorama.

In this picture you can evaluate the landscape, which is "totally damaged" by Saules akmens.
http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/v236/lecekte/Saules-Akm-PetB-8jun04.jpg

wow, i don't know what to say..... i hope everything will end up good for Riga concerning Saules Akmens...

180 mio EUR to be invested in Kliversala, several highrises to be built
Kliversala is another island near Kipsala island. Kliversala was not included in the plans of so called "Kipsala highrise district" - here was planned to build midrise buildings.
http://www.rsp.lv/arh/bildes/kartes/kipsala_kliversala.gif
Kliversala today has ONLY bad looking Soviet factories on it.
Today company Pro Capital has announced that on area of 5,7 ha in Kliversala they expect to spend more than 180 mio EUR to build several new quartals. It will include also several highrises, to be located at waterfront. Most of the buildings here would be apartment houses, but office space and high-end hotel would be built as well.
The project would be implemented in several turns, but it would be completed until 2011-2012. In the first turn it is planned to rebuild one Soviet built house and to build 24 floors high apartment house with 20 000 m2 space (not to be mixed with another 24-floor apartment house to be started this year in the other side of Agenskalna licis!).
The land here is owned by Pro Kapital. Detailed plan has been elaborated and currently is under revision in Riga City Council.

My opinion - Agenskalna licis with highrises around it - it might look very impressive. At the same time it surprises me - it is outside the planned Kipsala highrise district... and it is just across the Old City... may be some 1,4 km away. At the same time - they would not be much visible from Old City streets, which rarely open to Daugava.

More or less OK. Much better than the mess in this place today.

Riga is considering to have its second opera

It is good to have opera - then your city becomes something to be called city. But metropolis needs two operas :) (OK, may be something more is needed ;) )
Riga has Opera - and a very good one. Even if you think that you hate opera after hearing squeaky noises from your TV set... when you come to Riga, try to visit our Opera and your impressions will change to the best. I myself try to be there at least two times per year although it is not easy (tickets are hard to get) and costly - medium level ticket costs 30 EUR. And it is fiesta for your soul!!! I even do not notice how the tears come in eyes, when opera is starting...

There is another beautiful building without much use. It is very very ornate Stalinist style building far out of the centre but at main street - Brivibas Street. This is VEF Culture Palace - built in 1960 as culture palace for former largest electronics factory in Latvia. Have been there several times... and I think that I never have seen Stalinist style building with such a beautiful interior.
Only hard to find these pictures...
http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/v236/lecekte/RigaPanorama/VEFKulturas.jpg
Detail
http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/v236/lecekte/RigaPanorama/VEF_Kulturas2.jpg
Sorry, no more pictures found...
The building has two large halls, both suitable for theatre, operas.
In August this Year Culture Board of Riga City Council will announce its future plans regarding this building. But most likely decision would be - Musical Operette Theater. Not exactly Opera but something slightly different.
For the first turn of reconstruction there would be used 0,8 mio EUR but much more expensive modernisation would be needed.

First quartal of 2004 successful in Latvia - GDP increase 8,8%
Text? Simple - look at the heading ;)
It is expected that GDP increase for whole year in Latvia would exceed 8%. Economists consider the situation to be stable but warn that going above 9% might indicate slight "overheating" risc in coming years.

so, Riga will be the skyscraper capital of our region. congrats! :colgate:

First quartal of 2004 successful in Latvia - GDP increase 8,8%
but warn that going above 9% might indicate slight "overheating" risc in coming years.

wow... lithuani is on fire then :) , good to hear that... GDP rise is very good... all baltic states got a GDP rize, because of joining with EU... go EU... there are ALOT of EU sceptics in estonia, im sickened about hearing them flame The EU... how do people feel about the EU in latvia?

wow 8.8% in Q1 sounds quite amazing
Lithuania's GDP growth in 2004 Q1 was "only" 7.7%, because it had to grow from a high base of 2003 as it grew 9.6% then :)
but let's wait for Q2 ;)

GDP increase in Q2 is expected to be very high here too. Because the prices went up and there was far higher turnover of everything.
Do the Latvians blame EU on everything? Recent polls say that only 1/3 is happy about being part of EU. Judge yourselves... But it should change quickly as agriculture subsidies will start in August, I am sure.

Another interesting story - there are very rarely announced the costs of land purchases in Riga. But today there was announced costs of 4400 m2 of empty land in Mezaparks - 6 km from city center. So... 4400 m2 there cost 2 mio USD. OMG, who could imagine that two years ago...
And I dreamed about building a small house in Riga sometimes...

hmh... the prices went up yes... i think its rather good news :) with the prices going up.. the managers think... hmm things are more expensive, lets make my pay bigger.. well, things go better and better, then he thinks..im living so good... why wont my employees be well off... and so he raizes employees pay.. and everyone wins... the small VAT increase hasnt done much bad... but rather good

Riga is considering to have its second opera

It is good to have opera - then your city becomes something to be called city. But metropolis needs two operas :) (OK, may be something more is needed ;) )


lol, In Oslo we are building our first opera! ;) Well there is one already but its really crappy...

