Developers and Partners of the High-class Multi-functional Business Complex Present their Achievements

In the forthcoming multi-functional business complex Z Towers, the first stage 0 cycle construction works are close to being finalized. Major investments have been made within the scope of this construction stage and new world-class technologies have been used under the guidance of experienced specialists.

Z-Towers business complex is located right in the heart of Riga on the bank of the Daugava River, just a few minutes drive from the Riga International Airport and Old Town. The complex will contain both A-and VIP-class offices, several conference rooms, business centres, luxury class Sheraton Hotel, boutiques, restaurants, cafés, beauty salons, a SPA centre and health club, four stage underground parking, as well as a helicopter landing pad on the office tower roof.

The construction of Z Towers business complex began in August 2006. The project implementation is carried out in two phases. Major 0 cycle construction works have been carried out during the first phase. The second phase will be the construction of both towers and the façade, which is starting right now. Since the start of the project’s implementation, new standards, new quality and a new high-rise building concept have been introduced to the market.

Z Towers business complex is scheduled to be put into operation in 2010 when the Sheraton Riga Hotel and Z Towers office tower will open their doors for business. The development of the Z Тowers complex ensures that it will be not only an influential business centre, but also a project with remarkable architectural value among the high-rise buildings in the Baltic States.

More information on the works performed and their benefit to Riga and its business society are commented on by the business centre’s developers, consultants, architects, designers and builders.

Z Towers Ltd. Chairman of the Board Bradley Gee talks about the significance and contribution of the project:
“Z Towers should be compared to world-scale multi-functional business complexes. Its creation involved the work of major representatives of their areas – architecture, construction, consulting, project management and supervision. This perspective complex has already set a new standard, quality and solution not only in Latvia, but worldwide. In the current phase, Z Towers as a significant and major project that promotes the development of construction and related areas in Latvia by employing highly qualified specialists. A total of 47 million euro have been invested in the implementation of the first stage (0 cycle) of the Z Towers multi-functional business centre.
Z Towers is a major step forward in the promotion of Riga’s recognition as a business metropolis. In the future, the location of Z Towers in Riga will allow for the organization of large-scale international events in Latvia in the areas of business, politics and culture, by significantly increasing the quality and significance of incoming tourism in Latvia. Tenants of the office building will enjoy unique quality, design and prestige, very high service and safety standards.”

The Director of Z Towers construction and international construction company Strabag in the Baltic States and Head of the Russian Sales Division Mahmod Farokhnia talks about performed works and innovations:
“Finalization works of the 0 cycle are currently being carried out at the construction site. Within the scope of this cycle, 30,000 m³ of concrete have been poured, 6,500 t of steel reinforcement used, 100,000 m³ of ground or, on average, 800 to 1,100m³ of ground excavated daily and 226 set piles, whose average length is 28 m and diameter 1.2 m.

The top-down construction method, a method unique for Latvia, was used to fortify the foundations of the Z Towers complex and for the construction of the parking lot Moreover, a new technology has been worked out, which permits the use of the construction pit at maximum efficiency upon any geological conditions without horizontal anchoring and with certain limitations, for example, if the construction of the project was planned without horizontal anchoring.

Within the scope of Z Towers 0 cycle, the following works were carried out:

• construction of sheet pile wall
• construction of piling system
• excavation works
• concreting works
• construction of underground parking lot (4 underground stories for 758 motor vehicles)
• construction of floor plate
• construction of interim floor coverings
• construction of tower podium and columns
• construction of columns for underground parking lot
• establishment of lift shafts
• construction of evacuation stairs
• construction of ramps.”

The project author, Head of the architectural office F.L Tadao & Lukševics (NRJA), Head of the construction project and copyright group, architect Uldis Lukševics, discusses the following on the overall Z Towers architectonic solution:
“According to the assumed solutions of the detailed planning of the ‘Territory on Zunda Channel’ and the Daugava River Left Bank vision, the Z Towers building introduces a vertical building with a city silhouette with accents formed in the direction from the Airport to Old Town.
The building’s composition of 2 connected towers prescribes several functions – a hotel and offices, as well as a wish to connect commercial premises.
The building’s dynamic image is created by the bay windows, materials used, as well as the planned lighting of the façade with an integrated LED system (light-illuminating diodes).
The very building and the bay windows give a new view of the city from the publicly accessible office and hotel premises, as well as restaurants in the connecting floors.
The publicly accessible external area – the roof terrace and the reconstructed historical construction territory with the planned infrastructure of cafés and exhibition premises will serve as a recreation zone for city residents.”

Managing Director of the international real estate consulting company Re&Solution Raitis Nešpors says:
“Z Towers multi-functional business complex is the only project of its kind not only in Riga, Latvia, but also in the Baltic States.
The A- and VIP-class office complex infrastructure and environment is made according to the high-class international standards, so that the companies and organizations that choose Z Towers offices as their home can enjoy recognition according to their status and significance, and will receive the highest quality services for ensuring their operations and cooperation in one place.

Information on the participating companies

Z Towers Ltd. is a subsidiary of S.P.I. Group, a private international company established in 1997 and engaged in manufacturing and sales of alcoholic beverages, real estate development and agriculture. In 2006, S.P.I. Group purchased Vertikālā pasaule Ltd., the initial developer of the project. In 2007, Vertikālā pasaule Ltd. was renamed Z Towers Ltd.
International construction company Strabag AG, whose main headquarters is located in Austria, takes part in major European and world-class construction projects. The company has over 500 branches, 60,000 employees, and a scope of construction works that amounts to approximately 11 billion euro annually. Additional information on the company is available at http://www.strabag.com
The Latvian architect office F.L Tadao & Lukševics (NRJA - No Rules Just Architecture) is the Z-Towers project author, which, in 2005, received the Annual Award for Architecture. Additional information on the company is available at www.nrja.lv
Re&Solution is an international finance and real estate consulting company, operating in Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Ukraine and Denmark. Re&Solution has been a Jones Lang LaSalle alliance partner in the Baltic States since September 2007. Additional information on the company is available at www.resolution.lv