WHERE SHALL WE MEET?
IN KURZEME!
The shopping centre KURZEME is known as one of the most popular meeting place in Liepaja for a long time, and its location has aways been related with sale – initially the market, then ARMY ECONOMY STORE, but in the Soviet times it was the TRADE CENTRE KURZEME.
Every client
is
our priority
Total area
9403 m2
Business centre –
office space
Every client
is
our priority
Total area
9403 m2
Business centre –
office space
Located
in the city centre
More than 50 stores and service provision places
Free parking place for the clients
of shopping centre
Located
in the city centre
More than 50 stores and service provision places
Free parking place for the clients
of shopping centre
Conveniently reached
by public transport
5 floors
Bike
stands
Conveniently reached
by public transport
5
floors
Bike
stands
More than 2 000 000
visitors every year
More than
200 workplaces
Nursing
room
More than 2 000 000
visitors every year
More than
200 workplaces
Nursing
room
HISTORY
The centre of Liepaja City stores centuries. The very heart of the city was full of life already since the 17th century! Historically, here was the new market, but in 1910, when it was moved, the city authority decided to make here an open garden with roses, and in 1911 it got its name – Rose square and became the heart of Liepaja – a favourite historical meeting and gathering place.
The ARMY ECONOMY STORE that was opened in 1935 is regarded as the predecessor of the shopping centre KURZEME which was the most scandalous building of that time.
There were broad discussions about whether the building and economic store is necessary. The Jewish traders stood against the construction of the store, and so did most of the members of Liepaja Council, saying that it will only worsen the economic bloom in Liepaja. But Latvian Society of Liepaja insisted that the store is necessary, because it will standardize the prices and thus will be beneficial to consumers. All discussions were ended due to political changes of 15 May 1934, and a year later – on 18 May 1935 the largest trade company in Liepaja opens the doors to purchasers. During the World War II the ARMY ECONOMY STORE is ruined.
In 1959, the first articles appear in the magazines about the construction of the planned department sore in the place of the pre-war ARMY ECONOMY STORE.
It will be a new four-storey department store and will cost 7.6 million rubbles. The building was designed by the architect Goldenbergs and new engineer Krastkalns from Riga. According to the design, groceries will be sold on the first floor, manufactured goods – on the second and third floor. The fourth floor is anticipated for store-rooms and administrative rooms.
The construction works were commenced in 1961 and the trade house was commissioned in 1962. It was visited by many persons. During ten year, the TRADE HOUSE KURZEME earned the appreciation of many Liepaja inhabitants and city guests due to its visual appearance, skillful and kind employees. This is evidenced also by the number of visitors – ca. 40 000 purchasers a day.
In 1994, the TRADE HOUSE KURZEME was placed for privatization and the times of change begin, when in 1999 the store is closed and its condition continued to get worse over the next years. In 2014, it was purchased by a private company to renovate the trade house and make it a favourite purchasing and meeting place for the inhabitants and guests of Liepaja. On 9 April 2005 the TRADE HOUSE KURZEME opens the doors for the visitors.
When the owners changed at the end of 2018, different renovation and environment improvement works were started in the trade centre. At the end of 2021, the TRADE HOUSE KURZEME gets its name SHOPPING CENTRE KURZEME and new visual identity.
Currently, more than 50 different stores, service provision places, cafe's are placed in the four floors and a business centre is placed on the upper floor with contemporary environment, wide and homely offices with a view to the urban environment. One of the most rapidly growing companies in Latvia – Giraffe 360 has found his home here.
Let's meet in KURZEME to feel
THE LIFE IN THE CITY CENTRE!
Photo:
Liepaja Museum, Liepāja 400 fellowship, E.Pohevičs, private stocks, shopping centre KURZEME archive