Airplane falls in Riga... renovned air photographer dies
Last days Riga has seen two medium sized catastrophies :(
In late Saturday, 11th June near the centrum of Riga, in Andrejosta harbour fell small airplane with two people. It crashed into storage rooms belonging to energy supply company. Seems - the plane went in whirlwind above Daugava river and the pilot could not manage it. Both people - 28 years old girl and renovned pilot and photographer Janis Vitins died.
I have posted his pictures here... And do it again from his Website:
http://www.jvk.lv/galery/aero_riga/index.htm
Daugavgriva fortress in the northern part of Riga
http://www.jvk.lv/galery/aero_latvija/bolderaja.jpg
Kolka lighthouse in northern Kurzeme
http://www.jvk.lv/galery/aero_latvija/baaka.jpg
Cesis town
http://www.jvk.lv/galery/aero_latvija/CESIS%20copy.jpg
Unlucky plane...
http://www.jvk.lv/galery/aero_latvija/plane.jpg

Five floor house in Old Riga collapses during repair works
As summer starts, Riga exeriences boom of reconstruction works never seen before. This in turn leads to sharp deficit of experienced workers.
In Saturday, 11th June collapsed inner structure of house in Valnu Street 3. Outer carcass of the building still is standing, but the rescue workers say - it stays only thanks to some stones in fundament and may collapse any moment.
Under the collapsed constructions there were four construction workers. During dramatic 4 hours long rescue operation all were saved, two of them are heavily injured. Rescue operation was extremely dangerous as it was required to lift concrete blocks with hydraulic pillows which may lead to collapse of the whole building.
It seems that the catastroph happened due to the wrong sequence of the works by inexperienced workers.

The house most likely would be destroyed. It is built in 1920ies, simple functionalism style.
Can not find pictures...

too bad about both of the things.... ):

sad to hear that...hope better luck for you in the future...

Yeah... At least that house in Valnu Street - seems the damage is not that severe and it would be reconstructed further.

Signed memoradum about construction of modern arts museum and concert hall in Riga
Representatives of Latvian Ministry of Culture and Riga City Council have signed a memorandum today. It states how state and City will invest in development and construction of new modern arts museum and concert hall. These buildings should be ready until the end of 2008. Detailed design is starting in this year.

Other news in short:

1. City has approved the construction of office center, conference center, hotel in Lucavsala, area - 3,7 ha, investments - 11 mio EUR, investor - "Polystar". This is the first - lowrise part of Lucavsala development plans which involve construction of 26 floor building as well... but that will be approved later.
2. Near to completion rebuilding of factory quartal near Kr. Barona Street and railway. In former times here was Riga electromechanical factory. Most interesting feature of this new apartment+office+small productions quartal - air gardens on the roofs of some buildings, there would be trees on the roofs as well.
3. Choosen the winner of architecture tender for the high-end quartal (named "Terbatas centrs") in historical centre of Riga (between Dzirnavu, Terbatas, Blaumana, Kr. Barona streets) - have been writing about it before. Inside of this quartal would be modern, with pedestrian street and numerous shops, clubs etc. From outside it would still retain its Art Nouveau quartal feel - the buildings would be reconstructed In one side there will be seen new 6 floor building - here the historical buildings were destroyed by bombing in WWII. Planned investments - 24 mio EUR. Works will start around August this year, the building site is prepared right now. Works would be completed in 2007 - 2009.
There were five participants in this tender. The winner - "Legzdins & Partneri".
http://www.nams24.lv/images/articles/tcentrs.jpg

Glass covered streets show their drawbacks - two crows are inprisoned in Jaunavu Street
In 2001 there was renewed Jaunavu Street in Old City - this is small street covered with glass and Riga City Council building. You can shop in there - but there are not that many people in general.
Picture by AFI
http://www.tvnet.lv/images/upload/raatsnams_l_8.jpg
For two days in this street there are two unfortunate crows. These are young and unexperienced birds who can not find their way out. So they are living in this street for some days aready, making big noise and continuously attacking the glass. Specialists from Zoological garden say - it is impossible to catch them. Tonight they will try to feed and catch these unfortunate crows.
So - if you plan such streets - provide opening in the upper part of glassy wall - so the birds can get out... they instinctively try to fly to the upper part of glass wall.

poor birds... :lol:

once a swallow flew into my room...:eek: it was hard to get him out...

Kliversala to get 6 buildings above 14 floors
A bit more information about the planned construction works in Kliversala.
In this year will be started reconstruction of ugly Soviet time 5-floor building, facing Daugava. It will be turned into high-end apartments under code name "Prokurs", 120 apartments. This year would be started also construction of 24-floor apartment tower (62 000 m2, some 600 apartments)..
In the end of 2004 - beginning of 2005 developer - "Pro Kapital" will see the market situation and then they will take decision whether to start the construction of next 24 floor tower + 20 floors tower and other highrise buildings.
In the central part of Kliversala there will be created small lake and/or park, it will be surrounded by highrises.


Area of forest in Latvia reached record level

In 2003 the official area of forest in Latvia was 44,7% (2,9 mio ha) and this is the highest result over the last century. For each person in Latvia it makes - 1,22 ha (but in Russia - 5,61 ha!). The reason for this increase - collapes of agriculture + strict overall politics to protect natural resources. But the last announcement to me as an evnironmental expert seems wrong.
In fact there is a lot of forest... but it is cut very much. Old growths are remaining only in the protected areas (10% of forest are strictly protected), anywhere else they are cut.

