Hyatt Place Hotel and Ankru office building completed

Merko has delivered a new hotel and office building on Sadama Street in Tallinn. As of Friday, the Baltics’ first hotel in the international Hyatt chain is open. In the autumn, a fine-dining establishment on the ground floor of Ankru office building will open its doors.

The developers of the complex at Sadama 4 are Estma HPT, Nordox and Wingmacht Arendus. The building with its six above-ground and one below-ground storey and approximately 15,000 square metres of space was constructed by Merko and designed by architect Martin Kinks.

“Our aim was to create Europe’s and possibly the entire world’s best Hyatt Place hotel. Our hope is that we have succeeded, though of course the final judgment will be passed by customers,” said member of the management board of Estma HPT, Igor Viskub.

“I’d like to single out the great general contractor of this project – our partnership with Merko was like a good marriage. It isn’t always clear sailing but as long as there is trust, the most complicated tasks get solved. Like a spouse who is able to resolve all problems, our construction partner was always there for us with support.”

The building was originally slated for completion at the end of 2025, but construction progressed ahead of schedule and the first Hyatt Place in the Baltics welcomed its first guests on 1 August. The Ankru (Anchor) office building still has a few final spaces to lease out and in the months to come a new high-calibre restaurant will be opened in that building.

“In recent years, Estonia has become an increasingly attractive destination for business travellers and holiday-makers and we are pleased to be a part of the next chapter in the story in bringing the first Hyatt hotel to the Baltics,” said managing director of Hyatt Place Tallinn, Kadi Saluoks.

“Being a diverse and inspiring city, Tallinn has something to offer every visitor. Our goal is to create an environment where guests feel comfortable and welcome for business trips, city breaks or just enjoying a holiday. It has been truly satisfying to see the hotel’s vision come to life step by step. We opened our doors on 1 August and the interest has been noteworthy, with the first bookings made well before that,” said Saluoks.

Tallinn’s newest hotel has 169 rooms that meet the highest Hyatt standards. For inquiries about bookings, visit hyatt.com/hyatt-place/en-US/tllzt-hyatt-place-tallinn.

The Zoom Restaurant and lobby bar is set on the ground floor of the hotel and the top floor has a bar with a stylish atmosphere. Hotel patrons enjoy additional amenities in the fitness centre and conference rooms that can be flexibly adapted for hosting various events. The roof deck features views of the Old Town and the Bay of Tallinn.

Over the years, Merko has done a great deal to shape the look of the Tallinn port area, building Tallink ferry company’s office buildings and a spa hotel, the passenger terminal D parking garage and the Old City harbour tram line completed in cooperation with KMG late last year.

“The Hyatt/Ankru complex built in the solid partnership with the contracting entity is a big feather in our cap when it comes to our portfolio. We’re extremely pleased with the contracting entity’s ambitions and focus on the best possible result and the fact that Hyatt itself praised the work in their site visit. The new building is a standout landmark for everyone going from the port to the Old Town or heading to the terminal for a ferry departure,” said the director of Merko Ehitus Estonia Jaan Mäe about Merko’s latest contribution to the capital city’s development.

As a testament to the good cooperation with the investors, Merko installed a Kalle Pruuden sculpture titled Ankur (Anchor) in front of the building. Around three metres high and custom-designed for the location, the golden work is a potent symbol bespeaking stability and security. At sea, lowering an anchor marks a pause before resuming headway, and in construction, an anchor means a connecting element. A hotel offers a similar respite and sense of safe haven.

“As a sculptor, I always deal with the form aside as well as conveying the main theme of the work, and I try to find a fascinating interpretation and diversity in both creating and displaying the work. An anchor in this location reminds us of the significance of anchoring, offers aesthetic pleasure and piques the curiosity of passersby, inviting them to ask why such an artwork and why here?” said Kalle Pruuden.

For Merko, Anchor is the latest addition to the artworks it has commissioned to enrich public space in the city for residents and visitors alike. The lighting installation Nest and several sculptures can be enjoyed at Noblessner port complex, while sculptures by Jass Kaselaan and Heigo Jelle can be found at Uus-Veerenni and Pruuden’s Cat-Tail can be seen at Lahekalda residential development.