Glance on any exhibition of real estate: architects and designers are strongly fond of glass and concrete, the audience is treated with cutting edge designs of buildings, catchy look sharp edges of its walls. Looks interesting, so that you will not regret about the visit. But living in such a miracle of modern architecture is somehow cold. Not in the physical sense, no. Rather, the emotional. I do not know, maybe it's my personal feeling, but ancient buildings are dearer to my heart - in my opinion, they have the most rights to adapt them into your own cozy home. And if a house is located in one of the old neighborhoods where rippled with patina spiers pierce the sky, numerous town clocks approximately beat off the leaving minutes, and copper cocks strive to turn their beaks to the wind ... probably I do not need to continue, I think you understood me well.
Moving to Riga
What is it for? It seems that I'm not alone in my preferences. Fleur antiques, a beautiful view of the old city architecture and the prestige of the address are attracting more and more of our fellow citizens. The real estate market reciprocate, so that there are lots of proposals for the sale of such apartments and houses. But what if the native landscapes have already bored you, and all you want is European refinement and gloss? Consider purchasing a flat or apartment in Riga. European in fact, it nonetheless perfectly understands you even if you completely don't know any foreign languages. Be assured, though Riga is thinking as Europeans, most of it speaks in Russian, so the comfort of stay is provided. Plus considerable aesthetic pleasure: I confess, when I was writing the previous paragraph about the spiers and cockerels, I recalled this city.
What attracts me to this city? Probably the first splendor of old neighborhoods, where neighbors with gothic and baroque modernism, sometimes getting on well not just on one street, and even within a single building facade. Also by a unique emotional state, which can be achieved only by wandering the streets, sometimes numbering of eight hundred years. I must say that, judging by the prices for real estate in the Old Town, the apartments in the area are attractive to many Latvians and immigrants from Russia. Poles and Germans also do not neglect the Riga estate, that didn't not manage to finally assert their dominion over this beautiful city in the Middle Ages. Well, quite time to rejoice in the fact that there are many people with great taste.
Real Estate in Riga can be divided into two categories: for their own and for the others. For their own are the sleeping areas, the old Soviet-panel high-rises for poorer people and new apartment complexes for those who are richer. For others, including Russians - there are apartments and condos in the renovated buildings of the Old Town. We'll talk about the second option: attractive apartments and suites in the old Riga.
Riga Cathedral
The Dome Cathedral is probably the most famous landmark in Riga. Its age is more than eight centuries. Franz Liszt played on its organ, and now on the area around the cathedral there is a variety of events ranging from concerts to fairs. Apartments overlooking the Dome Square and the Cathedral are prestigious and expensive. Of course, the value of the square will depend on the condition of buildings and infrastructure, but will not fall below €4,000 per square meter. If the building has parking, a concierge, and other signs of civilization, the value of the square will be about €5,000-6,000.
However, it should be noted immediately: if you plan to use your Riga apartment in the summer season, you'll need to get used to the noise and liveliness of the surrounding neighborhoods. The square and the cathedral are very attractive for tourists who flock here in a very impressive numbers from May to September inclusive.
The Riga Castle
Riga Castle is on a century younger than Riga Cathedral, which, however, does not detract from its merits. Living nearby is really prestigious. And not just because the castle was once laid by Livonian knights for their master degree, but also because now here is the Presidential Palace - the concentration of the Latvian state, you may say.
Apartments near Riga Castle are not cheap, averaging €3,500 per square meter. By the way, based on the characteristics of the species, there is a more interesting option: you can settle down on the other bank of the Daugava (Dvina) in a modern residential complex and enjoy the view of the entire old town and the castle, in particular. Cost per square meter in this apartment is € 3800.
St. James's Cathedral
Another Riga building, which you don't not get tired to admire. Cathedral of St. James (Jacob), is located to the east of the Riga Castle and north of the Dome Square, and is absolutely striking. Once under the spire of the cathedral an alarm bell was hanging, the sound of which didn't bode well. At the beginning of the last century the cathedral lost its decoration. More recently, the bell was cast and put into its place, however, it is unlikely he will perform the same function — we have radio, TV and the Internet fot that. The average price of apartments in the renovated houses near the cathedral is from €3,700 per sq.m.
What is more profitable?
The question is really very interesting. The bottom line is that the cost of apartments in the old part of the capital of Latvia is dependent not only on the proximity to the individual attractions (although a good view from the window may increase the price by about €1,000), but also on the property. The Old Town is fine, but there is one small caveat: many houses are in pretty bad shape. You shouldn't worry about the presence of an elevatora. It's engineering services, not withstanding the load and about the low adaptation to modern requirements. Meanwhile, if you walk a few blocks, you will fall outside the old town and find yourself in the center of Riga. There are many offers of apartments in houses whose age has just passed the mark of a hundred years. And if you tolerate this fact and did not focus on the age of the structure, it is possible to find a decent apartment at a price of €2,100 per sq m, or buy a chic exclusive apartment priced from €4,200 per sq.m. The benefit is obvious, and if all the sights are not visible from the window, you are within walking distance.
Text:Nadezhda Degtyareva, especially for ee24.com