Permit received, construction of World championship Ice hockey area starts in Riga

Two years of scandals around the ice hockey arena are nearly over. Company "Merks" has received the necessary permits to start the works in Skanstes Street. Ice hockey arena (costs - 30 mio EUR) should be ready until 2006 to host the ice hockey world championship. This is small part of the plans of "Merks" in this area - there is planned even to build 40 floor skyscraper too.

"Saules akmens" to be renamed, its total measured height - 123 meters

- Geniuses from "Hansabanka" today announced that the skycraper which until now was named "Saules akmens" would be renamed in "Hansabanka Central Building". The name "Saules akmens" was given by architects to another design, which was not choosen for implementation. Architect office "Depo" which proposed this name for initial project - they do not object if the current building keeps the same name.
Why "Hansabanka" did this change? They said that public opinion polls show that people in Riga do not like name "Saules akmens". Interesting, where in the hell did they found these people? (Or may be the reason is bad publicity around "Saules akmens", on-going over the last years?)
Do not know, but they are not wise in this case to my mind. Anyway I think that name "Saules akmens" would be used by public anyway.
- The total height of the building after some cirrection in the design has reached 123 meters.
- Total costs - approximately 31,1 mio EUR.
- Changes in design have led to serious delays. The building would be fully operational only in autumn this year. Currently on-going inner design works, starting the greening works around the building.

Riga historical centre council approves the design of 24floor highrise "Skaistie skati"

"Balasta Properties" Ltd. have got one of the most complicated permits to their project of 24floor apartment highrise in Kipsala. Architects - German company - " GMP Architcts". The new building should be ready in spring 2006.

Reconstruction of National theatre completed, some 11 mio EUR spent


Latvian National theatre is built in 1901 in neobarocco style, architect - Augusts Reinbergs. Here in 18th November 1918 after impossibly hard fights against united German-Russian forces was announced independent Latvia. For many years it was not only simple theatre but also one of the most ornate inetiors in Riga.
Over the last 6 years theatre was reconstructed and it was opened in last weeks with great festivity. Theater has got also very expensive high-tech equipment, including second most expensive stage (able to move up and down for some 3 meters, of course, rotating etc.) in Europe. Used only 400 g of gold but some 40 m2 covered with it.
Some pics of the works of restauration:
http://www.apollo.lv/upload/2004-06-21/22998/Lustra005%20500.jpg
http://www.apollo.lv/upload/2004-06-21/22998/10-12%201%20500.jpg
http://www.apollo.lv/upload/2004-06-21/22998/Teatris%202%20500.jpg
http://www.apollo.lv/upload/2004-06-21/22998/Teatris%201%20500.jpg
http://www.apollo.lv/upload/2004-06-21/22998/10-12%202%20500.jpg :eek2:

ahh, nice theatre... sorry to hear that saules akmens will lose its glorious name :(

Yeah, @ch1le, this is sad about the change of the name. I already put the new name of "Saules akmens" in emporis.com - I recently became editor there. But here comes the next beautiful giant with nice name:

"Smilsu pulkstenis" project goes on after the end of court process
http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/v236/lecekte/VisiRigas/SmilsuPulkstenis.jpg
Before the big festivity of Summer Solstice two companies - developer "Valdo" and builder "PBLC Latvia" announced that they end the court process about their previous common work - "Valdo" offices - see picture:
http://www.valdo.lv/images/off40x1.jpg
This court process was the reason for slow-down of the highly unusual highrise "Smilsu pulkstenis" project. Now both companies have concluded agreement about continuation of detailed design of this building.
There still is possibility that this potential 35-floor skyscraper would be located in Kipsala highrise district, although some time ago company thought that it will be located further south (see my map in Riga highrise encyclopaedia (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=109598) )

In southern part of Riga - Rumbula - planned residential "skyscrapers"
One of the longest ways to leave Riga is to go to Daugavpils direction along Daugava River - driving on Maskavas (Moscow) Street. I still have not accounted all the highrise buildings there - should be some 40 with height of 12 and more floors.
Further end of this district - Rumbula - was Soviet military area, airfield. It is planned to conserve the airfield fo civil needs but nearer to the main road Riga city plans 300 ha large district with residential buildings.
Riga City announced tender on architecture and there were received several proposals. Now there is ongoing elaboration of detailed design and the construction of the new district will start in year 2005.
As says newspaper "Diena" - "High buildings would be built on area of 30 ha. While nearer to Daugava river would be located 5 - 12-floor residentials, along Maskavas Street would be built a group of high round apartment skyscrapers."
I can not find any designs unfortunately...
...Sorry about posting such raw things - hope soon will get more info.

UNESCO wants to stop the construction of any highrises in central part of Riga
The draft decision of UNESCO World Heritage Committee about the historical centre of Riga is requiring to stop any projects of highrises in historical centre of Riga and near it.
From 28th June till 7th July in Suczhou, China, takes part 28th session of UNESCo World Heritage Committee. It is planned to take decision about Riga there as well.
The draft decision is very vague and broadly defined but in general it states, that any construction activities in Riga Historical centre should form visual unity of Riga centre and the public should have free access to the water area around the historical centre. (Thus far I fully agree).
Until the 5th February 2005 Latvia should prepare report about the ongoing development in Riga historical centre, uncluding the construction activities near large waterbodies around the centre.
Construction of any highrises near Daugava river, near World Heritage site are not suitable for such flatland city as Riga. Committee asks Latvia to revise its plans to develop any highrises in Kipsala and its vicinities.
_
All this thing makes me very sceptical about the goals of UNESCO World Heritage program.
- 1st - they consider that building of highrises near WH monuments is something bad irrespective of the quality of these highrises and their visual impact (no-impact) on the sights of the historical centre.
- 2nd - they start to interfere in crucial development issues of Latvian capital city outside the WH monument area.
- 3rd - they do not say a single word about the real problems of Riga Historical Centre. Seems, they do not notice the disturbing "Stockmann" building and some more recent ugly buildings, the disappearance of extremely valuable Baroque and Art Nouveau wooden architecture inside the WH monument (recently announced - two valuable wooden buildings to be removed).

