Estonian Architects Win Contest for 35-Million-Euro Hotel in Latvia
Published: 01.09.2010 16:37
Photo: Courtesy of Arhitektuuribüroo Pluss
The bid to design a 35-million-euro hotel in the old town of Latvia’s capital went to architects Indrek Allmann and Joel Kopli of Arhitektuuribüroo Pluss.
“The Estonian bureau’s solution was the most expressive, and most importantly, it was harmoniously integrated into the surrounding old town, which was the objective’s most complicated part,” said Eric Grube, chairman of the panel of judges.
The competition was organized by the hotel giant, Marriott International, which owns 3,457 hotels around the world. The new 180-room Marriott Hotel Riga will begin construction next year in the city’s old town.
“The location is very prestigious - it will be in one of the old town’s prominent gateways. For this reason, the competition received a lot of attention,” said Indrek Allmann, leading architect of Pluss. “We had to take into account the historical buildings, the tradition of the place, and we also had to create a completely new, modern and exciting city space.”
Altogether 17 contestants from three countries took part in the contest. Second and third place were awarded to Latvian companies, said Katrin Ventsel, executive of Arhitektuuribüroo Pluss.