04.02.2026
The rapid development of the Ülemiste area will transform it into the new city center of Tallinn in the coming years, which, thanks to its transport hub, will bring not only local and foreign tourists, but also international companies and investors, thus contributing to the economy of the entire country.
The Ülemiste district is currently the fastest developing area in Tallinn, and thanks to its location near the capital's most important transport hub, it will become the new heart of Tallinn in the coming years. Tallinn Airport, Rail Baltic Estonia and Mainor Ülemiste are working together on this idea, investing nearly 500 million euros in the area's development over the next few years, transforming the former industrial area of Lasnamäe into a modern city gateway that would also attract international companies and investors.
The chairman of the board of Mainor Ülemiste believes that in just a few years, a second city heart will emerge in Ülemiste, complementing the historic old town and the Telliskivi creative campus. Sten Pärnitsa according to Rail Baltica, which connects international and local railway lines, trams, buses and the airport into one space.
"Together with the Rail Baltica Linda terminal, Ülemiste Centre and Tallinn Airport, we are creating an area that is no longer just a transport hub, but a city within a city – a modern, dense public space, pedestrian-friendly and international city centre," said Pärnits.
The impact of such a center extends beyond the borders of Tallinn. “Countries and cities are competing strongly for investments, foreign visitors, conferences, talents and head offices. Tallinn and Estonia have both set a goal to attract more investments and foreign visitors here, and an attractive gateway with good urban space and the conference center we are developing will contribute to this,” he explains, explaining that Ülemiste will become a place where Europe reaches Estonia and vice versa. Already now, Ülemiste City is the third economic city in Estonia based on labor taxes, with a total turnover of companies of nearly 3 billion in 2024. By 2030, 25,000 people will live, study and work in the city.
In order to create a dignified connection between Rail Baltica, the airport and Ülemiste Centre, a European park the size of Vabaduse väljak has been planned in Ülemiste City. In addition, there are plans to build a skyscraper designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, the architects of the Linda terminal, in the campus, which will house one of the largest in Estonia, a 4700 m² conference centre, the tax revenue of which will be 140 million for the state. In 2028, a spa of up to 6000 m² should also be opened in the campus, which will include a family spa with water, sauna and children's areas, an adult spa and restaurants. There are also plans to establish a residential area in the campus with four apartment buildings and a total of 400 apartments.
State Architect Tõnis Arjuse According to him, the emergence of a new city center is logical, because historically, urban space has always emerged around major traffic nodes. “Estonia should not be developed like a patchwork quilt, which is why it is positive that the region is viewed as a whole,” he said. The multifunctional living and working environment being created for Ülemiste is the right direction to move in, because today's urban space users and visitors are increasingly demanding. “Therefore, urban space must be well-thought-out, comfortable and of high quality, because in other parts of Europe they are used to it.” According to him, it is equally important to think about creating organic connections with the rest of the city so that Ülemiste becomes a logical part of the capital.
Also the Deputy Mayor of Tallinn Tiit Terik agrees that the city needs to make smart decisions on how to improve the mobility of the area. From June, the area will be accessible by tram again, but some bus routes also need to be considered. He also confirms that the city would really like to see a 10,000-seat multifunctional large hall in Ülemiste, but its financing depends on the decision of the state and the Estonian Olympic Committee.
Tallinn Airport forecasts that by 2030 the number of passengers will increase from the current 3,5 million to 5 million, which is why the largest development project in the airport's history was initiated last year, which is estimated to cost up to 75 million euros. "The terminal expansion is necessary to ensure smooth, safe and high-quality passenger service over the next 10-15 years," explains Riivo Tuvike, Chairman of the Board of Tallinn Airport. To this end, innovative self-service solutions will be introduced to the airport, for example, passengers will be able to check in their luggage even more conveniently in the second half of 2026, and in the future they will also be able to board their own aircraft through automatic gates boarding areas. The extension will also solve several existing bottlenecks. It is also important that in the future, passengers who start their journey with Rail Baltica and wish to continue from Tallinn Airport will be able to drop off their luggage at the starting point of their journey and it will go directly to their destination.
According to Tuvikes, the comprehensive development of the region creates a good basis for attracting international companies to Estonia, and the airport real estate development, which is located on properties around the runway, is primarily aimed at companies directly or indirectly related to aviation. He emphasizes that while we already have a campus in the Ülemiste area that supports the development of the Estonian aviation sector to a large extent, our neighboring Latvians are still in the development phase with theirs.
According to Anvar Salomets, Chairman of the Board of Rail Baltic Estonia, Rail Baltica Ülemiste station has approximately 2 million users per year, but it is important to understand that Rail Baltica does not only connect us with Europe, but also ensures a smoother connection with the rest of Estonia. With the Linda terminal, which will be completed in 2028, the capital will gain a building connecting the transport hub that has been missing so far, where it will be convenient to move on to the next destination, whether it is in the center of Tallinn, in a county or even abroad.
“The construction of the Ülemiste terminal is progressing according to plan, and we can already see how the future transport hub is being completed step by step – in the summer of 2025, Elron put the first waiting platforms of the new station into use,” said Salomets. “The concrete frame of the building will be completed by the end of this year, after which both the volume and architectural form of the station will be clearly perceived.”
In the next decade, nearly 15 million people will pass through the Ülemiste area, taking into account air and Rail Baltica passengers and other mobility forecasts. It is important that the urban space as a whole is developed taking this load into account.
How did this story make you feel?
3
1