Who needs this UNESCO program, if it does not do its direct work but something else?

"Reval Hotel Latvia" to become the largest in Baltics
In these days the management of "Reval Hotel Latvia" have made public their plans for extension. It is planned to invest in this extension some 20 mio EUR.
After the extension hotel will have 600 accomodations. There will be built new 6-floor building next to existing highrise, there will be built also multifunctional 1000-seat conference center. Total area of new premises - 24 000 m3.
Building works will be started in October 2004 and completed until April 2006.
In 2006 the works will continue to reconstruct ornate Art Nouveau building.
Design to my mind looks a bit old-styled, as if from 1995, but OK, it will be better than the place today.
http://www.apollo.lv/upload/2004-06-30/23436/skats1%20500.jpg
http://www.apollo.lv/upload/2004-06-30/23436/skats5%20500.jpg
http://www.apollo.lv/upload/2004-06-30/23436/DSC01160%20500.jpg

First after-independence commieblock district coming to be ready
http://www.realty.lv/rus/img/news/18687801072004095606.jpg
Riga has been slower than Vilnius and Tallin to build new living quartals. But now times change for the best.
For many years there were standing silent and sad, unfinished commieblocks in Dreilini. Now these are completed and there are built new ones too.
Initially in Dreilini are built 9 blocks with 9 and 10 floors. The first building would be ready in 6th July. There is planned to built administrative buildings (local medial care, police, kindergarden) and shops too. Then will come next 5 buildings.
This district would be owned by Riga itself, there would be no possibility to own the apartments there. But these apartments would be cheap - 0,43 EUR per square meter in month.
The houses are built with time reserve - 125 years.
For many people this is good solution - and new commieblock definitely is better than old.

Some interesting projects from the past
Very short translation form today's article from local Russian newspaper "Biznes&Baltia":
In 1930ies manager of Riga City Building Bureau - G. Lamze - planned to increase the area of Riga for two times - approximately 400 km2. It was planned to turn Riga into very large garden-city. Unfortunately these plans ended as our local dictator Karlis Ulmanis came at force in 1934 - he did not like these "European" projects.
Still the early projects of traffic routes from 1930ies are still a dream of today.
At the end of 1960ies there appeared new plans about solving the urban problems. It was planned to build additional railway station and to lay the railway under the ground in the centre of Riga (oh, that would be blessing!). There were planned two tunnels under Daugava for cars too.
There were plans to turn Dzirnavu Street in multi-floor highway. (Btw, this is central street with numerous Art Nouveau and other monuments!). To make it there would be needed to demolish all the buildings on one side of the street. Each kind of transportation would have its own floor here. First floor would be for cars but the second - for pedestrians. The same was planned for another Art Nouveau street - Terbatas street. (nowadays it is planned to turn it into pedestrian street).
Deglava street, leading from the centre to the east was planend to be a high-speed road. It would be lovered into earth for 5 meters and the access roads would go above the street. Third floor of the street would be for pedestrians.
Dzirnavu Street project:
http://www.realty.lv/rus/img/news/36650801072004095052.jpg

Building activity in Riga increases
Each day the inspectors in Riga have to approve 7 - 8 newly built or reconstructed buildings. But in the future the amounts of construction will increase considerably.
During the May the city has approved 423 new buildings, reconstructions.

World championship for ice hockey in 2006 to be held in Riga
Today International ice hockey federation announced that Riga will host the world championship in ice-hockey in 2006.
Now we have to build the large arena and the small one too. The large is built at Skanstes Street, Riga. But the smaller one (with 6000 seats) will be built in Riga or in Liepaja. Many more smaller things should be built too.

World championship for ice hockey in 2006 to be held in Riga
Today International ice hockey federation announced that Riga will host the world championship in ice-hockey in 2006.
Now we have to build the large arena and the small one too. The large is built at Skanstes Street, Riga. But the smaller one (with 6000 seats) will be built in Riga or in Liepaja. Many more smaller things should be built too.

Congratulations !!! :cheers1:

I really like hockey :cheers:

It's a pity that in Poland ice-hockey is second cathegory sport :bash:

Gatis: ''a bit old-styled, as if from 1995'' - :lol:

and about the UNESCO opinion..... well i hope everything will work out fine and Riga will still be the skyscraper-capital of the region! ( :

oh, and congrats on the hockey-thing! it must be a great honour for Latvia!

