The new Keskturg project began in the summer of 2019, when Astri Group acquired the plot and announced an architectural competition. Out of three renowned firms, the winner was KOKO Architects, whose work the jury praised for its excellent public space concept and proportions.
Astri Group's goal is to give the market a modern look and enrich community life. Similar to the Balti Jaama Market and Lõunakeskus projects, we aim to create an attractive living environment at Keskturg, where commerce, services, homes, and businesses support one another.
ARCHITECTURAL SOLUTION
Authors: KOKO Architects
History
The planned area is located in the city center of Tallinn, in the Keldrimäe district, in a block bordered by Lastekodu, Keldrimäe, Mardi, and Liivamäe streets. Today, Keskturg operates here, which is a popular shopping destination. The current image of the Keldrimäe district is largely shaped by the residential construction that began in the 1970s. During the 1944 bombing, a large part of the district's wooden buildings were destroyed. New tall panel buildings were built in place of the remaining structures. Keskturg, located in the middle of the district, was established in 1947. Before that, the city market, known as the New Market, was next to the Estonia Theatre, and even earlier, the city market was on Town Hall Square.
Access and Development of Buildings
On a large scale, the area is divided into two along the north-south axis. To the east—on the Lastekodu, Keldrimäe, and Mardi side—are the market and office buildings, while to the west are apartment buildings. The main reasons for this division are:
- To ensure the new market building takes maximum account of pedestrian approaches from Tartu Road and Juhkentali Street (public transport stops)
- To encourage people to move freely through the market area, making it a natural part of passing through the block
- To clearly separate the apartment building area from the market and offices
- To enable the area to be developed in two stages, so that the old market can partially operate while the new market is being built
The interior of the block is planned to be car-free (except for service transport) and easily accessible in different directions. The internal streets that cross the block are connected to the surrounding streets: from the north to Torupilli ots and F.R.Kreutzwaldi Street, from the east to Jakobi Street, and from the west to Mardi Street—all internal streets lead to the square. Entrances to the block serve as gateways—the space narrowing towards the square is filled with container greenery and street art. For those coming from Torupilli ots, the gateway is formed by the cantilevered volume of the market building covering the open market. From F.R.Kreutzwaldi Street, entrants are greeted by a water sculpture. On the Jakobi Street side, there is a park and market, and in the northwest corner, there is a landscaped pocket park.
Area Perimeter
The perimeter of the area is designed to be as green as possible, with recreational and play areas. A square will be created in the interior of the block, connecting the market and the remaining buildings into a whole. The square is visually connected to the rooftop gardens and viewpoints on the buildings. For those coming from Tartu Road/Stockmann, the entrance to the block is marked by a planned sculpture/water element.
The second gateway is the market building itself.
The Square
The Keskturg area has the urban potential to become the center of the community. The Juhkentali and Keldrimäe communities see this area as the heart of their neighborhoods, as there is sufficient urban density and activity here. The market is an attraction that brings people from all over the city. The key space that characterizes or defines the center is the square. A square will be created in the center of the area, connecting the market and the other buildings and serving as a meeting point for different directions of movement. The square is visually connected to the rooftop gardens and viewpoints on the buildings. Events can be held here and café terraces can be set up. In the center of the square stands a sculpture—the market sparrow.
The Park
An important accent is also the planned park at the intersection of Jakobi Street and the market axis, where it is possible to establish tall greenery and which is open to the evening sun.
Market Building
The market building brings together the outdoor market, indoor market, a large grocery store, market warehouses and loading area, underground parking, and offices of various character under one roof. The market is characterized by a large roof area; in this solution, it is the undercroft of the office, which, with its flowing form and wooden surface, runs through the entire market function.
Outdoor Market
The outdoor market is a square located under the cantilevered part of the building, giving it the effect of a true gateway. From the outdoor market, you can move smoothly into the indoor market and the central square (where the outdoor market can be expanded on special occasions). The outdoor market is illuminated, equipped with sales counters, and has a reserved area for sales from vans.
Indoor Market
The indoor market consists of various sales areas, street food, and seating areas. The building's central atrium and the different mezzanine levels of the indoor market (the Mardi street side is higher) open up views to the grocery store on the -1 floor. Movement between the levels is by escalators and travelators. The building has elevators and stairs. The indoor market has three main entrances:
- from the outdoor market
- from the central square
- from the park
The entire market is serviced by the loading area on the Keldrimäe street side. From the loading area, there is easy access to the market hall, outdoor market, and storage spaces on the -1 floor (freight elevators, scissor lifts). The loading area is also where market waste is collected and sorted.
Parking
Parking for the quarter is located underground. Along Lastekodu street, parking spaces are planned for two buses and for taxis. The underground car park is divided into two according to the construction stages. When fully completed, it will form a single whole. The market parking entrance is planned from the roundabout at Lastekodu street and Torupilli ots. The car park is on the -2 floor and has 216 spaces. The apartment buildings' parking is on the -1 and -2 floors, with entrances from Lastekodu and Mardi streets. The apartment buildings' car park has a total of 233 spaces. The entrances to the car parks are positioned outside the building volumes, as close to the street as possible, to save space on the 1st floor and allow its use for other purposes.
Construction and Finishing Materials
The structure of the market building is very ambitious and distinctive, which is understandable for a public building of city-wide significance. Figuratively, the building rests on three legs. The entire structure resembles a bridge and will be built as a spatial steel truss. The undercroft of the building is finished with wood. The facades are mainly glass.
