The story of Ulbroka Manor begins in the mid-16th century, when Livonian governor Cardinal Nicholas Radziwill granted lands along the Piķurga River to Riga councilman Heinrich von Ulenbrock. By the late 1500s, the estate was known as Stubbensee, though the family name—Ulenbrock—soon lent itself to the evolving title Ulenbrokhof. The manor was both a residence and a working estate, with a growing population of farmers, craftsmen, and tenants. Maps and documents from the 17th century reveal that the area included multiple homesteads and mills, becoming a stable economic and social center in the Salaspils parish area. The Ulenbrock lineage maintained stewardship for over a century before the estate passed into the hands of another notable family—the Zimmermanns.

It was during the Zimmermann family's tenure in the late 18th century that Ulbroka gained its hallmark architectural presence. Under Leonard von Zimmermann’s ownership, the manor house was constructed in 1800, designed by celebrated Riga architect Christoph Haberland. Built in the Palladian neoclassical style, the two-storey brick structure blended symmetry, grace, and Enlightenment ideals. With salon-style halls, an elevated main floor for receiving guests, and grand views toward the surrounding parkland, the manor reflected both function and refinement. Haberland’s influence—seen also in the now-lost Carnikava Manor—endured through Ulbroka’s elegant columns, proportionate layout, and formal entrance courts, which echoed the spirit of 18th-century French rural estates.

Beyond its role as a residence, the manor became a modest center of rural industry. In the 1800s, Ulbroka hosted tanneries, a paper mill, distilleries, and small-scale manufactories producing leather goods for both local use and state contracts. A notable example is the leatherworks managed by I. Timofeyev, which provided footwear for the Russian army. Additional properties on the manor lands included taverns, farmland, and a network of utility buildings. The estate also played a role in archaeological and cultural studies, as 19th-century owner Dr. Jakob Heinrich Buhse, a respected member of the Riga Historical Society, conducted excavations and donated findings to regional museums—adding a scholarly layer to the manor’s legacy.

Following Latvia’s declaration of independence, Ulbroka Manor entered a new phase as a public institution. In the 1920s, its ownership was transferred to Riga’s municipal authority, and the manor was adapted into a sanatorium for children. Known as the Ulbroka Children’s Colony, the facility hosted summer camps and convalescent care for hundreds of young patients—particularly those recovering from tuberculosis. Descriptions from the 1930s depict spacious sunlit halls, reading rooms, ping-pong tables, and a well-stocked bilingual library. The estate’s grounds, once private gardens, became a space for open-air concerts, Midsummer celebrations, and sports events. In this way, Ulbroka’s noble past gracefully transitioned into service for the broader Latvian public.

During the Second World War, the manor briefly housed a German military signal school. Following the war, the site was repurposed again—this time as a national broadcasting facility. From the late 1940s, Ulbroka became home to a powerful TELEFUNKEN 50kw transmitter and was the central location for the “Soviet Latvia” radio station. The building was modified to suit broadcasting needs, and nearby towers were constructed to support signal transmission. The facility served the region for decades, remaining operational until the early 21st century. While the internal layout was altered for technical purposes, the manor's historic exterior remained intact, preserving its architectural silhouette and original elegance.

In 2014, Ulbroka Manor and its surrounding land parcels were acquired by SIA “BUTS,” a private educational institution with plans to incorporate the site into future training and development activities. The building is currently not in active use, but retains potential for restoration. While some additions and alterations were made over the years, the core structure continues to reflect its 18th-century origins. As discussions about its future continue, Ulbroka stands as an enduring piece of Latvian heritage—an estate that has served nobility, scholars, children, and technology with equal dignity.

From noble lineages and Enlightenment architecture to public service and national broadcasting, Ulbroka Manor represents the many phases of Latvia’s cultural and institutional development. Its story mirrors the country’s own: adaptive, multifaceted, and grounded in both place and purpose. As interest in regional heritage grows, Ulbroka remains a site of promise—offering not only lessons in architecture and history, but a reminder of how one estate can embody centuries of Latvian transformation. Whether as an educational hub, a restored cultural venue, or a quietly preserved landmark, Ulbroka continues to wait—patiently, gracefully, and still standing.