Telliskivi 62 and 64 and Reisijate St 7 and 9 (hereinafter Balti Jaama Turg Courtyard) is a 3.12-hectare area located between Balti Jaama Turg and the Telliskivi quarter, currently home to, for example, Hektor Container Hostel, One Sixty, Pudel, Sveta Bar, D3, BJT Courtyard Food Street and more. Astri Group, which also owns Balti Jaama Turg, is preparing a detailed plan to create a modern urban space in this area and to expand Balti Jaama Turg.

The main goals of the Balti Jaama Turg Courtyard development are:

to create an environment that is attractive to local residents, all Tallinn residents, and visitors from outside the city;
to design an exciting and safe public space, including several active square areas that take into account logical pedestrian flows, public transport stops, Balti Jaama Turg, and commercial spaces, as well as sunlight, long-distance views, and landscaping;
to connect the buildings in the area with the squares so that they are easily accessible for pedestrians from both the Balti Jaam side and from Kalamaja and Pelgulinn;
to design publicly accessible commercial spaces on the ground floors of the buildings, with entrances planned directly from the street;
to plan universally designed, publicly accessible pedestrian paths running through the quarter.
solving all parking underground allows the ground-level area to be car-free, creating an attractive public space.
to construct and operate the buildings with the smallest possible environmental impact, taking into account all the practices and lessons learned from previous developments (see also Green Astri).

The detailed plan is based on a solution concept developed by KOKO architects. In addition to architects Raivo Kotov, Lembit-Kaur Stöör, and Martin Tago, landscape architect Eleriin Tekko has also contributed to this concept.

Balti Jaama Turg extension and DEPOO - Telliskivi 62 and 64 detailed plan

Heritage protection zone: Tallinn Old Town, 1st-2nd millennium AD – heritage protection area, reg no 2589

Why do the buildings look like this?

It is important to note that the visuals in the detailed plan are so-called volumetric sketches, meaning the final shape and appearance of the buildings will be determined by architectural competitions.

When will construction start and when will it be completed?

The development of the Depoo area will take place in stages: first, we will build one building, learn from it, then develop the next building according to demand, etc. In reality, such an area is developed step by step, and the process will take 10+ years.

DEVELOPMENT STAGES

Like other Astri Group developments, the Balti Jaama Turg Courtyard is planned to be developed in stages. Staged development allows construction to proceed without disrupting existing businesses in adjacent buildings and helps us learn and improve with each new phase. The timeframe for full development of the area is approximately 10+ years.

Stage I

Boiler House

The tsarist-era boiler house building will be preserved, and a 2-3 story extension will be added. The building is planned to house office spaces.

Stage II

Building along Telliskivi Street

A commercial building of up to 7 floors is planned, with uses including accommodation, offices, and catering.

Along Telliskivi Street, the building's ground floor will have a cantilevered setback, allowing for an expanded, covered pedestrian area that provides shelter from rain, snow, or direct sunlight.

An architectural competition will be held for the design of the building.

Stage III

Historic Depot Building

According to heritage protection requirements, Soviet-era extensions attached to and above the historic depot building may be demolished, and the building is planned to be renovated in its historic form.

In front of the depot building, the existing conceptual arrangement will be preserved, with wagons, containers, and other small forms inspired by the historic railway factory quarter, as well as the canopy currently used by Peatus.

Stage IV

Balti Jaama Turg extension and Reisijate St

A larger building complex is planned for the plot, with the lower floors dedicated to the extension of Balti Jaama Turg. The upper, vertically articulated floors are planned for office and accommodation spaces. The height of the development decreases towards Balti Jaama Turg, ensuring a smooth connection with the existing market building. A public pedestrian passage at street level is planned through the building complex, providing an optimal route between Telliskivi and Reisijate streets in a northwest-southeast direction.

Along Reisijate Street, the building's ground floor will have a cantilevered setback, allowing for an expanded, covered pedestrian area that provides shelter from rain, snow, or direct sunlight.

An architectural competition will be held for the design of both the building and Reisijate Street.

Stage V

Accent Building, aka "the Mushroom"

An accent building will be constructed on the site of the 1930s water tower-pump house, creating a contrast with both the Vivarec building on the neighboring plot and the Balti Jaama Turg building, without diminishing their impact. The building is positioned to maximize southern and evening sunlight and views of the Old Town. The building will create a striking and inviting volumetric accent for the quarter and add character to the internal public space. The use of the building will be public: catering, galleries, or similar.

An architectural competition will be held for the design of the building.

Will Reisijate Street become a car thoroughfare?

The width and spatial solution of Reisijate Street must comply with local street principles, and its final solution will be determined by an architectural competition.

It is important to note that cars already drive on Reisijate Street today, and there is a large surface parking lot. In the new solution, all parking will be moved underground, making the surface area car-free. The developer's preference is for Reisijate Street to become a shared urban space with calm traffic, prioritizing pedestrians (as stated in the detailed plan explanatory note). The large silver willows growing along Reisijate Street today are planned to be preserved, as shown in the street sketches of the detailed plan.

The developer wishes for the solution of Reisijate Street to be similar to the recently completed Vana-Kalamaja Street.

Will nightlife and cultural life disappear?

Bringing nightlife and cultural activities to the Depoo area has been a conscious effort by the Balta market team for over 5 years, and it is clearly not in our interest to lose it.

What happened to the tram?

The city decided to abandon the tram line on Reisijate Street, as the proposed tram line would only have served as a turnaround for the existing Kopli tram, not as a separate tram route.

How is parking solved?

A maximum of 350 parking spaces are planned, all located on underground levels.

DETAILED PLAN CONCEPT

Summary map of proposals and restrictions