Regarding this remark about "old styled, as if from 1995" - I am fed up a bit with minimalism. Besides - this proposed design is even not too good minimalism to my mind - our central street with its numerous beautiful buildings deserves something better. But they have used the conservative approach, so that their building does not stick out too much. Hope that at least good materials would be used.
Latvian architects have shown very well that they can be more avangardistic - "Saules akmens" - both options of the design, "Smilsu pulkstenis", "RBS Skals" office, "Bowlero" and some more buildings which show many influences of the 21st century style - organic architecture.
_
Ice hockey championship over the last two years has become something like endless scandal with one or another high-ranked person willing to get some bucks out of it. This has been hard fight to get rid of strange foreign construction companies, which had strong support from International Ice Hockey Federation, but the local people did not behave any better. Hopefully the last project build-up decreases the risc of corruption as far as possible.
The builder of the large ice hockey arena btw., is Estonian based company "Merks" (Merko Ehitus) - seems that in 1 - 2 years big share of their turnover would be made in Latvia if their plans about large scale development around Skanstes Street and Lucavsala with numerous highrises will become true.

Elephants to get new, 4 mio EUR worth house in Riga :)
Riga Zoo has started new campaign to build a new house for Indian elephants as the old one was really bad.
The rendering of the new building:
http://www.ltn.lv/~zooinfo/images/projekts.gif
To get the necessary 4 mio EUR for it Zoological gardens have started campaign of donations "Present an elephant to yourselves!"
http://www.ltn.lv/~zooinfo/images/ZAlogo.jpg
The indoor area - 888m2, outdoor area - 5478 m2. Here would be 5 - 7 Indian elephants.
Our elephants meanwhile are living in Netherlands - this was an event when they left Riga and shortly walked in Liepaja before entering the ship!
Elephants are in Riga zoo since 1914.

Currently Riga Zoo has 3000 animals of 470 species, each year visited by some 300 000 people. Construction activities are on-going here all the time.

To keep larger heards of animals in framework of international programs of renovation of nearly extinct animals, there has been opened another zoological garden near Liepaja - "Ciruli". Here in very large meadow is living the largest herd of kiangs - horse-like animals (in nature - practically extinct), here are numerous other animals too.
In total Riga zoo is participating in conservation program of 35 species of endangered animals.
Biggest projects over the last years:
- Large Tropical house - rainforest with a river and lake. Beware - some 10 crocodiles and poisonous frogs!
- New house for Amur tigers;
- New house for small panda;
- Reconstructed house for white bears

and many more

UNESCO says cold "OK" to Kipsala highrise plans

While Lithuanians celebrate inclusion of their third monument in World Heritage list, Estonians wonder why castle of Kuuresaare is not included and Latvians somehow have not managed to get Kuldiga wooden town until the discussions - there was waited another important decision: what would say UNESCO bout the planned development of highrises in Kipsala?
Kipsala is located outside WH monument area - across Daugava river (look my map at Riga highrise encyclopaedia thread). As the new highrise district would be located at waterfront, it will create another competition to Old Riga skyline (can not understand why it is bad...)
http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/v236/lecekte/VisiRigas/_SkatuPunktsPeteraBazn.jpg
First - happily Riga center is not included in the list of endangered monuments. In its decision about Riga UNESCO has expressed regret that the height of 'Saules akmens' (op... - Hansabanka centra building) is not decreased. The new plan of the conservation of WH monument in Riga has been evaluated as very good - in fact the elaboration of this plan has helped to escape the listing of "endangered monument".
UNESCO is not positive about development of highrises in vicinity of historical centre but it does not object it.

In UNESCO seminar representatives of several countries criticised Riga about the plans to build highrises, there were hot debates. representatives of Norway offered "softer" decision, which was accepted finally.

Riga City council in turn thinks that "Saules akmens" is very beautiful building and currently are preparing necessary documentation to apply in European competition about the most beautoful office building.

Unexpectedly the Cathedral of Koln was included in the list of endangered monuments - due to construction of highrises near it... (So say our mass-media - but I can not find the name of Koln on WH List of Endangered monuments)

Riga centre built 60 km from Riga!!!
Currently there is on-going casting of new movie "The Guards of Riga" (made by local company "PlatformaRecords") about the independence fights around Riga in 1918 - 1920. This seems to be the most expensive movie in history of Latvia - and there are promised very cool special effects. Often on our TV there is shown short clip with Old Riga from the air and German airplanes bombarding it.
To create better feel of historical Riga in Tukums district there is built an precise model of numerous historical Riga buildings in real size, here is made even railway. A lot of local people are assisting the team for free, supplying necessary materials.
Unfortunately can not find any pictures... :(

Some more information about Smilsu pulkstenis
Once more news agency "BNS" says that "Smilsu pulkstenis" building would be 35 floors high, total area - approximately 50 000 m2. 15 000 m2 would be used by A class offices, 15 000 - by hotel. Here would be restaurant, bowling, large car park.

New multi-functional centre to be built on Zakusala
http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/v236/lecekte/Centraltirgus-PetB-8jun04.jpg
Developer "Prima S.R." (owners - Norway) is going to announce international tender of design of multifunctional centre to be built on Zakusala, in the space on island between TV tower and bridge. The new centre will use 8 ha. It will include - supermarket (of course), multiplex, office center, car parking, sports club, hotel, conference center. This is also planned to be the largest exhibition centre in this part of Europe.

Some information about the new speedways to be built in Riga
http://www.realty.lv/rus/img/news/90229806072004080759.gif
The size across this map - some 40 km. Unfortunately can not find any better.

