The project for the new office center was the result of a competition: in November 2021 the winner was selected from six projects—a joint proposal from the L.SN consortium: the teams of Lauder Architects and Sarma&Norde.
Important criteria in assessing applications were the innovation and originality of the architectural idea, the quality of the public space, the accessibility and the benefits that the neighborhood could bring to the city, the architectural compatibility with existing infrastructure, the response to the cultural context and the degree of integration into the urban fabric.
Layouts and Amenities
The future office complex will consist of five interconnected buildings, including one historic building. Another non-residential building was planned to be included in the complex, but it collapsed during the start of construction works in spring 2023.
The total area of all 5 buildings of the business centre will be approximately 12,000 m². And the footprint is approximately 1,460 m². The main building of Satekles Business Centre will have 7 floors. There will also be one underground level in the complex.
The project involves a deliberate variety of light-coloured facades to ensure that the new neighbourhood fits into the urban fabric. The development includes spacious outdoor green areas at ground level and on the roof. Some of these will be publicly accessible.
The offices on different floors are arranged around a central atrium. The main entrance from Elizabetes Street will lead to a two-storey lobby with reception and conference rooms.
Infrastructure
The quarter in which the complex is located captures the edge of the historic city centre near the railway ring. At the same time, it is an important site next to the renovated Central Station: after the launch of Rail Baltica, the flow of people in the surrounding areas will increase.
The central position of the new business center makes it accessible to pedestrians and users of various modes of transport—personal and public. Once the Satekles Business Centre is in place, the territory of the new neighborhood will remain permeable: the neighborhood includes a passable courtyard connecting Ernesta Birznieka-Upīša and Satekles streets, as well as free passage through the ground floors of the buildings, which is important in a city with cold winters and frequent precipitation.
Energy Efficiency
The office centre is rated A for energy efficiency – the developer is aiming for the BREEAM “New Construction—Outstanding” mark. This means that progressive technologies and materials are used during construction, and the interior space is planned to be pleasant for employees and visitors to the centre.
Project Team
The developer of the project is Linstow Baltic, which has been building shopping centres, offices and hotels in the Baltics for many years.
The center is being built according to the project of the consortium L.SN: Lauder Architects and Sarma&Norde teams. Bukoteks is the general contractor.
The anchor tenant of Satekles Business Centre will be SEB Latvia Bank—the company’s head office will move here.
