The city of Tallinn and the developer of Kaubamaja, TKM Kinnisvara, reached an agreement over the weekend. The agreement ends the long-standing disputes and allows the reconstruction of Kaubamaja to begin.
The main topic of dispute was access to the new building. The building has a parking garage on two underground levels. Kaubamaja announced that the contract resolves all complex issues regarding access.
The Kaubamaja Group selected the winning entry of the architecture competition eight years ago. However, the project did not move forward as the city and the developer could not find a common solution.
In addition to access, there was also disagreement about public transport movement. The city also wanted a detailed plan, not just design conditions. Now it has been agreed that the developers will submit an application to initiate the detailed plan.
TKM Kinnisvara board member Peeter Kütt said that an agreement was reached with the city on the access solution. In cooperation, the detailed plan will be prepared, followed by the start of the design process.
The plan is based on the winning entry 'City Break,' which connects Kaubamaja and Rävala puiestee office building. The spatial solution remains the same, but the detailed plan will solve access to the underground parking levels.
The entrance will be from Rävala puiestee. Since Rävala puiestee will be reconstructed in the coming years, a suitable solution had to be found. The city is also addressing issues of public transport, stormwater collectors, and cooling pipelines.
Kaubamaja board member Erkki Laugus said that the winning entry meets Kaubamaja’s needs well. It allows flexible planning of sales areas and makes the Kaubamaja quarter suitable for cultural events.
It is still unclear whether the gallery between Kaubamaja and Viru Keskus will remain. People's needs are important in the future solution.
For the city, the fate of Kaubamaja street is also important. It should become part of the movement corridor for pedestrians and cyclists. Currently, there are public transport stops on Kaubamaja street.
The Kaubamaja Group said that the new building will increase Kaubamaja's area up to two and a half times.