“Everything goes to waste, it’s a pity!” A once noble, unknown to many manor in Ulbrok abandoned to destruction

The house of the lords of the Ulbroka manor was built around 1800 according to the design of the Riga architect K. Häberland. It is a classicist style building with facade columns characteristic of the style and a decorative balcony with a view of Ulbrok Lake. After the rule of the lords, during the first free state, a sanatorium was established in the manor. After the Second World War, the Ulbroka manor was transformed according to the needs of the Riga radio station. In the following years, the development of the radio station in Ulbrok continued, both new masts were built and increasingly powerful transmitters were installed. In the 80s of the last century, they provided even two-thirds of the radio coverage of the territory of Latvia.

When Latvia regained its independence, the need for such a radio infrastructure decreased and later completely disappeared, so it was abandoned. Being owned by the state, the manor decayed, was not properly maintained and degraded. The building was attacked, looted by hotheads and demolished.

A resident of the area, Sarma, who said in a conversation with “Bez Tabu” that she speaks for many, expressed her regret that the once magnificent building has been brought down to the hilt. During the years of the revival, Sarma, together with several other fighters of the revival, protected the manor building and its radio infrastructure from being captured by the Omonians.

In the Internet news archive, you can read several publications in which the municipality stated that it would not refuse to acquire the manor and organize it, but it turned out to be just talk. After several unsuccessful auctions, the state managed to sell the manor in 2014. It was purchased by SIA “Buts” for slightly more than 100 thousand euros. After the purchase, the private owner also presented development plans in the area, however, for 10 years, there is no sign of the manor being put in order.

Will the manor building, for which its location on the outskirts of Riga opens development opportunities, be repaired? Find out in the story.

Report an error in the article

Highlight the incorrect text and press Ctrl+Enter.

Mark the wrong text and report it!