Yesterday, representatives from the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments, the Defence Resources Agency, Defence Forces and Merko laid the cornerstone for a new complex in Tartu where agencies in the Ministry of Defence’s area of government will be headquartered.
I’m pleased that we have reached the next major step to move agencies in our jurisdiction from outdated premises to a new contemporary building. The new building will provide better working conditions and significantly reduce overhead expenses,” said Peeter Karja, manager of the southern portfolio of the Estonian Centre for Defence investments.
The joint building in the Raadi district of the city is for units administered by the Ministry of Defence – mainly the Estonian Defence Forces, the Defence Resources Agency and the Centre for Defence Investments – which are currently scattered around Tartu and operating on outdated premises. The new building in Raadi will have a planned 100 jobs, meeting rooms and close to 200 barracks-style lodging places. The net area is expected to be 4700 square metres.
Director General of the Defence Resources Agency Anu Rannaveski said that the agency had been in its current location in Tartu for more than 20 years and the building was clearly not keeping up with the modern needs. “The new national defence agencies’ complex is an important and eagerly anticipated step to create modern conditions for employees that will support their work.”
In November 2024, the Centre for Defence Investments and Merko Ehitus Eesti signed a design-build contract for the joint building. An innovative alliance procurement model was used to award the contract – in the process of tender submission, the companies could solve cases and take part in development workshops.
“For Merko, working on the basis of the alliance model was a very valuable experience. In the course of thorough preparations, all nuances of the project were analysed in detail and the necessary decisions were made keeping in mind the best possible end result. Through a solid, efficient partnership between engineers, builder and customer, preconditions have been laid for a smooth construction according to plans,” said Chairman of the Board of Merko Ehitus Eesti Jaan Mäe.
The joint national defence building in Tartu will be completed by the end of 2026.
