The State Real Estate Agency (SRE) has concluded a price inquiry for the renovation of the sign bar and lettering of Saktas House. Within the framework of this project, the design and installation of two spatial neon signs "Sakta" in the historical font and size will be carried out by LLC (SIA) "Eltex", reveals Jeļena Gavrilova, the Member of the SRE Board.
"The restoration of the signage of the Saktas House is a very small but important project for the community, as this building is associated with many memories - as a post office, meeting point or otherwise. Therefore, preserving the inscription "Sakta" in the historical font is also an important decision in order not to lose the nostalgia that many people associate with this building," says J. Gavrilova.
The restored sign bands and lettering will not only modernise the historic Saktas House, but also give it a new look, preserving its historic character. The lettering is designed in the historic font and size, while the sign bar will be designed in a contemporary design, incorporating diamond-shaped perforations. The panels will be illuminated in the evening hours by LED lighting behind them, creating a visually interesting effect and accentuating the corner of the historic building.
The construction works will include dismantling of the existing facade sign, refinishing of the construction area, fabrication of a new "Sakta" sign, fabrication of a new facade panel and installation of the elements, as well as upgrading of the existing electrical wiring, installation of new electrical wiring and storm drain repair works.
The Saktas House at 32 Brīvības Boulevard, Riga, is a Neo-Renaissance building and one of the pearls of Riga's architecture. The house was built in 1869 by Heinrich Karl Scheel as a tenement house and belonged to the Krīgeri family, master masons of Riga. Later, in 1912, a fourth floor was added to the building, designed by Mārtiņš Nukša. The ground floor has always been open to the public. During the Soviet era, in 1964, the Sakta gift and souvenir shop opened there, and later the building housed various institutions, including kiosks, cafés and shops. Since the 1960s, the building has also been decorated with the historical inscription "Sakta", which has survived to the present day.
In 2021, the building's historic facade was restored, drains were cleaned and lightning protection was improved. All external works were carried out in accordance with the guidelines of the National Heritage Office in order to preserve the authentic character of the building.
From 2006 until the end of 2022, the ground floor of the building housed the central branch of the Post of Latvia. From 2014, the upper floors of the building will be home to the Latvian National Museum of History, which will begin moving the exhibition to its historical home in Riga Castle this year.
For information on the history of the building and the facade renovation project that will be completed in 2021, see the video "Buildings and Legends - Saktas House through the Ages" https://youtu.be/3uTy9UiylDc?si=0xDhjLS4plbKPNch
About SRE
SRE provides professional real estate management and administration for 419 building and structure properties, comprising 1049 buildings with a total area of 0.98 million square metres, as well as land beneath structures with a total area of 575 hectares, and 3,385 land properties with a total area of 949 hectares. SRE is one of 17 Latvian companies that in 2023 received the highest platinum award as part of the Sustainability Index of the Institute of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability, confirming the good governance and sustainability of its operations. The company was founded in 1996 and the Ministry of Finance is its sole shareholder.
