Ülemiste Shopping Centre expansion plans unveiled
Text Mark Taylor Photo Ülemiste Center
On June 19, a public discussion was held to present the preliminary design solutions for the expansion of Ülemiste Shopping Centre and its surrounding area. This included the centre’s most significant expansion to date, which aims to add more than 60,000 square metres of retail and office space.
In May, the Tallinn city government approved the initiation of the detailed planning for expanding Ülemiste Shopping Centre, which is already one of the largest in the Baltics.
According to Guido Pärnits, CEO of Ülemiste Centre, this third expansion is a natural progression. “I foresee that the entire nature of the Ülemiste area will change completely in the coming years. The Rail Baltica terminal will be built here, Tallinn Airport will expand, and Ülemiste City will continuously grow – Ülemiste will become the main gateway to Tallinn,” Pärnits explained. He added that a significant portion of the development will be office and service spaces, with a smaller portion dedicated to retail. Future visitors to the Ülemiste area, whether tourists or employees of the nearby offices, will need a broader range of services than what is currently available. Plans include health and medical services, and there is even consideration of opening a library.
Kadi Metsmaa, CEO of Esplan, the company behind the preliminary design solution, emphasised that the solution is based on modern urban space development principles. Renowned architects Lever Lõhmus and Erik Ristoja, who have international experience, were involved in creating a concept suitable for the area. “For an experienced client, it was important that the planning solution be future-proof in terms of environmental friendliness, architectural functionality, and flexibility. This is why the preliminary solution has been developed over a long period. The multifunctional development, well integrated with the rest of the city and considering various modes of movement, will create new value for the area,” said Metsmaa.
The detailed plan includes various urban space solutions and a multifunctional park connecting Tallinn Airport, the Rail Baltica terminal, Ülemiste Centre, and Ülemiste City as part of the expansion.
Kristi Grišakov, Head of the Detailed Planning Service at the Tallinn Urban Planning Department, noted the importance of ensuring a safe network of paths for pedestrians and cyclists. The plan must include existing, planned, and designed roads and bicycle storage options. She added that the commercial space must also serve as an excellent public space. One of the main objectives is to reduce the high proportion of surface parking and create a new, green, and activity-rich urban space associated with the shopping centre.
In the first phase of the planned expansion, the centre’s eastern wing along Suur-Sõjamäe Road will be developed. The plan allows for up to five commercial buildings with a maximum height of 12 above-ground floors and three underground floors. The park, connecting the Ülemiste terminal and the airport, will be built, with the new main entrance of Ülemiste Centre located along its edge.
Opened in 2004, Ülemiste Centre is the largest shopping and entertainment centre in Estonia, covering 125,000 square metres and containing nearly 230 different stores and service providers.
To learn more about this and similar topicsRail Baltica Shopping Centre Tallinn Tallinn Airport Ülemiste Centre
