Skanstes City to Invest €3.4 Million in Energy Efficiency, CO₂ Reduction, and a Pocket Park
01.11.2022
By the end of 2023, Skanstes City office center will invest €3.4 million in energy efficiency and CO₂ reduction. This includes installing the largest rooftop solar power station in Latvia, creating an EV charging park, fully renovating two buildings, and redesigning the inner courtyard parking area outside the Skanstes City territory to create a “pocket park” and an open-air event space. Through energy efficiency improvements, Skanstes City will reduce over 400 tons of CO₂ emissions annually.
One of these projects has already been completed—Skanstes City now hosts Latvia’s largest EV charging park, featuring 12 medium-speed charging stations. Continuing its commitment to sustainability and a green urban office environment, solar panel installations have begun on the rooftops of Skanstes iela 50B and 50C, covering over 2,800 m² with a capacity of nearly 300 kW, providing green energy to the Skanstes City office center and its tenants. The solar power station is expected to generate up to 230 MWh annually, equivalent to the yearly electricity consumption of 100 households.
By Q1 2023, the complete renovation of two buildings at Skanstes iela 54 and 54A will be finalized. The renovation includes a fully upgraded façade, new engineering systems, new elevators, ventilation and cooling systems, as well as LED lighting. The buildings will meet A-class energy efficiency standards and obtain a BREEAM “Very Good” certification, which is granted to buildings that adhere to high energy efficiency and sustainability criteria. Additionally, new office spaces covering 7,000 m² will be available for tenants, offering customized office layouts tailored to tenant needs.
Development of the Pocket Park and Urban Spaces
In collaboration with architecture firm ĒTER, Skanstes City has begun designing its 2030 development vision, which includes enhancing the surrounding urban environment. In 2023, Skanstes City’s inner courtyard will be transformed, introducing a green space, a pop-up event area, and an activity zone—collectively called the “pocket park”. To compensate for the relocated parking, the Laktas iela 16 parking lot will be significantly expanded, ensuring greater accessibility for drivers.
Markus Schaefer, Swiss architect and partner at Hosoya Schaefer Architects, shares his perspective on Skanstes City’s inner courtyard vision:
“Skanstes City has the potential to become a dynamic hub for people to meet and interact. It will be an excellent example of an ‘urban mix’—not just a workplace but a space for leisure beyond working hours. Ideally, the area could integrate residential buildings, schools, and care facilities, fostering a true ‘city within a city’ atmosphere. Latvia has a unique natural beauty—its forests, the sea, and the scent of pine trees—and cities could incorporate this by creating parks, squares, and relaxation areas.”
About Skanstes City
Skanstes City is the largest office park in Riga’s historical center, providing a daily workspace for over 4,000 people. The complex consists of eight buildings located on the northern side of Skanstes’ emerging natural and recreational park, accommodating over 60 Latvian and international companies.
Skanstes City is managed by SG Capital Partners AIFP (SG Capital), a Baltic commercial real estate investment manager focused on sustainable investments. SG Capital’s clients include major institutional investors, such as pension funds and financial institutions in the region. Founded in 2015, SG Capital manages SG Capital Partners Fund I and the Sustainable Forest and Land Fund.
Article: https://www.delfi.lv/56414296/komercials-saturs/54895388/skanstes-city-ieguldis-3-4-miljonus-eiro-energoefektivitate-co2-samazinasana-un-kabatas-parka-izveide
