SIA “Kvinta BCL” was the winner in the procurement of SJSC State Real Estate (SRE) for the renovation of the Daile Theatre territory; an agreement has been concluded with this company for 1 495 009.46 euros without VAT. The forecourt of the Daile Theatre will be renovated implementing the idea of the architects “MADE arhitekti”, which won the design competition. Construction works are planned to start this autumn and to be completed by autumn of 2022, informs Renārs Griškevičs, Chairman of the Board of SRE.
The forecourt near Daile Theatre is the property of both the state and the municipality. The part of the theatre forecourt on the side of Bruņinieku Street and on the side of Brīvības Street up to the theatre ticket stands is managed by SRE, but the remaining part on the side of Brīvības Street - from the ticket stands to Matīsa Street - is owned by Riga Municipality. In the course of the project, the theatre's forecourt will become accessible to citizens, ensuring a high-quality public space and expanding the green area of the territory - new trees will be planted, benches and lanterns will be installed, creating yet another developed space for the wellbeing of residents. SRE has taken the initiative for the joint implementation of the project.
The renovation of the forecourt will take place in 3 stages. In the first stage, the pavement of the forecourt will be restored in both the state and municipal part, external low-voltage engineering networks and external power supply engineering networks will be rebuilt, public toilets will be rebuilt, amenities and greenery will be installed, external lighting will be replaced and digital screens will be installed. In the second stage, the parking area and utility yard will be arranged, in the 3rd stage - the territory of Daile Theatre along Bruņinieku Street.
In 2019, the design competition ended, where the idea of the architectural office “MADE arhitekti” was recognised as the best of 8 submitted projects for the arrangement, but it took a long time for a detailed evaluation and approval of the design plan by the city construction board. Only in 2021, did Riga City Construction Board make a decision to support the design of the territory, which immediately allowed the carrying out of design works and start of construction procurement.
The project is financed from funding attracted by the Ministry of Culture - European Union funds operational programme “Growth and Employment” priority axis “Environmental protection and resource use efficiency” 5.5.1. the fourth round of selection of project applications for the specific support objective “Preserve, protect and develop significant cultural and natural heritage, as well as develop related services”, “Preservation, restoration of cultural heritage and development of related infrastructure in the territory of the historical centre of Riga” and state budget funding (including Covid-19 funding for stimulating the economy through investment in construction).
The arrangement of Daile Theatre and its surroundings takes place in complexes - starting with the building and continuing with the surrounding territory. Construction work on the energy efficiency of the historic building began last year and is completed while preserving the architecture of the theatre, built in 1976 according to the design of architect Marta Staņa. The exterior walls, stage tower and roofs of the theatre building have been insulated, providing the necessary comfort for both theatre staff and spectators and at the same time significantly reducing electricity and heating costs.
In the conditions of the pandemic, respecting the precautionary and safety requirements, work on 43 different construction sites of national importance with a total project budget of 156 million euros continues under the leadership of SRE. SRE provides professional real estate management and administration for approximately 400 real estate properties with 1100 buildings of 1.02 million square metres and more than 3600 land properties with an area of 9.6 million square metres. SRE was founded in 1996 and its sole (100%) shareholder is the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Latvia.
