In the heart of Tallinn, where Stockmann’s department store once defined the city space, a vision of a new Maakri quarter is being born – not just buildings, but a vibrant district that breathes and pulsates with the rhythm of modern life. Our 2023 invited architectural competition’s winning solution tells the story of how a single large building can be replaced by a complete community, where work, art, health and entertainment naturally intertwine.

The heart of the project was the idea that a modern city quarter cannot be monofunctional. Our solution brings together and creates a diverse environment that serves both locals and visitors. Roof terraces become public gathering places, offering unique views across the city, while active commercial spaces on the ground floor open the quarter to Maakri Street and invite pedestrians to enter.

SUSTAINABILITY AS A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

The architectural keyword of the solution is “a denser urban environment”, which reduces car dependency and increases pedestrian movement. The buildings are designed with future energy standards in mind – LEED and BREEAM certified spaces, which ensure both environmental friendliness and higher rental value. The integration of bicycle parks, electric car charging points and outdoor workplaces shows how architecture supports different lifestyles and modes of movement.

This is a vision of Tallinn, where instead of a department store, a community grows – a place where people come not only to work or shop, but to live a full urban life. Maakri 2.0 proves the possibility of creating a richer and more diverse urban space.