RIGA WATCHES RARE SOLAR ECLIPSE
The 12 August partial solar eclipse covered 84% of the Sun’s diameter at its peak in Riga. Residents and visitors watched the phenomenon from open locations across the city — Akmens tilts, AB dambis, the Ķīpsala waterfront, Lucavsala and Mangaļsalas mols, as well as terraces and seaside spots. The eclipse reached its maximum at 20:57.
Source: N+
ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABILITY & CLIMATE
RIGA PLANS TO REFORM WATER TRANSPORT AND PIER SYSTEM
All municipal piers would be brought under a single management system and classified as transport infrastructure. Three types are proposed — for regular passenger services, long-term use and short-term docking. The Mobilly app could be used to book and pay for short-term docking.
Source: Riga City Council
TRANSPORT & INFRASTRUCTURE
€13M TENNIS AND PADEL CENTRE TAKES SHAPE IN PIŅĶI
Named after tennis player Ernests Gulbis, the complex will feature 16 indoor courts — six for tennis and 10 for padel — plus five outdoor tennis courts. The 9,195 m² centre will also include gyms, physiotherapy facilities, saunas and recovery areas. The project is financed by Bigbank.
Source: Bigbank
PROJECTS
ROCKET BEAN OPENS NEW €2.5M ROASTERY
The new production facility at Brīvības gatve 201 k-4, Riga, will significantly increase the company’s capacity for both Latvian and export markets. The roastery features modern technology allowing greater control over the coffee roasting process. The project was developed with support from the EU Recovery Fund.
Source: Rocket Bean
PROJECTS
RIGA’S ART NOUVEAU STREETS GO CAR-FREE
From 14 August to 20 September, Alberta iela and part of Antonijas iela will be closed to through traffic from Friday evening until Sunday midnight. Cafés and restaurants will be able to expand their terraces, while lighting, flags and flowers will be added to the public space.
Source: Riga City Council
URBAN DEVELOPMENT
FIRST ARENA GARDEN TOWERS BUILDING COMPLETED
The 13-storey building includes 84 apartments, with more than 90% already reserved. It is the tallest residential building completed on Riga’s right bank in the past decade. The project is also Latvia’s first apartment building to use energy thermo-pile technology. Construction of the second building is already more than 60% complete.
Source: Merko mājas
PROJECTS
BALTICOVO PLANS €180M POULTRY COMPLEX IN LITHUANIA
The project in the Vilkaviškis district will include 12 poultry houses, each designed for 66,000 birds. Investment will also cover egg processing and packaging facilities and a biomethane plant. The development is being planned by Balticovo-owned Lit Egg.
Source: LETA–ELTA
NEWS
39% OF LATVIANS LIVE IN OVERCROWDED HOMES
Housing costs exceed 40% of income for only 5.7% of residents, one of the lowest rates in the EU. However, 39% of Latvia’s population lives in overcrowded housing, compared with around 17% across the EU. Home ownership in Latvia stands at 83%.
Source: Eurostat / Citadele
DATA
ONE IN TEN MORTGAGE APPLICATIONS REJECTED OVER CREDIT HISTORY
Around 10% of housing loan applications are rejected at the initial assessment stage. Repeated or prolonged late payments are among the main reasons. Credit history can affect not only loan approval but also the interest rate, loan amount and repayment term.
Source: Luminor
DATA
€25M YEAR-ROUND OUTDOOR SWIMMING COMPLEX PLANNED IN TALLINN
The Allas project on the Kalasadama waterfront has received a building permit. The complex will operate year-round, following a concept already successfully introduced in Helsinki. The project is being developed by Kapitel and Finland’s Nordic Urban, which will also operate the centre.
Source: Kapitel
PROJECTS
€17M VALDOVŲ REZIDENCIJA NEARS COMPLETION IN VILNIUS
The development near the Old Town will feature just 19 premium apartments ranging from 46 to 263 m². Prices start at €6,600/m², while private terraces reach up to 105 m². The first residents are expected to move in this autumn.
Source: Aternus
PROJECTS
