Shopping center 'Domina Shopping' receives international sustainability certificate BREEAM 'Very Good'; Investments exceed €25,000

The shopping center Domina Shopping has received the internationally recognized sustainability certificate BREEAM In-Use with the rating “Very Good,” confirming its compliance with high standards in energy efficiency, environmental management, and user well-being. The certification was carried out by Vesta Consulting, assessing the building’s technical condition and maintenance, as well as its resource use and environmental sustainability performance. Total investments exceeded €25,000.

Sustainability as a competitive advantage

Dina Bunce, director of Domina Shopping: “The BREEAM In-Use ‘Very Good’ certificate currently represents the highest level achieved in Latvia’s shopping center segment, including Domina Shopping. This recognition is important to us not only as proof of responsible management but also as a competitive advantage. Increasingly, both international and local brands choose to develop their business in sustainable buildings - and now we can confidently say that the retail spaces offered by Domina Shopping meet these standards: they are environmentally friendly, energy-efficient, and future-ready”. 

Efficient resource management and environmentally friendly solutions

According to the BREEAM In-Use assessment, Domina Shopping stands out in several key categories that characterize modern and responsible building management. The highest rating was achieved in the resilience and safety category, particularly recognizing the building’s infrastructure, flood risk management, and the quality of its protection systems.

Energy efficiency was also highly rated, thanks to the extensive replacement of lighting with LED systems and an automated climate control system ensuring a comfortable and sustainable indoor environment. In water resource management, the use of efficient water mixers and a new public drinking water refill station received high marks, while in the resource circularity category, the center was recognized for its well-organized waste sorting system and promotion of biodiversity, including the installation of birdhouses on the shopping center’s roof.

Edgars Eķis, technical director of Domina Shopping: “The BREEAM In-Use certificate is proof of our daily work, where technical precision and systematic management go hand in hand with a sustainability mindset. We continuously improve the building’s engineering systems, monitoring, and maintenance processes to ensure safety, energy efficiency, and long-term durability. I would like to express special thanks to the engineering team of Industry Service Partner, who ensure the daily maintenance and technical functionality of all building systems – the entire center’s operation depends on their professionalism. My sincere thanks also go to Vesta Consulting for their professional collaboration throughout the certification process – their expertise and methodical approach helped structure and document all our achievements so that the final result accurately reflected Domina Shopping’s technical and management quality.”

A path toward sustainable development

Opened in 2003, Domina Shopping has undergone significant improvements in energy efficiency and facility management over the years, supported by investments from EfTEN Capital. The new BREEAM In-Use “Very Good” certificate is a testament to all that has been achieved – professional management, engineering modernization, and a focused effort to enhance environmental quality.

Today, Domina Shopping offers not only diverse shopping, dining, and entertainment experiences but also an environmentally friendly environment designed for human well-being and ecological balance.

Eugenijus Šapel, Head of the Sustainable Construction Department at Vesta Consulting: “Domina Shopping is a great example of how effective collaboration between BREEAM auditors, and the shopping center management team can lead to successful improvements in the building’s sustainability. In addition to its energy-efficient equipment and great location, sustainability of the building was improved by increasing its ecological value through installation of bird boxes and implementation of water efficient equipment. We are happy to be a part of this journey towards creating more sustainable asset”.

About BREEAM

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is one of the world’s leading and most recognized sustainability assessment standards, applied in more than 90 countries. The “Very Good” certificate confirms that a building meets high standards of environmental performance, energy efficiency, and occupant well-being - a globally recognized mark of quality for sustainable buildings.

About  Domina Shopping

“Domina Shopping” is one of the largest and most popular shopping centers in Riga, where more than 170 stores and services are available in one place, as well as a wide selection of recreation and entertainment for the whole family. The center is home to the largest indoor amusement park in the Baltics, “Skypark Domina” and “Apollo Kino”, which makes it an attractive destination for both shopping and leisure. “Domina Shopping” is owned and managed by SIA “EfTEN Domina”. The center is located in a convenient location in Riga - at Ieriķu Street 3, between A.Čaka and Brīvības Streets - and meets the highest energy efficiency standards (ISO 50001, BREEAM).