By placing a symbolic time capsule containing a message to future generations in the foundations and hosting a unique light installation, Linstow Center Management celebrates the start of construction of the extension of the shopping centre Origo and the construction of the business centre Origo One. The project’s vision entails a more than twofold increase of the current area of Origo, with the first three floors of the new building planned for retail and services, while the top three floors will offer innovative A-class office space Origo One. Total investments in the ambitious project are expected to reach 70 million euros. The construction of the new building is planned to be completed by October 2019.
SIA Linstow Center Management, Chairman of the board, Frode Grønvold comments: “The expanded Origo shopping centre and Origo One business centre will become the catalyst for the transformation of Riga’s most important retail, business and public transportation hub. The idea builds on similar developments around the world, including the transformation of Oslo Central station area where Linstow together with Norwegian Railways, State institutions and private investors have transformed the inner city to the most vibrant and attractive business district in Norway. Riga is now undergoing the same transformation, which will be further enhanced by the Rail Baltica project connecting Origo as a directly embedded part of Riga’s central multimodal public transport hub to the surroundings, including the airport and other Baltic capitals. With this ambitious development Linstow is also entering into the office segment in Latvia.”
The total area of the Origo shopping centre will increase from 35.5 to 80.5 thousand square meters. 34.8 thousand square meters will be allocated for retail and 11.5 thousand square meters will house the business centre Origo One featuring A-class office and business facilities. The construction project also entails extending the underground parking lot to provide space for 250 cars and building spacious and easy accessible bicycle parking places. Construction of the new building will also contribute to the improvement of the city’s infrastructure as the project entails the reconstruction of the intersection of Elizabetes and Satekles streets by constructing a pedestrian crossing and a bicycle lane over the intersection, whilst still maintaining and bettering manoeuvring opportunities for motorized vehicles.
The construction project was spearheaded by SIA Depo Projekts, whose Chairman of the Board Uldis Zanders explains: “This is the historic centre of Riga, a UNESCO Heritage site – a site that imposes additional responsibilities when designing new ideas. You need to be able to create a building with the design and functionality of the future while still respecting its’ surroundings and being able to fit into the context. This delicate balance must be found, and, in our view, we have succeeded in this project. The new building is designed as an extension of the existing Origo shopping centre, featuring the accessibility and architectural design that corresponds to the needs and demands of the future customer.”
Creation of the interior design was entrusted to the Latvian Design Award winning architecture and interior design company with 25 years of international experience – SIA Xcelsior. The company’s founder and the designer of the Origo interior design Arturs Martinsons explains: “The Origo One offices are designed with unique internal courtyards and an easily transformable layout. Good design has to create high added value. Our goal is to create an object in which the architecture is organically complemented by interior and graphic design whilst still not forgetting the importance of light, sound, smell and the digital environment. The shopping centre Origo and the Origo One business centre will feature durable and high quality materials, according to BREEAM standards, good lighting, understandable navigation and an interactive space.
“The cooperation between Linstow and Skonto Group stretches over several decades. We have worked together on the construction of the first and largest shopping centers in Latvia – Dole, Galerija Centrs, Mols, Origo – and our long-term cooperation on very project serves as proof of our quality, stability and knowledge. Areas around the central station in most cities are shabby, dusty and rather sad but professionals have the ability to change the face of the city. 15 years ago Skonto Group had the chance to take part in the construction project of Origo and we are pleased with the developmental direction the project is taking now. The future look of Riga is in all our hands, and Skonto Group is proud and delighted to share its experience and expertise, and participate in projects that leave their mark on the map of the city for future generations,” says Guntis Rāvis, President of the Skonto Group.
Linstow Center Management plans to invest 70 million euros in the project, of which SEB and Danske Bank granted 34 million euros via long-term syndicated loans. “This project is a forward-looking investment in the future – one that will allow Origo to fully exploit the potential of Rail Baltica. It will fill the gap in the vicinity of the railway station, thus creating a more attractive environment and providing new amenities for city residents and visitors. Thus, we’re pleased to both be a part of the story of Origo’s future and to continue our good long-term relationship with Linstow both here in Latvia and in Estonia and Norway,” emphasizes Ints Krasts, Member of the Board of SEB bank.
The new Origo shopping centre complex will be a high-quality, energy-efficient building, which is undergoing the BREEAM (British Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) sustainable building certification process. Considering the high requirements of the certification, not only compliance of standards but also the transparency of the designing and construction process, chosen materials, their durability, internal climate, accessibility factors etc. are of a very high importance. For to reach the BREEAM certification goals an experienced BRE Global certified British specialist Hadley Barrett has been assigned to the project.
The extension of the Origo shopping centre involves the construction of a new building in the adjacent plot at Station Square 1 – a place where, in 1965, the post office building of the Riga Central Station was opened. Taking into account the established Latvian tradition of measuring the distance between two cities by measuring the distance from one post office to the other, the significance of this plot – the point of beginning – has been embedded both the name of the shopping centre – Origo originates from the Latin word “origin” or the “starting point, as well as in the construction concept and the construction launch event, featuring a unique light installation – Emograph – which preserved and projected each guest’s heartbeats during the event, thus symbolically creating parallels between the unique location and the heartbeat as the starting point of all life.
