- Address: Alberta iela 2, Centra rajons, Rīga, LV-1010, Latvia;
- Architect: M.O. Eisenstein;
- Built: in 1906 year.
Riga is one of the favorite places of European tourism. This is not surprising, as in this city the modernity with historical values, objects of culture and unmatched mastery of architects and city planners of the past centuries have perfectly harmoniously merged.
The first thing that tourists visit in the capital of any state is the old city center. It is these places with their historical streets and original facades of buildings that help to represent the image of the whole city. One of the most memorable architectural sights of Riga is the Profitable House located in the old center .
Profitable house - history
The historical center of Riga is Alberta Street, which is the main place for walking and studying the history of the city. The street was laid down for the 700th anniversary of Riga and was named after the city's founder, Albert Buksgewden. Despite the fact that the street was being built at a very fast pace, it did not affect her style and charm. This place is deservedly considered the pearl of the architectural style of art nouveau. The most prominent businessmen and successful people of their time dreamed of settling down on Alberta Street in the center of Riga. Everyone tried to build a building in perfect style. Therefore, we can safely say that Alberta Street is an open-air museum in the city of Riga.
One of the most remarkable buildings that are located here is Boguslavsky's Profitable House. The end of its construction was in 1906. This was the last successful project of the architect M.O. Eisenstein, made in the style of "decorative modern", after Eisenstein worked in other styles. In general, at the beginning of the twentieth century, the phenomenon of profitable houses was very common in Europe and the Russian Empire. The apartment house was a multi-apartment building, living quarters in which were leased. Later the lower floors in such houses began to be converted into offices, offices, cafes and shops.
Initially, the building belonged to the Riga businessman and the landlord Boguslavsky, but in the course of time the owners changed. So from 1916 to 1930, the house became owned by the owner Luba. At this time, the midwives' courses worked on the first floors and the women's maternity clinic functioned.
In different years in the Boguslavsky Affair house lived prominent cultural and political figures, people with world names stopped.
Profitable house - features of the building
The building makes a tremendous impression, thanks to the dimensions and artfully executed architectural elements and transitions. M.O. Eisenstein used an interesting technique when planning a building, called a false floor. This was conceived immediately for several reasons: to add more sunlight, thanks to an additional row of windows, and also to bring to harmony the overall architectural style of the facade.
In addition, the building is characterized by such architectural features that can be seen in the photo of the Profitable House:
- Sympathy for classicism can be called the presence of two sculpted female figures with torches decorating the entrance to the building. Silhouettes are dressed in wet clothes, demonstrating the beautiful features of women's bodies, which was typical for the classicism of the late XIX - early XX centuries.
- The main entrances to the building are located in the courtyard, which led to a wide passage. The entrance is guarded by two sphinxes, whose images were painted by the architect himself as a child and embodied with great skill in adulthood.
- Everything in the shape of the building tended to mythology and symbolism. So, four floors conditionally represent four elements, which is reflected in the facade cladding, in the transition of color from gray to terracotta tiles.
How to get to the Profitable House?
The apartment house is located on Alberta Street, 2a. To reach it will not be difficult, because the street is not far from the city center. If you take for the landmark of the Dome Cathedral , the walk will take about 15 minutes.