Elemental Business Centre celebrates topping out
On March 30, the upcoming office rental project Elemental Business Centre in Riga celebrated the topping out, thus marking the completion of the largest construction works. Along with the usual topping out traditions, such as placing wreaths on the top floor of buildings and speeches by people close to the project, the event also featured a special stunt performance by Jaan Roose – a walk from one roof floor of the Elemental Business Centre building to another.
Elemental Business Centre is an office rental project in Riga, Skanstes Street 25, with a leasable area of 21,000 m2 across two buildings, will be commissioned this fall. The construction of the office rental complex was started in 2021 under the name Elemental Skanste, but at the beginning of this year the project was renamed Elemental Business Centre.
Taavi Ojala, CEO of the project developer Kapitel, stated at the topping out ceremony that the company has had to face various challenges in its more than 25 years of experience, but the construction of the Elemental Business Centre especially stands out, considering the global events of recent years.
“Despite the challenges, we were determined to continue the implementation of the Elemental Business Centre project. Two years ago, with the support of our professional colleagues and reliable partners, we started construction here and now we see that our efforts have paid off, as the best office buildings in Riga are being built before our eyes. Already this fall, we will be able to celebrate the opening here, marking an important milestone on our way to a world-class office rental complex,” said Taavi Ojala. He also pointed out that today high-class office complexes have become an integral part of the urban environment, so Kapitel strives to develop office buildings that not only provide an excellent working environment, but also improve the city landscape and contribute to the growth and well-being of the local community.
Imants Krēsliņš, the sales manager of Elemental Business Centre, praised the implementation of the project despite the challenges, highlighting the work of the team and related partners.
“Having reached this important construction phase of the project, I am very grateful to our team, the construction company Merks and our tenants. This stage opens a new page in the Riga A-class office segment. I would especially like to highlight the trust shown by the tenants during the construction stage of the building, which for us as developers is an important proof of the success of the project. We are sure that Elemental Business Centre will prove itself as one of the highest quality and most sustainable office centres in the country.”
The representatives of Elemental Business Centre emphasize that already during the development of the project it was important for the developer that the construction process meets the highest energy efficiency standards. Currently, the project is on its way to receiving the BREEAM Outstanding rating, thus becoming the first building in Latvia with the highest possible rating. This will also be the first office building complex in Latvia, in the construction of which energy piles have been used – energy piles will provide up to 72% of the heating and cooling needs of the building, significantly reducing the costs of utilities for tenants.
“With the onset of spring, a new phase of construction in the development of Elemental Business Centre has begun. At the moment, we have completely completed the construction of the supporting frames of the two buildings and the work on the assembly of glass structures is actively underway,” Andris Bišmeistars, board member and construction director of SIA Merks assured in his address, noting that the facade works are planned to be completed at the beginning of July.
“This business centre of increased energy efficiency will be able to be proud of modern and technologically advanced solutions such as the use of geothermal piles, thus setting a new level of quality and standards for future public buildings in Latvia,” assured A. Bišmeistars.
Vilnis Ķirsis, Deputy Chairman of the Riga City Council. reminded the audience of the significance of the topping out celebration in the construction industry, which is a huge steppingstone in the process of implementing construction projects. In addition, the vice-mayor emphasized the significant contribution of energy-efficient and sustainable buildings to the capital’s environment.
“The high point of the construction process in the new office building of the Elemental Business Centre is celebrated today, but the next highest peaks for this project have already been laid during the design process, and they are modern and sustainable technologies, especially energy efficiency solutions, which will allow the use of ground heat for heating and air conditioning of this building. The city of Riga truly appreciates investors’ understanding and investments in such projects, which become a kind of high point and an example for modern solutions,” said Vilnis Ķirsis in his speech.
Jevgenijs Ivanovs, Head of Corporate Division of Swedbank, assured that Elemental Business Centre will undoubtedly be a competitive addition to the offer of office buildings in the newest business district of Riga, because the sustainable construction solutions included in the project are essential not only for the environment, but also for economic and social development.
“Implementation of this modern and sustainability-compliant project will not only provide a high-quality work environment for business, but will also provide versatile services for well-being and daily convenience. And these are aspects that we particularly value in our partners when offering our financial services. Our successful cooperation is united by cooperation based on industry knowledge and similar values,” said Jevgenijs Ivanovs.
The architect of the Elemental Business Centre, Indrek Allmann from PLUSS Architects, said that the architectural idea of the buildings arose from being on a small island surrounded by a sea of ice, and this clear and clean feeling was also transferred to the architecture of the building.
“Since being on an isolated island you must be environmentally friendly and sustainable in almost every aspect, the Elemental Business Centre office building strives to be the same. Functionality, both in planning and in the solutions used, is one of the main aspects that provides additional security that the office complex will be relevant in the future as well,” said Indrek Allmann.
After the speeches, athlete, three-time world champion and owner of many world records, as well as Red Bull athlete Jaan Roose, who does slackline sports, walking and performing tricks on a rope tensioned in the air between two anchor points, made a special performance at the event. During the topping out, the athlete made a walk from one roof floor of the Elemental Business Centre building to another.
Currently, the first tenants of Elemental Business Centre are being actively announced, among which are the retail network Rimi and information technology group Dyninno Group – the first anchor tenant of Elemental Business Centre.