Golden Gate

AUTHORS: ARCHITECT11

LOCATION: ahtri 6, rotermann quarter, TALLINN

status: FINISHED in 2025

CATEGORY: ARCHITECTURE I OFFICE BUILDINGS I PUBLIC BUILDINGS

On Ahtri Street, in the heart of Tallinn, where the port meets the city, a building will soon rise that will change the dynamics of the entire area. Golden Gate – that’s what we call the new commercial and office building, which will become a bridge between the Rotermann quarter and the sea in the spring of 2025 and a gateway from the port to the city center. This is not just another office building, but a 19,000 m² architectural statement that expresses our vision of modern urban development.

The six-storey building above ground and two underground floors tells the story of how to respect the past while creating a completely modern space. While preserving the authentic heart of the old limestone building, we are building a new architecture around it with a gold and black facade that respects history but does not remain a prisoner of it. The result is a LEED-certified building that offers space for both retail and office space, while creating a passageway that connects the Rotermann Quarter with the waterfront areas.

CONTEXT AND SURROUNDINGS

The location of Golden Gate on Ahtri Street is not accidental – it is a strategic point where several important elements of urban space intersect. The building is located right next to the Museum of Architecture and creates a visual dialogue with both the historical architecture of the Rotermann Quarter and the modern infrastructure of the port. The planned tram line, which will connect the Rail Baltic terminal with the Old Port in the future, runs right next to the building, making it an important transport hub.

The building's 109-meter facade along Ahtri Street does not dominate or obscure, but logically blends into the cityscape thanks to its well-thought-out articulation. The three-story high passage ensures a continuous pedestrian traffic flow between the Rotermann inner quarter and the Admiralty Basin, preserving the organic breathing of the city. This is not just an architectural solution, but an understanding of the needs of city residents - creating a space that serves the community.

ARCHITECTURAL SOLUTION

The architectural identity of Golden Gate is born in an elegant dialogue of gold and black. The lower two floors of the building are clad in dark brown anodized aluminum, creating a visually airy colonnade that supports the golden superstructure. Starting from the third floor, the façade opens up a pattern of alternating round windows and narrow window mullions that plays with light and shadow throughout the day.

A central atrium divides the building into two wings, allowing a direct view of the sea from Rotermann. This is not just a functional solution, but an architectural gesture that invites the city into the building. A glass space running through six floors, connected by bridge-like connections, creates vertical perspectives and keeps the space dynamic.

Our material choices – the natural metallic sheen of anodized aluminum and a thoughtful window slat system – ensure that the building does not feel artificial or alien, but grows organically out of its context. 104 underground parking spaces and roof terraces show how modern needs can be delicately addressed without affecting the building’s visual impact in the urban space.