The historic Tobacco Factory territory in Riga is open to new ideas and people. With the support of European Union funds attracted by the Ministry of Culture, a modern and multifunctional creative education and cultural environment has been created. The revitalized space now houses the Latvian Academy of Culture's National Film School, the Institute of Culture and Arts, master's students, the Continuing Education Center, the Latvian Film Museum, and others.
The buildings at 58a Miera Street are a national monument and are in the protection zone of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Historic Centre of Riga”. After more than 100 years of industrial use, part of the oldest building was restored and became the temporary residence of the New Riga Theatre, marking the first cultural use of the site and inspiring the development of the TabFab project.
In total, around 7,000 square metres were reconstructed and improved, bringing together representatives from various creative fields and encouraging interaction to create original art projects. The premises, workshops, and professional equipment promote the further development of this cultural place and potential collaborations. TabFab hosts masterclasses, lectures, and events for the wider public, connecting the academic environment with the professional cultural sector. This is more than just a renovated historical complex — every colour, material, and structure creates an interplay between the past and the future, highlighting the richness of culture and encouraging experimentation and bold artistic expression. The project was implemented by State Real Estate (SRE), with funding of 7.6 million euros attracted by the Ministry of Culture. Construction was carried out by Marels Būve Ltd., in cooperation with the architecture firm NRJA and the Latvian Academy of Culture.
TabFab is one of five projects implemented under the EU fund program to promote the revitalization of Riga, ensuring the effective socio-economic use of territory.
More information about the project on SRE website.
(Translated with the help of DeepL Translate)
