FaulknerBrowns

Riga Waterfront

Designed in collaboration with Eagle Hills and Hosoya Schaefer Architects, Riga SoHo Quarter re-imagines the historic Riga Port into a vibrant district, blending heritage with modernity.

Summary: Mixed-use masterplan
Location: Riga, Latvia
Client: Eagle Hills
Size: 91,000m²
Completion: Ongoing

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Vision

The Riga SoHo Quarter sees an industrial site transformed into a pedestrian-focused urban destination. Anchored by the striking presence of the restored power station, this vision establishes a place for dynamic, inclusive communities, blending residential units with retail, hospitality, and green space. Streetscapes and plazas integrate elements of history, such as the listed power station church–with contemporary design, encouraging connectivity and further linking residents and visitors to the wider city.

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Seasonal activation

SoHo Square sits in the heart of the Quarter. A vibrant public space and social destination in this new city landmark, designed to host a diverse range of seasonal events and experiences. In summer, it becomes an inviting outdoor destination with playful water features for children. In winter, it evolves into a picturesque ice rink.

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“Our vision is to preserve the city’s heritage in every aspect of our projects, while embracing the future in crafting luxury lifestyle experiences, uplifting the cityscape, and integrating smart innovation for sustainable communities that promote the growth of the local economy.”

Mohamed Alabbar
Chairman, Eagle Hills

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Blending heritage & modernity

Through intimate streets and characterful public spaces, the new SoHo Quarter will honour the history of the city while enhancing the setting, creating new life to the restored and re-purposed power station and the environment around it.

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Preserved historical elements within the Quarter should act as centre points for framing new spaces, together establishing this unique part of Riga.

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The existing chimneys make the SoHo neighbourhood easily identifiable in the Riga Port masterplan and the city skyline. The plots highlighted also act as a strategic marker to build that frame and pinpoint other significant areas of the neighbourhood: SoHo Square and the river promenade.

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Riga retains a distinct silhouette through its buildings and architectural styles. Interpreting this at SoHo brings a twofold benefit–enriching the ridge line for a more dynamic street-level experience and creating unique, site-specific living options that complement the industrial history and the Riga skyline.

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Drawing inspiration from the charm of Riga’s old city, five key elements are woven into the design narrative: pavements, street lighting, street furniture, green spaces, and water features. These elements transform spaces throughout the district, turning the industrial landscape into a vibrant, character-filled place.

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Learning from Riga

The design for the Riga SoHo Quarter has been developed through insightful site visits, drawing inspiration from the city and considering its historic architectural character.

This all shaped a design approach with emphasis on creating intimate, human-scale streetscapes. Avenues weave through the district, forming corridors that balance connectivity with a sense of enclosure. This layered approach mirrors Riga’s vernacular charm, blending vibrant public spaces with quieter residential areas and fostering a deeply immersive and contextual urban environment.