Architects from the United States met Riga Chief Architect Janis Dripe to discuss the new U.S. embassy building in Riga

Riga, September 27, 2006. -- Today U.S. Ambassador to Latvia Catherine Todd Bailey and Riga Chief Architect Jānis Dripe met with a team of architects and designers from Washington D.C. to discuss the new U.S. embassy chancery building project.

The meeting was organized to highlight Riga’s architectural heritage, so that the design for the new embassy may be in keeping with Riga’s building traditions. Following the meeting Janis Dripe led a tour of Riga to show the U.S. architects and designers some of the city’s most famous buildings.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Ambassador Bailey noted, “Building a new US embassy in Riga is another sign of the strong bonds between our two countries. We certainly recognize the importance of Riga’s architecture and want to keep in mind its heritage when building our new chancery.”

The agreement to purchase the land for the new embassy was signed by U.S. Ambassador Catherine Todd Bailey and Chairman of Riga Municipality Aivars Aksenoks last week. The new chancery will be located on the corner of Kalnciema and Remtes street and is planned to be built by 2010.

U.S. Embassy, Riga, Public Affairs Section
Smilsu iela 7
Riga, LV 1050
Phone: 371 750-9022
Internet: www.usembassy.lv
Media specialist's e-mail: ruklisk@state.gov; dilanes@state.gov