Topping-out ceremony held for the second “Duck Republik” student residence in Riga

On Wednesday, 6 November, the topping-out ceremony was celebrated at the construction site of the second “Duck Republik” student residence on Slokas iela 51 in Riga, marking the completion of the building’s highest roof structure. This milestone confirms that the project is progressing according to schedule, with the residence set to welcome more than 250 students in the summer of 2026.

The project is developed by Duck Republik, with SIA Merko Būve as the construction partner and architectural solutions provided by SIA Vilnis Mičulis. The total investment in the project amounts to EUR 14.5 million.

Ada Fida, Board Member, Duck Republik, said, “For us, this isn’t just about reaching the top of the building—it’s about seeing a dream take shape, brick by brick. From the very start, our goal wasn’t only to build rooms but to create a place where students feel safe, seen, and at home. A sanctuary in the middle of a new city—their home away from home. We want to fill that space that homesickness can leave, while still keeping the excitement of new beginnings alive. Every day, our team makes a thousand small choices to make sure the students feel cared for, comfortable, and happy. Seeing this come closer to reality reminds me that every one of those decisions matters—and together, they’re what make Duck Republik feel like home.”

“The topping-out ceremony is an important milestone in the construction of any building – it symbolizes the achievement of the structure’s highest point and serves as a gesture of gratitude to everyone who has contributed to its construction. At present, we have completed about 50% of the total contract volume for the Duck Republik student hotel project. All work is progressing according to plan so that the building can be commissioned in June 2026. This is a shared achievement for the entire team – a testament to our professional collaboration and commitment to creating a high-quality, sustainable environment for the future residents of the Duck Republik hotel,” said Jānis Zilgme, Chairman of the Board of “Merko Būve.”

Jevgenijs Ivanovs, Head of Corporate Customer Division at Swedbank, said: “At Swedbank, we’re proud to support projects that strengthen local communities and create long- term value. Developments like Duck Republik not only improve the quality of student living. but also contribute to Riga’s growth as a modern, inclusive, and vibrant city. We see strong potential in projects that combine sustainability, innovation, and social impact.”

The investors of Duck Republik expressed their gratitude to the project team and partners, acknowledging the leadership and dedication of board members Henrik and Ada, as well as the support of “Swedbank” and “Merko Būve” throughout the development process. They also thanked the Riga Municipality for its ongoing cooperation and noted that they look forward to continued collaboration with Rīga Stradiņš University. The investors highlighted that their first investment in Duck Republik Lauvas gave them the confidence to proceed with Duck Republik Slokas — and that standing at this milestone, they are proud of what has been achieved and optimistic about what lies ahead.

The new student residence will be a three-story building featuring shared common spaces, study and recreation areas, co-working rooms, a courtyard, and functional living units designed for students’ everyday needs. This will be the second “Duck Republik” residence in Riga—the first, located on Lauvas iela and opened in 2020 with an investment of EUR 7.5 million, has already grown into an active international student community.

“Duck Republik” aims to bring together students and young professionals from Latvia and abroad — creating an environment where lasting friendships, collaboration networks and professional connections form naturally. More information: https://duckrepublik.eu