Latvia Invests €157.5 Million in Security, Infrastructure, and Cultural Preservation Projects
In 2025, Latvia’s state-owned property manager, VAS “Valsts nekustamie īpašumi” (VNĪ), completed six key development projects totaling €157.5 million. These projects focused on bolstering national security, preserving cultural heritage, and modernizing facilities for public administration institutions.
Strengthening Border Security
A significant portion of the investment, €138.6 million, was dedicated to completing the construction of a 280-kilometer border fence along the Latvian-Russian border. This included the construction of 17 kilometers of pontoons, utilizing six construction companies and collaborative efforts with the National Armed Forces across 18 work sites. The fence aims to provide a continuous barrier where technically feasible.
VNĪ also improved border infrastructure along the Latvian-Belarusian border with the construction of the Rokades road around Lake Riču, a project costing €3.8 million undertaken by SIA “Latvijas autoceļu uzturētājs”. These roads connect existing border infrastructure sections, facilitating the movement of border guards and enabling quicker responses to potential border violations.
Modernizing Public Administration Buildings
VNĪ completed several projects to enhance the working environment for public servants. The building at Talejas iela 1 became the first unified state office building. Reconstruction and adaptation work for the Health Inspectorate’s premises were completed with an investment of €722.9 thousand, creating a modern and functional workspace that meets accessibility, safety, and energy efficiency standards. The Health Inspectorate began operations in the renovated space on October 6, 2025.
In 2026, the Ministry of Economy and its affiliated institutions – the Consumer Rights Protection Center, the Competition Council, the Latvian National Accreditation Bureau, and the Central Statistical Bureau – are scheduled to relocate to the state office building on Talejas iela 1.
Supporting Arts and Culture
At the beginning of 2025, a complex of stage art decoration workshops and rehearsal halls was completed at Meirānu iela 2 in Riga, with a total investment of €11.38 million, including €5.9 million in funding from the European Regional Development Fund. This recent complex provides the Latvian National Opera and Ballet (LNOB) with expanded capabilities for creating and restoring stage elements, strengthening its position in the international performing arts community.
The reconstruction and renovation of the Patent Board building at Citadeles iela 6A in Riga were also finalized at a cost of €2.86 million. The modernized building features improved engineering networks, a customer waiting area, and employee rest facilities, ensuring full environmental accessibility.
Preserving Cultural Heritage
VNĪ continued its commitment to preserving Latvia’s cultural heritage with the completion of conservation work on the Northern Inner Gate Tower in the Turaida Museum Reserve on November 14, 2025. The project, costing €200 thousand, focused on preserving the tower’s historical authenticity and preventing further structural damage.
Ongoing and Future Projects
Currently, VNĪ is managing 30 ongoing development projects with a total investment of €316.7 million. Key projects include the interior reconstruction of the “Arsenāls” art museum, the second phase of the reconstruction and renovation of the “Lielā gilde” concert hall, the creation of a new multifunctional complex for control services in Kundziņsala, and continued work on strengthening the Latvian-Russian and Latvian-Belarusian borders.