Latvia’s government has finally approved the model developed by the Ministry of Culture for the implementation of the National Acoustic Concert Hall project. The model includes activities like organising an international design contest, development of a construction project and construction, which is planned to be completed by 2029.
As previously reported, the National Concert Hall will be constructed within the territory currently occupied by Riga Congress Centre and adjacent areas. As part of the project a protocol of intent will be signed by the Ministry of Culture, Riga City Council and Rīgas nami LLC.
«Clear development stages for the creation of the National Acoustic Concert Hall have been outlined. Their implementation will be carried out in close cooperation with Riga City Council. This is a long-expected event. We went through decades worth of discussions. The result should become clear in this decade – our musical culture needs an excellent stage in the capital city. Musicians and listeners of all generations have earned as much,» says Minister of Culture Nauris Puntulis.
Implementation of the project will be managed by Riga City Council’s Property Department, which will work together with Latvian Association of Architects and organise a design contest and development of technical specifications.
Considering the geopolitical and economic situation in the world, it is impossible to objectively predict the costs of the concert hall’s construction, the ministry explains. This is why the project has been divided into three stages. The necessary funding and sources for the next stage will be clarified at the end of each stage.
The first stage – international design contest – is planned to be done by June 2023. It will be announced in autumn this year. Preparations for the design contest are underway. According to the report submitted to the government, the state budget funding for this stage is EUR 490 623.
The second stage – construction project’s development – the provisional period of time, including talks with the winner of the design contest, development of the project and construction object’s examination is planned for 2024-2025.
The third stage, which includes the agreement over the implementation and financing of the construction stage of the project, construction work commencement and monitoring are planned to take place between 2025-2027.
The rough estimate is for construction work to commence in 2027.
Construction work is estimated to take about two years, which means the concert hall may be completed by the year 2029.
Latvian Ministry of Culture will reach an agreement with Riga municipality and Rīgas nami LLC on construction of the national acoustic concert hall and its financing model until 31 August 2026. They are required to submit to the Cabinet of Ministers a report on their plans and decisions related to the alienation of property located on K.Valdemāra Street 5, Riga, in favour of the municipal administration.
A special council will be composed to monitor the National Acoustic Concert Hall project. It will consist of representatives from the Ministry of Culture, Riga City Council Property Department, Rīgas nami LLC, Latvian Association of Architects, as well as Latvian National Symphony Orchestra and members delegated from Latvijas Koncerti.