The district covers most of central Riga and is made up of the neighbourhoods of Vecrīga (Old Riga) and Centrs (the outer center of the city).

The district, as most others, started to take shape in the late 19th century.

After the Latvian War of Independence the term 'Center of Riga' (Rīgas centrs) was used.

After the Soviet occupation of Latvia, the Kirov District (Kirova rajons), named after Sergei Kirov, was created in January 1941 by combining Centrs and a part of Vidzeme Suburb.

The city was divided into six defined districts to facilitate Soviet police surveillance and management of nationalized properties.