For 635,600 euros, the facade of the historic Sakta house will be restored :: Dienas Bizness

SJSC Valsts nekustamie īpašumi (VNĪ) will start renovating the façade of the almost one and a half century old Neo-Renaissance style building at 32 Brīvības Street, Rīga, which is widely known as the location of the souvenir shop Sakta, as well as the Latvian National History Museum (LNVM) temporary exhibition site.

Renovation works will be carried out in accordance with the instructions of the Latvian National Cultural Heritage Board, informs Renārs Griškevičs, Chairman of the Board of VNĪ.

In the course of the works, the facade of the building will be renovated, gutters will be arranged, as well as lightning protection will be restored. A contract is concluded for the performance of the works with JSC “Būv Uzņēmums Restaurators”, the amount of the contract is 635 634.55 euros, which will be covered from VNI real estate investments.

“In order to gain clarity about the preserved cultural and historical values, the house was subjected to architectural-artistic research. The facade renovation will take place while the occupants of the building are in the premises, without interfering with their operation. It is planned to complete the renovation by the beginning of 2021,” adds R. Griškevičs

The building currently houses the Latvijas Pasta branch, as well as several cafes and kiosks, but the historical inscription “Sakta” still adorns the house. The exposition of the Latvian National Museum of History and the exhibition hall in the building – the former premises of the Faculty of History and Philosophy of the University of Latvia – have been housed since May 2014, while the museum is waiting to return to its historical premises in Riga Castle after their planned reconstruction.

The house at 32 Brīvības Street was built after the demolition of the protective walls of the city of Riga in the 1960s and 1970s. years, when the construction of the later boulevards in the center of Riga began. In 1875, the owner of Jaungulbene manor Otto von Tranze-Roseneck built a three-storey house with several apartments in the Neo-Renaissance style, which became a family residence, according to the project of the famous architect Heinrich Karl Schell.

In 1910, the building became the property of the Riga Homeowners’ Credit Union and became its headquarters. At that time, there was active social activity in the house and there were shops, at the same time preserving the living space. In 1912, according to the project of architect Mārtiņš Nukša, the fourth floor of the house was added. During the First World War – in 1917, one of the apartments housed the Executive Committee of the Latvian Rifle Regiment (Iskolastrels).

After the proclamation of the independence of the Republic of Latvia, on November 27, 1918, the founding meeting of the Latvian Red Cross Society took place in the building. At the beginning of the Latvian Freedom Fights, in December 1918 the Separate Student Company – one of the first Latvian military units – 1933, commanded by Nikolai Grundmanis, Captain of the Latvian Provisional Government Armed Forces, was formed and housed in the premises of the Riga Homeowners’ Credit Union. On December 20, 2003, the Commander of the Latvian Army, Mārtiņš Peniķis, unveiled a memorial plaque at the house, which was dismantled during the Soviet occupation, but was rediscovered at the end of 2003.

In the first decades of the 20th century, the house became home to various organizations: the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Latvian Women’s Aid Corps Donation Collection Office, during Bermontiade, in October and November 1919 – the city kitchen, and the Latvian Refugee Rehabilitation Society.

During the Republic of Latvia, 20th – 30th centuries. The Riga Landlords’ Credit Union, the Riga Homeowners’ Association, the Riga Lawyers’ Association, the Institute of Phonology established and initially run by Vīgners Ernest, the University of Latvia student corporation “Gaujmaliete”, as well as various cafes and shops continued to work in the building. Congresses, meetings and exhibitions were often held in the premises of the associations.

After the Soviet occupation, the building became state property (was nationalized) – in 1940 it housed the Customs Department, and already in 1941 it began to be used for the needs of the Faculty of Economics and Law, as well as History and Philology of the State University of Latvia. year. From 1966 to 2004, the first floor of the building was dedicated to the popular gift and souvenir shop “Sakta”, which was replaced in 2006 by the “Latvijas Pasts” branch.