In the coming years, Ülemiste district is expected to undergo one of the largest investment cycles of the decade. The Rail Baltic project, set for completion by 2030, the expanding airport and the tram line opening already this spring will turn Ülemiste into Estonia’s most important transport hub. The district is preparing for the future: Ülemiste Centre plans to expand by an additional 50,000 m² and aims to reach a daily visitor volume of 25,000.
To discuss the future of the Ülemiste district, the annual Grand Meeting of Tenants of Ülemiste Centre brought together the leaders of Tallinn Airport, Rail Baltic, Ülemiste Centre and the project company Esplan. Their common message was clear: concentrating three strategic investments in one location strengthens Estonia’s regional competitiveness and creates a favourable environment for new businesses and visitors.
The airport and Rail Baltic create a unified mobility hub
Tallinn Airport CEO Riivo Tuvike explained that the airport is preparing for an expansion of its passenger terminal, with the goal of serving 5 million passengers by 2030. “According to forecasts, the number of passengers could reach 7–8 million by 2040,” he said.
Chairman of the Management Board of Rail Baltic Estonia Anvar Salomets described Ülemiste as Estonia’s future most important mobility hub: “Integrating the railway station and the airport into a single complex will make it possible to offer fast domestic and international connections,” Salomets noted. “The tram line will be completed in spring, allowing passengers to travel from the airport to Ülemiste, and gradually we will begin opening new pedestrian tunnels.”
The Ülemiste district complements Tallinn’s diversity
Esplan’s Chair of the Management Board Kadi Metsmaa emphasised that Ülemiste will not become a competitor to the city centre, but will instead broaden Tallinn’s diversity: “A city must develop around several key nodes to avoid overburdening any one area. Ülemiste’s advantage lies in its strong transport hub, which enables the creation of housing, public services and green spaces.”
The shopping centre prepares for growth
Ülemiste Centre CEO Guido Pärnits noted that the district has the potential to become Tallinn’s most modern economic area: “In the future, Ülemiste Centre may welcome at least 25,000 visitors every day,” he said. The area will also be strengthened by Ülemiste City, which has already become the largest business campus in Scandinavia and where a 24-storey conference hotel is planned.
Last year, the Tallinn city government approved the launch of a detailed planning procedure that will allow the centre to significantly increase its building volume. According to Pärnits, the detailed plan will be ready for adoption by the end of next year. The centre currently has a total area of 130,000 m² and plans to expand by more than 50,000 m².
Pärnits believes Estonia’s economy is recovering after recent turbulence: “Based on the number of visitors and turnover, we can see that the fear of purchasing is fading and purchasing power is gradually improving,” he said. Pärnits predicts that by the end of the year the centre’s market share will grow to 24%, but that strategic investments will result in a small annual loss.
Grand Meeting of Tenants: looking into the future of retail
The development of the district was discussed at Ülemiste Centre’s Grand Tenants’ Meeting – an annual conference for tenants and partners, held on 19 November in the Apollo Kino Theatre Hall. Throughout the day, participants examined the current state of retail trade in Estonia and future development plans for the Ülemiste district.
Kantar Emor research specialist Anu Varblane presented an overview of changes in consumer behaviour. According to a study conducted this autumn, Ülemiste remains Tallinn’s most popular shopping centre, followed by Kristiine and Rocca al Mare.
“Compared to last year, residents of the capital are buying household appliances, electronics, sporting goods and leisure goods less frequently and in smaller quantities. This has caused a decrease in customer flows across all centres,” Varblane said, adding that despite the market situation, Ülemiste remains the most preferred centre in all product categories.
Ülemiste Centre’s Head of Marketing and Corporate Responsibility Tiia Nõmm added that the centre’s brand recognition is stronger than ever: “Ülemiste’s spontaneous brand recognition is by far the highest among competitors, and 72% of people associate the logomark specifically with Ülemiste Centre. This figure has doubled in four years.”
The photo gallery of the event can be found HERE
Author: Kalev Lilleorg
