Kipsala and Pardaugava
SAULES AKMENS, NATIONAL LIBRARY

This page is about Kipsala and Pardaugava, today prestigious neighbourhoods that are situated right opposite the Old Town from River Daugava. Kipsala is a small, narrow island, connected by the Old Town by the modern Vansu bridge. This is the part of Riga where the majority of modern highrises have been constructed, the most striking is Saules Akmens that is the tallest skyscraper in Latvia. Pardaugava is a neighbourhood just next to Kipsala Island, also opposite the Old Town, that is connected by the Akmens Bridge. You can also find the brand new National Library here.

Saules Akmens, situated on Kipsala island opposite the Old Town, is Swedbank's Central Office and was completed in 2004. It is the tallest skyscraper in Latvia, until Z-towers will be completed in 2015. It has 27 floors and is 123m to the top of the spire.


Saules Akmens literally means the Sun Stone. This futuristic skyscraper was designed by the architects Zenico Projekts and Tectum.

  

The top of Saules Akmens with the Swedbank logo

Saules Akmens and Vansu Bridge by night

 


The National Library of Latvia had almost completed construction during my visit (2013). This cool, futuristic building is scheduled to open its doors in 2014. Among the most notable architects are Gunars Birkerts. It is 68m tall.

  

The National Library with its significant sharp edgesNational Library of Latvia seen from Akmens Bridge

 

THE SKYLINE OF KIPSALA AND PARDAUGAVA:

The skyline of Kipsala island and Vansu Bridge.

The skyline of Kipsala island from the left: Z-Towers (u/c, twin towers, 130m will be Latvia's tallest), Preses Nams (77m, built 1978) and Saules Akmens (123m, built 2004).

Akmens Tilt (Stone Bridge) to Pardaugava district with National Library (left) and Radisson Daugava Hotel(right).

 

KIPSALA AND PARDAUGAVA FROM ABOVE:

 
Kipsala island, Pardaugava, Zakusala island and Daugava river
  

National Library and Z-Towers (u/c), Pardaugava

   National Library, Pardaugava and Panorama Plaza