Historical building complex, today – creative district in Riga – enjoy history, art, culture, entertainment and food!

The creative industry’s quarter at the Maskavas Street Spīķeri warehouse complex promises to evolve into one of the hottest neighbourhoods on the Riga art and culture scene. The grand project is still in its initial phase; however, the red 19th-century brick buildings and warehouses already house a number of contemporary art, music, film and theatre institutions of established quality and prestige – the KIM? Contemporary Art Centre, one of the cornerstones of future development of the Spīķeri quarter, among them.

The Spīķeri territory, owned by Uldis and Jānis Dinne, has been included into the UNESCO World Heritage list; as of 2008, it is home to the unique Museum of Doll Art as well as Dirty Deal Cafe, a hub of contemporary art and one of the most talked-about addresses of the alternative Riga that continues to surprise with impressive music and film events, avant-garde theatre performances, festivals and concerts.

The list of residents and tenants is scheduled to be increased this year with the Visual Communications Department of the Latvian Academy of Art, the RIXC Centre for New Media Culture, the Skaņu Mežs (Forest of Sounds) annual festival of experimental music as well as the conceptually revamped META-KAFE (the first bookstore-restaurant of this kind in the city) and, last but not least, the Sinfonietta Rīga chamber orchestra which, after three years’ worth of effort and battling with the whims and fancies of the time-worn Wagner Concert Hall, has finally found its way to the old warehouses – in other words, to a new rehearsal space and chamber concert hall that seats 140. Another building on the outskirts of the quarter, literally – empty tumbledown walls overgrown with forest, is still expecting its turn; the place is destined to become a branch of the upcoming Latvian Museum of Contemporary Art that’s still waiting for the construction of its own “Castle of Light” – to wit, the museum building – to commence in Andrejsala. At the other end of the territory, another warehouse conversion, already completed yet currently still empty, is scheduled to become a “hatchery” for the creative industry – i.e., home to a string of institutions and businesses representing contemporary culture.

Creative activities in the Spīķeri warehouse complex span several distinct areas, brought together under a common main theme every two months.
kim?/VKN, kim?/RIXC and kim?/FK gallery spaces are filled weekly with exhibitions organized by RIXC and the students of the Visual Communications Department. Once every two weeks, screenings of contemporary theatre, dance and circus performance recordings are organized in collaboration with the New Theatre Institute and Arte TV network, for those who are unable to attend such events in person. The National Film Centre, the Film Museum and the NOASS Culture and Arts Project provide a regular art video and short film programme. Exhibitions and performances are managed by the New Theatre Institute, with the additional involvement of Skaņu Mežs: the festival offers a selection of its strongest finds. And last but not least, there is music – a realm that is frequently explored in various concerts and lectures.

One thing is clear: by using the amazing synergy of various fields of contemporary culture, the Spīķeri will soon become the new epicentre of the Riga creative space, drawing the nearby urban environment – including the embankment of the Daugava, which is already connected to Zaķusala and Andrejsala via the ferry service provided by Darling, a charming Art Nouveau boat – into the exciting maelstrom of its development. The reconstruction of the Spīķeri complex is planned to be completed in 2012 and will also include a space for the best College of Gastronomic Arts in the Baltic region, as well as a farmers’ eco-market. Incidentally, there is already a busy night market between the red brick buildings of the Spīķeri warehouses.

Entrance to all exhibitions and lectures is free. And please follow their websites fort he latest updates on the music and art events.

Contacts

Telephone: +371 67205486
Website (Spikeri): www.spikeri.lv
Website (KIM): www.kim.lv

Riga Guide - Experiences, Tours & Things to Do

4.9

Based on 68 reviews

Natalie Green

15:08 29 Dec 19

Steph, our guide, was absolutely brilliant. Picked us up from our hotel and told us all about Riga on the commute to... and from the bobsleigh track. The g-force bobsleigh was amazing (it feels like a roller-coaster) and we didn't have to wait long. There's also an observation deck where you can view the national park. The only downside was an error by the office staff overcharging us for the experience, which put a downer on the day, as I was told I wasn't able to do the bobsleigh unless we paid more. This was eventually resolved by the owner when he apologised for the error and confirmed no further payment was needed. I advise you pay the balance in full before the trip to avoid incompetent staff trying to overcharge you.read more

