The plant brought together engineer Oskar von Miller and architect Kārlis Felsko, who had earlier designed the largest gas storage tank on Matīsa iela. Blending Jugendstil influences with engineering ambition, the station not only illuminated Riga’s streets but also drove the city’s fast-growing tram network.
Severely damaged during the Second World War, the building was rebuilt and expanded to supply both electricity and heat. It remained in operation for nearly a century before being fully decommissioned on 31 March 2004.
After its closure, the complex fell into disuse, becoming a symbol of lost industrial grandeur. Even so, its strong architectural character and unique setting on the Daugava preserved immense potential for reinterpretation and adaptive reuse.
Today the site is entering a new chapter. As part of the large-scale Riga Waterfront project, it is being transformed into The Powerhouse: a public, cultural and commercial hub where the city’s past is seamlessly woven into its future.
We have previously covered the Riga Waterfront project in detail.
Layout and amenities
The Powerhouse combines the careful reconstruction of the former power station with the creation of contemporary public spaces. The plan includes shops, cafés and restaurants, along with promenades, leisure areas and outdoor event venues. By preserving and restoring the station’s towers and signature elements, the project builds a bridge between past and future, offering a distinctly modern place to gather.
Connectivity
With a location that is easy to reach by public transport and on foot from central Riga, The Powerhouse is set to fit naturally into Andrejsala’s new life. It will offer a wide choice of retail, cafés and other leisure spaces designed for visitors of all ages.
Architecture
The project retains the building’s authentic historic character, pairing its industrial heritage with contemporary architectural solutions. The tower, brick façades, arched openings and robust chimneys will be restored and integrated into a new functional ensemble. The architecture will emphasise the original structure’s verticality and scale, while adding transparent elements, terraces and light-filled interiors—opening the complex to the riverfront and its daily life.
Project team
The Powerhouse is being delivered by Eagle Hills, an international developer known for large-scale urban projects across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.
The architectural concept and adaptive reuse of the historic building are led by Latvian architect Vilnis Fricis, who will prioritise preserving the site’s industrial character while reinterpreting its functions for contemporary urban life.
The Powerhouse forms part of the broader Riga Waterfront development, which is transforming Andrejsala into a new city quarter with residential, cultural and public spaces. Given the building’s heritage status, the project is being coordinated in dialogue with Riga’s municipal authorities and the relevant heritage agencies.
