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SRE: Foundations have been laid for the Performing Arts Decoration Workshops and Rehearsal Hall Complex

21.03.2022
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“In March, active construction works were started on the Latvian National Opera and Ballet (LNOB) Performing Arts Decoration Workshops and Rehearsal Hall Complex in Riga, 2 Meirānu iela. This is one of the territories where State Real Estate (SRE) is implementing revitalization projects, opening new investment and public space opportunities, and at the same time putting in order environmentally degrading buildings,” reveals Renārs Griškevičs, Chairman of the Board of SRE.

Alongside the industrial district, where several environmentally degrading buildings have been located for a long time, SRE will set up LNOB performing arts decoration workshops, organize and improve the socio-economic environment of Šķirotava, which could potentially attract more private investment, as well as create new opportunities for residents. The number of visitors to the new complex and LNOB employees is planned for the traffic of 100 people, providing a comfortable and safe environment for everyone.

The necessary dismantling works have already been carried out in the new LNOB Performing Arts Decoration Workshops and Rehearsal Hall Complex. Reconstruction works of two warehouse buildings totalling 1961 m2 have been started. Land preparation works are nearing completion, so that already in the spring it will be possible to fully lay the foundations in the place where at the end of 2023 the new building of the Performing Arts Decoration Workshops and Rehearsal Hall Complex will be located in an area of 3336.2 m2, as well as a new 904 m2 warehouse. In the near future, engineering network construction works will be carried out, among them, JSC Rīgas Siltums will start construction of the heating mains supply.

"Currently, the construction industry is not without challenges. They are linked to both rising costs of building materials and the availability of workforce, as well as materials. However, construction work does not stop, and we continue to implement various projects of national importance, including in the field of culture. The new LNOB Performing Arts Decoration Workshops and Rehearsal Hall complex is one of several projects implemented by the SRE significant to the culture of Latvia and planned to be completed within the next few years,” R. Griškevičs points out.

"The Latvian National Opera and Ballet is delighted that the new project is turning into reality. The once planned 3rd construction phase of the Latvian National Opera was not implemented, but the Performing Arts Decoration Workshops and Rehearsal Hall Complex will provide vitally needed practice rooms for Latvian National Opera and Ballet artists, as well as allow expansion of the offer for the audience and improve working conditions for decorators,” tells Sandis Voldiņš, Member of the Board of LNOB.

Simultaneously with the establishment of the LNOB decoration workshops and rehearsal hall complex, SRE is carrying out the establishment of two more creative quarters - the quarter of the Tobacco Factory will be built on Miera iela, which in the 1st stage will be developed for the needs of the Latvian Academy of Culture and the Creative Industries Business Incubator, while the reconstruction of the former Riga Light Industry Technical School building in Riga, A. Briāna iela 13, modern prototyping workshops “Riga Makerspace” will be developed for the needs of the Riga Art and Design Secondary School and the Art Academy of Latvia.

It is planned to deliver all three projects for their creative development to the public in the suburbs of Riga by the end of 2023. These projects are financed from the European Regional Development Fund resources attracted by the Ministry of Culture under the specific support objective 5.6.1. “To promote the revitalisation of the City of Riga, ensuring the efficient socio-economic use of the territory” and the state budget.

SRE currently continues works on 54 different construction sites of national importance, with a total project budget of 223 million euros. SRE provides professional real estate management and administration for approximately 400 real estate properties with 1100 buildings and 1.02 million square metres of space, and more than 3600 land properties of 9.6 million square metres. The company was founded in 1996 and is 100% owned by the Ministry of Finance.