Riga TV tower’s reconstruction planned for next year; costs may go above EUR 30 million

Latvian State Radio and Television Centre (LVRTC) has announced a procurement project for the reconstruction of Riga radio and television tower and the administrative building on Zaķusala. The projected costs of this procurement exceed EUR 30 million, as reported by LVRTC.
Candidate selection procedure has begun and will last for approximately three months.
It is intended to select a contractor who has carried out new construction or reconstruction work on at least one building in the last five years as the main performer of construction works, where the cost of the construction works contract was at least EUR 20 million (excluding VAT).
LVRTC representatives note that in 2022, considering the considerable growth of construction costs, the centre performed an assessment of costs of the TV and radio tower in Zaķusala. They concluded that the growth of costs was more significant than forecasts suggested. The procurement was then ceased and the project’s initiatives were later reviewed.
The reconstruction project provides for the restoration of the building’s old structure and improve its energy efficiency, as well as restore and expand the public space, install a view platform at a 100 m and more than 130 m height. Multi-functional space at a height of 100 m is also planned.

LVRTC also plans to make it possible for visitors to go on the tower’s outdoor platforms at a 220 m height with a safety harness attached.

The tower is planned to be fitted with workstations, technical support rooms and equipment necessary to ensure the buildings internal operations. The territory surrounding the tower is planned to be made greener. A parking lot for visitors will be constructed as well.
The procurement also details plans to restore and build from scratch all engineering systems and then connect them to the new management and automation system to ensure energy-efficient and sustainable building management.
LETA previously reported that in 2020 LVRTC announced a closed tender for the reconstruction of the Zaķusala TV and radio tower. The contract price was EUR 54 million (excluding VAT).
In March 2022 the Zaķusala TV and radio tower reconstruction procurement project was ceased due to growth of prices of construction materials. LVRTC board chairman Ģirts Ozols explained at the the time that the procurement was first announced in 2020, and the company expected costs to reach EUR 60 million, which is an amount the company could have afforded to pay. However, construction costs went up by more than 20%. This and the geopolitical situation were the main reasons why it was decided to cease the procurement.
The Zaķusala TV and radio tower is the tallest tower in the European Union. It was commissioned in 1989, but has been providing broadcasts since 1986. The tower is the youngest structure in Latvia that is added to the country’s list of culturally historical monuments.
The turnover of LVRTC was EUR 25.216 million in 2022, which is 14.3% more than a year prior. The company’s profits went up 20.1% and were EUR 5.581 million.
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