The former Latvian National Library building on the corner of Elizabetes and Krišjāņa Barona, Rīga

The building on the corner of Elizabetes iela and Krišjāņa Barona iela was put up in 1910 for the artisans' credit union, to a design by the architect Ernests Pole (1872-1914). It is an example of neoclassicism, with picturesque pilasters and columns, classical tiling, festoons and other architectural and ornamental detail.
It originally housed lavish restaurants along with newspaper and magazine editorial offices. From 1956 to 2014 it was home to the Latvian National Library, founded in 1919.
After the library moved to Gaismas pils, the building was put up for auction. For two years they tried to sell it and no buyer came forward, so the starting price was lowered step by step: at the first auction on 24 September 2015 the price was 3.87 million euro, and in August 2017, at the seventh attempt, it went under the hammer for 1.94 million euro. The company Bibliotēkas nams bought it at auction.
The building was then renovated: as of 2021 commercial premises on the ground floor and apartments above were being sold.
<h3>Where it is</h3>
The corner of Elizabetes iela and Krišjāņa Barona iela, Rīga.