Every day some 100 000 people in Riga have to spend time in traffic jams. If the city will not increase again, in 10 - 15 years this should be solved to large extent. But it will increase, I have that feel...
1/3 of the first Eastern speedway has been built already. It is 6 line highway, in many places it would be rised, and in some places there is already rised highway. There will be no crossroads and traffic lights, in some places there would be required to build three-level crossings (Jugla and Slavu tilts near Southern bridge). The designed speed - 90 km, but in reality only 70 km/h would be aloud. To be completed in 2012. This is going to be the central transit road of the city, some 30 km long.
And... there would be needed to demolish rather many ugly commieblocks in Plavnieki, some highrise buildings including!
Costs - some 160 mio EUR.

Western Roundabout currently is least planned of the new roads. Most likely there would be needed to place it under the ground in Kipsala highrise district and central part of city. No costs assessed yet.

Southern bridge will be started in one - two months. Its total costs with all the access roads - some 250 mio EUR, but the bridge itself - some 150 mio EUR.

Zemgale bridge across Daugava near the railway bridge in center - to be built until 2016, but most likely earlier. Costs - 30 mio EUR.

Northern Tunnel under Daugava in harbour area - length 1,29 km. As the sight on the development of the city has changed over the last years, it will be redesigned most likely.

Without the assistance of EU in nearest future - impossible to cover these costs...

good news :) seems that smilstu pulksenis will be tall... 35 floors.. nice! Riga... your growing FAST!

Not growing yet - today you do not see constuction cranes in central part of Riga. But there will be a forest of them in 2004 - 2005!!!

and that forest... will beat vilnius and tallinn..by the way... who are the investors? besides EU :) :)

Investors? Different.
- Smilsu pulkstenis - not clear whether the company (Valdo) is Latvian or Lithuanian, but the income for investments is made in both countries.
- A lot would be invested by municipality in living apartments - with attraction of private capital too. Two especially large residential development areas inside Riga - Kleisti and Rumbula, each plans to have some 10 000 inhabitants.
- Saliena town (yesterday they officially placed the shields with the names of new town at the roadside) is built by a local people, registered in Great Britain;
- municipality + state + EU - speedways, bridges, tunnels.
- "Skaistie skati" highrise - seems, that Italian
- Kliversala highrises - ProKapital, Italians;
- Skanste Street development area - Merks (Estonian based MerkoEhitus) + municipality + state;
- Lucavsala development area - Merks and should be some more;
- Zakusala multi-functional center - Norvegians + local companies
- Hotel "Reval Latvia" - profit made locally, but the company owned by Scandinavians
- Parkhaus highrises - Latvians + Russians (Dekra)
- Vestas stari highrises - finally one genuine local company VestaBalt.
- Citra New Old City - local company;
- "Soho" quartal development - local company.
Of course, I forgot something...

You see that local developers here are not that active contrary to Estonia (Merko Ehitus) and Lithuania (Hanner). But somehow at the end when everything is built and running - who cares? Like with our Hansabanka office or company Merks - which are Estonian but as well could be considered Latvian here, with local people working there and taking care about local interests, architectural values etc.

ermm...prokapital estonian based... i think... www.prokapital.ee

Yeah, that's their head office. But it is Italian capital and today main activities take place in Riga.

hmm ok... thanks :)

http://www.prokapital.ee/prokapital.html

5 new projects is tallinn, 6 in riga, 1 in lithuania
8 completed tln, 5 riga, 1 lithuania
so i dont know...

Yec, @ch1le, you are right. I looked at their Webpage more and they have both more projects in Tallinn and more investments planned.
Do not know why they say about Kliversala in Webpage - planned investment around 40 mio EUR, and meanwhile announce in Latvia, that it will need 180 mio EUR?

Riga is going to announce international tender for low-floor trams
Riga City authorities are busy preparing documents for purchase of low floor trams, first expected in 2006. They will run in route No. 6 (currently many parts of this route are reconstructed). As you may know, one of expected participants in this tender - local factory RVR.
Currently on-going also planning of the new routes for street tram (to be cunstructed not earlier than in 2015), as well as reconstruction of the existing ones and their infrastructure (to be made until 2015).
Since 2007 there will be attracted EU funds for further development of street trams in Riga.

Necessary investments until 2015 - 230 mio EUR.

Currently Riga has got 252 trams running, their medium age - 21 years.

whoa... plz keep me informed with these news..i hope our city will take notice!

I'm happy to hear about UNESCO's 'go' for Kipsala highrises :)

"Gaismas pils" has become cheaper and smaller
As our Ministry of Culture has started crusade to build our National Library as fast as possible, often appear articles telling different aspects of this project.
http://www.castleoflight.lv/saturs/arch/arch_img/skices/4p-08iz.jpg
Turns out that initial planned costs of this 12floor building were 105 mio LVL (some 160 mio EUR) but now these are decreased. Now the planned costs are "only" 120 mio EUR.
The area of the building initially was planned to have 77 000 m2 space. In 2002 the draft design has been made once again and as a result it is only 45 000 m2. It is planned that approximately 1 mio books would be stored in one of Riga satellite cities. But the outer looks of the building have not been much changed.
http://www.lnbaf.lv/lat/images/256_biblioteka.jpg
What is happening today? There is purchased the land in these quartals. I noticed that one simple functionalism style building with 3 floors was demolished last week - this should be one of the purchased land plots.

Project includes also creation of high-end joint information system in all Latvian libraries - "Network of the Light", it is realised from 2003 to 2007, costs - 20 mio EUR. As a part this project there is also planned to introduce united readers card - if you are member of library in country library, you have full access to any library in Latvia.

