White and ARHIS winners of the architectural competition for the Kimmel quarter
White Architects and ARHIS arhitekti have been named winners of Eastnine's architectural competition for a new vision for the Kimmel quarter in Riga. All new construction in Riga's historic center presupposes an architectural competition that is open to everyone. The international jury included representatives with different backgrounds, from different countries.
Eastine's vision for the architectural sketch design competition was to transform the former Kimmel Riga brewery into a new central meeting point with, not only offices but also, cafés, restaurants, shops, culture and green spaces. The quarter will be a pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly meeting place, include green areas and involve minimal transport.
The proposal "Revitalizing Kimmel Quarter" by White Arkitekter (Sweden) and ARHIS arhitekti (Latvia) was named winner. The architects propose a holistic and circular transformation of the site of the former Kimmel brewery into a lively public destination with inspiring offices. By showing sustainable construction and property development in a visible and central place, the project also paves the way for a more sustainable future. Offices are located in the newly built parts, while the public program is located in the historic buildings. Old and new meet in a vertical conservatory in the heart of the neighborhood and Kimmel becomes a new living room for Riga.
The proposal “Spaces & Places” by RUUME arhitekti, Dāvis Gasuls, K Forma (Latvia) was named second prize winner and the proposal “Stabu 1” by SARMA & NORDE arhitekti (Latvia) as third prize winner. A total of twelve architectural visions were received. Proposal “The Brewery Forest” by Zaha Hadid (UK) and proposal “KEB485” by OZOLA & BULA, arhitektu birojs (Latvia) both received incentive prizes.
After announcing the winners of the competition, Eastnine will invite winners to a negotiation with a view to concluding an agreement for the preparation of the design.
The international jury included 13 members from different countries and with different backgrounds, mostly architects, including representatives of the National Cultural Heritage Board, Riga Construction Board, Riga Municipal Agency and Riga City Architect's Office.
Eastnine acquired the strategically located plot of a total of 11,500 sq.m. in central Riga in 2019. The property, that originally housed the Kimmel brewery, forms almost an entire quarter along the main street Krisjana Valdemara. The property contains a development potential of almost 38,000 sq.m., of which approximately 34,000 sq.m. is new production.
Eastnine AB (publ)
For more information contact:
Kestutis Sasnauskas, CEO, +46 8 505 97 700
Britt-Marie Nyman, CFO and Deputy CEO, +46 70 224 29 35
Natalija Monkeviciene, Head of Business development, +370 659 37 951
Visit www.eastnine.com
Eastnine AB is a Swedish real estate company with a property value of EUR 374m and a long-term net asset value of EUR 329m as of 31 March 2021. Eastnine’s vision is to create and provide prime venues where ideas can flow, people can meet, and successful business can be developed. The mission is that Eastnine shall be the leading long-term provider of modern and sustainable office and logistics premises in prime locations in the Baltics. Eastnine is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm Mid Cap, sector Real Estate.