Charlotte Lowe

01:16 18 Dec 19

Ilya, the guide who picked me up to take me to the Bobsleigh track, was superb. He was in great communication with me... on his way to pick me up and even sent me recommendations of places to eat afterwards. He was lovely and I cannot fault him. Unfortunately, the actual experience was awful. I had paid a lot of money to ride a vuchko down the bobsleigh track, when making my booking I made the company aware that I was going to be alone. I was charged a significant amount more than what was stated on their website which I didn't mind as I understood that I was being charged the full group price which would normally be split between the members of the group. But when I got to the bobsleigh track they insisted that I had to pay an extra €15 to ride the vuchko where you face headfirst as I wasn't able to ride the seated one, being on my own. I was only told this after my ride so I had no choice other than to pay it. I was clearly the last person to visit and ride on the track for the day as it was very rushed. Considering the amount of money that I paid for this experience I would expect to be given a little time to have a picture taken or look around the track in more detail. I was shoved into a vuchko, pushed off onto the track, dragged off the track and taken back to the car to go back to the hotel. I feel slightly cheated out of the money that I paid. The only positive was that Ilya, the guide, was so friendly and positive.read more

Viv Savage

20:01 10 Dec 19

We booked a bobsleigh ride and it was very well organised with contact through email and what's app. Our guide was so... lovely and kept us calm before our experience!! The full bobsleigh was pretty scary but definitely an experience we'll never forget!read more

Julien Gigoi

17:51 03 Nov 19

Very good experience. Professional from the booking to the end of the tour. We had with them curling, bobsleigh and bar... crawl with Laura who was a great guide.read more

Justus Beyer

10:39 18 Sep 19

I went with two of my friends and we had such a good experience with these guys. It is an amazing experience to feel... the recoil and the weight of the weapon. Highly recommended!!read more

Herve Gevers

15:02 31 Aug 19

We had a catamaran trip to Baltic see, 9 of us, having a party for my friend. It was such a great experience.... Everything was organized so well. They pick us up from our accommodation exactly on time. Our guide Stephanie is a lovely, fun person, very beautiful lady, enthusiastic and active. Thankful to her we had so much fun. Also, thanks to our bus driver Aleksandrs to drive us safely home.read more

Cristina B

19:08 27 Aug 19

It was a once in a life time experience!!! The staff was so kind and caring. From start to finish it was the perfect... trip- was sad that have it end. Definitely recommend this company and experience :)read more

Daan de Natris

10:02 12 Aug 19

We went shooting with a group of 25 people, was a cool experience! Shooting was great, and done too soon. We got picked... up at the hostel and they brought us back. Great service and a great guide!read more

Naut Duin

10:02 12 Aug 19

We had a good time. We went shooting and the organisation was really good! We had a lovely guide and she was... enthusiastic.read more

Didrik Gilde

14:48 05 Aug 19

You get picked up by a nice guy at the hotel Professional instructor. Everything is great

Mariya Kavardzhikova

08:04 24 Jul 19

My boyfriend and I went shooting and choose the riffle package including an AK-47, we also bought extra bullets for the... AK-47. It was so much fun! 👌 It is with organized transportation and the people were very nice and friendly. I was a little nervous but the instructor was very calming and helpful, and I we had a really great time! 😀 We definitely recommend this experience! 👍read more

Alexander Specking

11:43 18 Jul 19

A surreal experience for anyone who has never held/shot a gun in his/her life. It was scary but weirdly exciting. Sure... to get the adrenaline pumping! Picked up and dropped back off at the hotel. The shooting range is set inside in closed off rooms. Very nice people, and very flexible - if you want to shoot a different weapon, you can browse the catalog there and pay extra on sight.read more

Leon Fleddermann

11:37 18 Jul 19

I had tons of fun, for anyone looking for a real thrill especially if you are an experienced shooter, you must try the... AK-47 Full Auto.read more

Levi Winther

18:48 14 Jul 19

We had a very good day with Tank Driving and river rafting:) And the staff was just brilliant and gave us a very good... service and a good experience.read more

Justina Wellstam

08:35 13 Jul 19

Very well organized and friendly staff. Was fun and lived up to expectations.

Alina M.

14:57 09 Jul 19

Really nice service:) Advice! Tank ride was so exciting!!!!!! Thanks a lot for such real emotions!

Somers Brewin

15:33 11 Jun 19

The Riga Guide team were fantastic in helping me organise a Stag Do for 27 people. They are very responsive and helpful... over email and quick to suggest alternatives if something doesn't work out (for example due to bad weather or traffic). They made what could have been a very stressful trip loads of fun and I'm very grateful - I'd definitely recommend using them for group trips. Steph and Irina were particularly helpful! Thank you!read more

James Keatinge

11:43 12 May 19

Curling in Riga! This was the highlight of the trip and something you simply have to do when spending time in Riga!!!!... Everything was extremely easy to organise and the team were very helpful and welcoming. The coaching and facilities were also excellent. Highly recommend!read more

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Spikeri Warehouse District

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