Most likely the building would be built until 2008. I am tired of this waiting...
What means "Gaismas pils"? "Castle of light"

nevertheless its a very beutiful building!

I don't really "understand" how it'll look in reality from that rendering but I think that I like it :) - very unusual and interesting.

Damn.....
Well, but as ch1le said, it's still a beautiful building:)

@Edd - it will look like this:
http://www.km.gov.lv/UI/ImageBinary.asp?imageid=1773
http://www.lnbaf.lv/lat/images/1482_lnb-eka.jpg
It will be located at Daugava opposite the Old town. Height - 66 meters

hhehe i noticed a cool thing, since im a snowboarder, skater and fan of extremesports, i noticed that the building is excellent for riding down :) and that ramp in the end.. wow.

ok just kidding,
i do love its design! Landmark building!

@ch1le - you should know why the building is like this and - its design really has something to do with the skating :)
Our most revered author - Rainis wrote an screenplay "Golden Horse" after folk tales.
Among other thinks it tells the following - somewhere high in glass mountain in eternal sleep lies princess, guarded by seven crows. She would be awakened by a brave man, who would manage to go up this mountain.
As always - three brothers tried to do this as well. One was warrior type, second - "new rich" type and the third - somewhat naive idealist. First two failed but the third got more support from the higher forces and managed to climb the mountain with the golden horse.

The same is about the knowledge - if you use it to defeat other and rise above others - you will fail or simply would not see the final goals. Thats one of the phylosophical meanings brought by the shape of this building as I see it :) Another - this building would be a kind of keeper of DNS of our nation - our cultural values. In the top there would be located simple room with small bookshelf in the middle. This bookshelf will have all (more than million) the Latvian folksongs written on small papers - those folksongs form our identity.
http://www.castleoflight.lv/saturs/arch/arch_img/bi_lnb/zz_vaks.jpg
http://www.castleoflight.lv/saturs/arch/arch_img/bi_lnb/stikla_k.jpg

I dont like that library building.
Its too bulky.
Also the colours and those windows...... Looks like something from the 60s.

@blimey - in reality it is from 1980ies - pure postmodern style. Only our politicians have been very very slow to realise it. Thus we will get postmodern building well into 21st century...

why dont you change the design?

Thanks for those renderings, maybe it looks like a building from 1980ies and it's "bulky" but I still like it.

"why dont you change the design?"
Good designs can be old but can not be outdated. Any style has good examples and bad ones. Postmodernism has been very much criticised by academic architects and also general people - but this style has brought numerous fine buildings, it has been much better to my mind than the boring, boxy 60ies - 70ies.

This building is considered to be good. Public opinion polls in Latvia show that most people like it although there are fierce opponents, including some architects. I like it myself, although I would not say that I am totally in love with it. It is rather bulky - currently the centre of Riga does not have that massive buildings, only Central Market and Saules akmens could have similar visual "size". But in future this district will have more huge buildings. You see National Library in upper picture here - leftmost building.
http://photos.heremy.com/knaabis8/14607610525.jpg
The needs of library require very large building and very well lighted - this design provides it.
It would be very very interesting to see it in real life to judge whether it is too large of not. Btw. initially I hated the design of "Saules akmens" myself - it seemed to be too "artificial" and definitely too large. Now it seems to me different.

Btw speaking about postmodernism - Riga has got rather many buildings in this style. One of the best examples - "Valdemara centrs" (~ year 2000) - it fits quite well in middle of Art Nouveau buildings:
http://www.merko.lv/objekti/images/prevs/prev2.jpg

Thanks for the info gatis.
Now that you explained it it doesnt seem that bad although imho they could still come up with something more modern and impressive.

Yec, @ch1le, you are right. I looked at their Webpage more and they have both more projects in Tallinn and more investments planned.
Do not know why they say about Kliversala in Webpage - planned investment around 40 mio EUR, and meanwhile announce in Latvia, that it will need 180 mio EUR?


hmm i checked my mailbox(i get real estate news) and humm it says 180 mio eur too.... Kliversala area will include office spaces, residential and maybe some high-class hotels, the area is 5.7 hectares, Prokapital plans to build it in several stages over 7-8 years, the first stage will include the renovation of an old soviet-era building and building one of the 2 24 storey buildings(as you stated before)! :cheers:

Northern ferry to start around New year

http://www.realestate.lv/imgs/map/riga_map.gif
Looking at this map (do not look at the colours this time :) you see that Riga continues to the north, where Daugava reaches the sea. There is no bridge and no hope to have bridge or tunnell in nearest decade.
Riga City has decided that the best solution here is ferry. Necessary investments - some 5 mio EUR to build the parking (or how it is called), access roads, to purchase ferries.
The ferry will bring some 60 cars, it will take 10 - 15 minutes to cross Daugava here, ferry will depart each 15 minutes. Today going from Vecmilgravis district in one side to Bolderaja in other side will take 1,5 hours through traffic jam in the centre of city.

City authorities hope that ferry will start running around New Year.

City will support the project due to the following reasons: 1) to decrease the problems in centre; 2) to improve the harbour services 3) to boost the shipping business in Riga in hope to improve the public transportation via water. There are plans in this respect here too. Currently the water transport is rather weak in Riga - just one rather irregular line to Kisezers - but whole Riga metropolis could be served with water transport!

