At the heart of the ambitious Riga Waterfront development project for the Riga riverside area, with vibrant restaurants, retail spaces, and exhibition zones, The Powerhouse is a modern, multifunctional center for business, shopping, gastronomy, and leisure located in the historic Riga power station.
Here, the breath of a century lingers: built in 1905, the eclectic-style building designed by engineer Oscar von Miller and architect Karl Felsko combines architectural heritage with a modern approach and 21st-century industrial development. Once a source of electric lighting for Riga’s boulevards and power for the city’s trams, soon it will provides energy and inspiration for both locals and visitors.
HISTORY
Riga’s first municipal power station was built in 1905 on Andrejsala, a strategic location beside the Daugava River. Designed by engineer Oscar von Miller and architect Karl Felsko, the plant powered the city’s first electric tram line and street lighting, marking Riga’s entry into the modern energy age.
Its twin chimneys became iconic markers on the city’s skyline. Over the decades, the station evolved with new additions, survived wartime damage, and operated until its closure in 2003.
ARCHITECTURE
Designed by Karl Felsko in 1905, Riga’s old power station was built with a focus on function, yet its architectural presence was striking.
Today, it is being reimagined through a layered revival of form and meaning, where the architecture does not attempt to restore the building to a frozen historical ideal; instead, it brings the structure into the present with a renewed purpose.
Latvian architect Vilnis Fricis leads the transformation, ensuring the power station’s core volumes, massing, and material palette are retained with meticulous care.
LIFESTYLE
Riga today is a city defined by movement, accessibility, and vibrant public life. The Powerhouse emerges as a symbol of this evolving lifestyle—an adaptive public space that connects the city, the river, and its people.
It offers a curated mix of dining, retail, wellness, and creative workspaces, all designed to support both daily routines and cultural expression. With direct access to the Daugava, outdoor terraces, and event venues, it invites residents to gather, move, and reflect.
The Powerhouse is set to become one of Riga’s most exciting new destinations — where great food, lively entertainment, unique shops, and shared moments come together.
With its outdoor terrace and riverside setting along the Daugava, it’s a place to unwind, explore, and enjoy the city’s energy. Walking paths and cycling routes make it easy to connect with the surrounding waterfront and neighbourhoods. The Powerhouse will grow alongside the city and its people, all while honoring the industrial heritage that gives it character.
