Construction of a business hub called Kasvuhoone (literal translation: “the Growth House”) is about to get under way in the Krulli Quarter. Conceived as the centrepiece of the North Tallinn city district’s newest complex, it will be completed by the second quarter of 2028 at Volta 1f.
Under the construction contract inked on Friday, 29 May by Merko and AS Krulli Kvartal, we will restore the old mechanic’s shop at the historical Krulli metalworks in Tallinn into a modern enterprise and innovation centre with a footprint of more than 17,000 square metres. Heritage conservation restrictions, rigorous architectural and public space requirements, resource-conscious reuse and low carbon footprint principles will all be observed.
The building permits for the high-profile buildings in the first phase of the Krulli Quarter – the Kasvuhoone, the Events Centre and the first three apartment buildings – were recently issued by the city. The construction of the first residential buildings here is still in a preparatory phase, but Merko has already launched the construction of the Events Centre and the necessary road and utility infrastructure for the functioning of the entire complex. The first new buildings at Krulli will be completed by 2027. The Kasvuhoone will open its doors in 2028.
“Krulli Quarter isn’t just a real estate development; it’s like a new district that connects the industrial past with contemporary enterprise and community lifestyles,” said Indrek Hääl, the CEO of AS Krulli Kvartal. “Kasvuhoone will be its heart. I’m glad that the construction of the first phase is now ready to get off to an energetic start.”
“It’s an honour for us to be the construction partner for Krulli Quarter and renovate the main building in the development into something new – the Kasvuhoone,” said Jaan Mäe, CEO of Merko Estonia. “We’ve already started on the work needed for the functioning of the Events Centre and the entire quarter, and we will additionally be building the first three apartment buildings in cooperation with Krulli. The sites encompass works of a very disparate nature, drawing on our longstanding experience to realize the vision of the customer and top local and international architects for this new part of the city.”
When the Kasvuhoone is completed, this Krulli’s main building will be home to start-ups, flexible co-working spaces, business accelerators, creative studios and offices. There will also be a common area with a food court, small shops and exhibition spaces.
The building was designed in collaboration between the Danish architectural firm Cobe and Estonia’s KOKO Architects. A five-storey wooden tower rising above the old limestone walls will be the iconic landmark of Krulli Quarter. Besides preserving the facades and various other historical layers, original concrete pillars, beams, panels, stairs, cranes and many other elements from the old industrial halls will be reused.
The size of the entire area under development at Krulli is 10 hectares and includes more than 100,000 m2 of above-ground construction. Over 10 years, the quarter will come to have close to 20 buildings with more than 600 homes and 3000 jobs. The first phase of construction amounts to 34,200 m². The developer’s investment into establishing the quarter will be roughly 3000 million euros.