I dont like that library building.
Its too bulky.
Also the colours and those windows...... Looks like something from the 60s.

regarding our natinal library. i think your negative emotions are because of lumpish detailing - all the classicism style windows, plaster planes with unconvincing colour, etc.

likewise, i think the pictures published by gatis is not a good example of architectural rendering. i think that detailing should be improved (let's take as an example of some toyo ito buildings) - if you change outer planes to sensitive glass (choice of glass in "saules akmens" or new latvian bank are good examples) and make other sensitive details you can get one of the most beautiful, stylish and modern buildings in whole europe. because the volume itself, the metaphora, and its positioning to river daugava in my opinion is excellent.

these are the questions to be solved in the forthcoming design process. gunars birkerts is a great master. so i hope it will be ok!

@zigurds: Welcome! :)

Welcome zigurds :wave:

As for National Library, I must agree with blimey ;)

wow zigurds.. awesome another latvian! they arent much represented here, but Gatis has done excellent on presenting Latvia to us, noone could have done a better job!

welcome!

Welcome zigurds :)
Nice to see more Latvians in here.

This is vacation time, just few articles tell something new about construction in Riga. But something is on-going all the time... only I have too little time to report on it to you.

Some months have passed since announcement of Kipsala highrise plans and more analytical articles appear.
Riga City newspaper "Rigas Balss" today has published an article with hostile heading but interesting content. Some things translated:
- Highrises are not only show-off of municipalities, constructors and private developers. They make skyline more rich. Highrises provide economically sound development solution in places where the demand for housing and office is extremely high but the land is especially expensive and there is little space for buildings.
- "Ober-Haus" experts say: If we take into account these arguments and look at current situation - Kipsala will NOT have district of highrises in near future. Currently Riga does not have lack of free land, there is no high demand for large office spaces.
- In rather near future the situation might change. Theoretically in the next 5 - 10 years the business opinion might select Kipsala as suitable place for their development. But this will happen only it there would be solved the problems with the logistics of transportation and other infrastructure issues.
- Most likely in near future several highrise buildings in Kipsala would be apartments, not offices. Many potential clients would like the sight from windows over Daugava on Old Town.
- Andris Kronbergs, company " Arhis" (have elaborated current Kipsala highrise district vision) says: citizens of Riga should discuss the place where the new architecture should be located and what should be the forms of the new buildings. Otherwise public will feel fooled.
- Riga City Council agrees that discussion is needed (in fact Riga is actively organising it to my mind!) and each highrise building should have period of public discussion (this ir written in legislation, btw!). City is interested in attraction of large private investments in highrises - but not because of show-off. Main gain from highrise district would be more taxes collected and increased amount of working places.
- Riga city officials see one more task in this respect - it will closely follow the process to avoid any tasteless buildings in future.

Btw. I personally see that at least one highrise hotel will have very good opportunities in Kipsala. Riga always has had a lack of hotel space, but this summer the situation is absolutely desperate. "Hilton", where are you?

I have been writing about Riga manor houses before.
In short: in late medieval times - early industrial times Riga had many wealthy citizens. They had their apartments somewhere in Old Riga. But on weekends they wanted to have parties with friends outside the city. Over the time these people built more than 40 fine, small manor houses in vicinities of Old Riga - some 1 - 8 km away. These buildings were of wood (not due to the lack of money - simply wooden buildings were valued higher), quite ornate. Around them there were built supplemetary buildings, developed parks, made waterbodies. These manorhouses to some extent developed the style of Riga suburbs - ornate Barocco and Classicism wooden architecture with a LOTS of flowers. Sad that it is not like this anymore. Today nearly all these manorhouses are inside Riga. Many of these manor houses are gone, but some 20 - 30 at least exist.
In Latvian these manor houses in Riga are called "muižiņa" instead of "muiža" - something like "manorlet" instead of "manor".
Here you see the manorhouse Solitude depicted in 1785 - I just scanned it for you ;) Today it does not exist, just ugly commieblocks.
http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/v236/lecekte/Broce/Solitude.jpg
Some more manor houses from other parts of Riga:
Causeway among two manorhouses in presentday University Botanical gardens. In Botanical gardens there have survived three Barocco and Classicism manorhouses - all called Wolfsmidt manorhouses. Botanical gardens today are surrounded by commieblocks... You do not see commieblocks at the end of this causeway... but there is 12floor building.
http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/v236/lecekte/VolfsmAleja.jpg
Another, small one near the tropical house:
http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/v236/lecekte/Volfsm_maza.jpg
Classicism style, the newest of Wolfsmidt manors:
http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/v236/lecekte/VolfsimtaKolonn.jpg
http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/v236/lecekte/Volfsmita.jpg
Pale manor near Jugla lake:
http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/v236/lecekte/Pales.jpg

In last weeks there was discovered one more of these manor houses - in Marupe, Kantora Street 10. Called Bierini manor. Local people did not know that this building has long history. Now Cultural Heritage Inspection is investigating it and considering whether to include in list of monuments. Btw. new monuments of culture are discovered in Riga from time to time. F.e. last year one of the small wooden buildings in Kipsala northern part turned out to be built in 18th century from trees, flooded by Daugava river from present day Russia. It was quite popular for released Russian and Belorussian countryside people to go and look for fortune to Riga with wooden rafts. They sold the wood in Riga and had some start capital to look for other opportunities in this city.