The flat building at 6 Alfreda Kalnina Street (Alfrēda Kalniņa iela 6) embraced by Riga boulevards, which is one of the most prominent Neo-Renaissance and Eclecticism heritage buildings of the outstanding Latvian architect Janis (Johans) Fridrihs Baumanis (Jānis (Johans) Frīdrihs Baumanis), has regained its earlier shine and is now opening its doors for the new residents. Also, during the Christmas time a special opportunity has been offered, potential residents of the house will be able to buy a flat for lower price!
The fully restored and renovated Alfrēda nams on the street, which has been named after Alfreds Kalnins (Alfrēds Kalniņš), brilliant Latvian composer, organist and conductor and the author of the first Latvian classic opera Banuta (Baņuta), has maintained its historic value in combination with modern technologies and new communications.
Excellent Location
Kalnina Street has its own historic charm. It developed after city bulwarks were taken down in 1860s and since then it can be found on the lists of city streets. This street that connects Marijas Street and Kr. Barona Street today is the straightest way to Vermanes Garden (Vērmanes dārzs), and therefore it was natural that the first name of A. Kalnina Street was Little Park Street (Mazā parka iela) and then Park Street (Parka iela). In 1930s, rental flats were located and furnished rooms were let out for tenants on this street; it was home for many important persons of Latvian culture, for instance, composer Emils Darzins (Emīls Dārziņš), writer and poet Janis Poruks (Jānis Poruks) and poet Karlis Kruze (Kārlis Krūze) who enjoyed spending their free time in the adjacent green and home-like Vermanes Garden. Also, the fundaments of the newspaper “Jaunākās ziņas” (Latest News) and the success of Emilija Benjamina (Emīlija Benjamiņa) have been laid down in this street, which are still represented today by Benjamin House (Benjamiņu nams), the most luxurious building in Riga centre, located at the corner of A. Kalnina and Kr. Barona streets, where the hotel Europa Royale can be found now.
The location of Alfrēda nams is eminent. It is in the heart of the city centre and embraced by the historical buildings of adjacent boulevards yet still a little aside from the dynamic Kr. Barona and Marijas streets; the entire transportation infrastructure, shopping centres and market are few steps away, as well as the entertainment – restaurants and cafes and Old Riga. The adjacent green Vermanes Garden is a great fit for lazy walks or more active lifestyle, e.g., morning jogs, and Alfrēda nams windows face the dominant structures of Riga that are so important to every resident of Latvia. i. e., the Freedom Monument, the Opera, Bastion Hill (Bastejkalns) and the buildings of the University of Latvia and the Academy of Music, etc.
Historic-Cultural Monument
Alfrēda nams, initially built according to the type of a club and restored carefully and respectfully towards the historic heritage, has been included in UNESCO World Heritage List just like the entire historic centre of Riga. This Neo-Renaissance building is typical for the second half of the 19th century with the particularly characteristic decoration of building’s facades: gorgeous window isle edges, eaves, belts and other elements creating a well-balanced and artistically impressive composition. Eclecticism tenancy buildings constructed during that period in the ensemble of Riga boulevards determined the image of urban environment.
Construction of buildings that circumferenced a comparatively spacious courtyard was popular back then, and the courtyard provided light for windows facing it, but the flats with windows towards both the courtyard and the street had even better light. The Alfrēda nams building is no exception.
The restored Alfrēda nams, which with the near buildings create an interesting spatial deviation from the street’s construction line, is created by the first academically educated Latvian architect Janis (Johans) Fridrihs Baumanis. This building at 6 A. Kalnina Street is considered to be one of the most important contributions of the architect Baumanis to the boulevard architecture of Riga centre (where almost one third, i. e., 54 buildings have been constructed using his designs) together with such his works as the Academy of Music and the Supreme Court House, etc.
Irrespective of their functions, the structures designed by him were created with illusory facades, where architectural details, which in most cases were taken over from previous architectural styles, were organized in regular pace. However, the structures of Baumanis stood out in terms of artistic pattern and urban construction. Both Renaissance and Gothic style features were typical for residential building facades, and mixtures of these styles could be sometimes found.
Modern Comfort Combined with the Breath of History
At Alfrēda nams, the elements of Neo-Classicism and Eclecticism have been carefully restored and maintained; the facade, staircase and the magnificent main entrance of the building have been restored. Natural stone embellished with delicate elements and decorative bricks of matted red colour have been used as decoration. Alfrēda nams consists of two building blocks with a spacious courtyard, and a resplendent entrance hall connects these blocks.
The potential residents of the house may choose from 36 flats with area from 57 m² until 154 m², but during the special Christmas sale campaign the price of purchasing separate flats will be especially pleasant – starting at 2’000 EUR/m².
In several flats with the typically high ceiling, the old fire-places have been maintained and restored, and air-conditioning system has been built. The studio flats on the mansard floor stand out with particularly high ceilings and modern arrangement of rooms.
The residents of the building will receive Box-Parking spaces, the house has a modern elevator, and storage rooms are available as well.
„Like the opera “Banuta”, which is so important for the Latvian world of music, where a person’s dream of happiness is the leading-motive, also Alfrēda nams on the street named after the author of this opera may become a practicable dream for economically active people with families appreciating historic charm and modern comfort in centre buildings,” Inese Zakite (Inese Zaķīte), Sales Associate of Baltic Sotheby’s International Realty, says.
More information about „Alfrēda nams” available here.
Resource: RESTORED “ALFRĒDA NAMS” SHINES BRIGHT IN RIGA BOULEVARDS