RĪGA OPENS 2026 SWIMMING SEASON AT NINE CITY BEACHES
On 19 May, Rīgas valstspilsētas pašvaldības policija officially opens the swimming season at all nine city beaches, starting at Lucavsalas līča peldvieta. Lifeguards are now on duty at locations including Vecāķi, Vakarbuļļi, Ķīpsala, Rumbula, Bābelīša ezers, and Ķīšezers. The season runs through the summer months.
NEWS
LARGEST CRUISE SHIP IN PORT HISTORY VISITS RĪGA
TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff Relax docked at Krievu salas piestātnes on 22 May—the largest cruise ship ever to call at Rīgas osta. The 333-metre, 19-deck liner brought around 4,000 passengers and 1,000 crew on its first visit to Rīga. The ship will return three more times this season.
NEWS
BONAVA LATVIJA COMPLETES FIRST BUILDING OF HARTMAŅA KVARTĀLS IN TORŅAKALNS
A €7 million six-storey building with 72 apartments at Jelgavas iela 51 is commissioned as the first phase of Hartmaņa kvartāls, built on a former oil press site. Keys are handed over this summer. Phase two — two buildings with 120 apartments — is already under construction, with completion planned for autumn 2027.
PROJECT
VECMĪLGRĀVIS COMMUNITY RESTORES BELOVED MŪSU OSTAS SĒTA ART INSTALLATION
For 15 years, a half-kilometre stretch of Rīgas osta’s fence on Meldru iela in Vecmīlgrāvis has displayed large-format murals created by local youth. Last weekend around 100 participants gathered to repaint the first 27 sections, using over 50 litres of paint. The project has been running since 2011 with support from Rīgas osta.
NEWS
RAIL BALTICA WORKS BRING TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS NEAR RĪGAS CENTRĀLĀ STACIJA
Landscaping works on the southern forecourt of Rīgas Centrālā stacija affects Emīlijas Benjamiņas iela between Satiksmes ministrija and Stacijas laukums from18 May to 30 July. Traffic runs on one lane toward the centre, the bus stop is relocated, and pedestrians use a temporary fenced corridor.
TRANSPORT & INFRASTRUCTURE
LATVIA ACCEPTS APPLICATIONS FOR MOST ENERGY-EFFICIENT BUILDING 2026
Ekonomikas ministrija invites submissions for the annual Energoefektīvākā ēka Latvijā competition until 18 June. Open to residential, public, and commercial buildings completed or renovated after 2010, the contest recognises outstanding energy efficiency across five categories. Winners will be announced at a ceremony in autumn 2026.
NEWS
FACADE RESTORATION BEGINS ON RĪGA’S ICONIC KAĶU MĀJA IN VECRĪGA
Valsts nekustamie īpašumi starts a €650,000 facade restoration of Kaķu māja at Meistaru iela 10 in Vecrīga, carried out in three phases until October. Works cover facades facing Mazā Smilšu iela, Meistaru iela, and Zirgu iela, along with roof replacement and partial window restoration.
NEWS
SEB BALTICS HEADQUARTERS BREAKS GROUND AT TALSINKI QUARTER IN TALLINN
US Real Estate lays the cornerstone of Ahtri 3, the first building of Talsinki—a large mixed-use quarter in Tallinn. SEB Bank will relocate its Baltic headquarters there. Designed by Arhitekt11 and built by Bildgren Ehitus, the LEED Platinum-certified complex is due for completion in stages between 2028 and 2029.
PROJECT
