According to a report by Ott Tammik on the English language site of the Estonian Public Broadcasters (ERR) the building which houses the Estonian Finance Ministry is to be demolished and two new, identical towers are to be built in its stead.
The current building at Suur-Ameerika 1, which was constructed back in 1977 when Estonia was a constitutent republic of the former USSR, has been declared unfit for renovation (which was the original intention) according to the report.
The work is due to start some time in 2013 and whilst the new buildings, which will also house the Ministry of The Economy, the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Social Affairs from 2016, are to resemble the existing building externally, the interior will comprise modern, open plan offices rather than separate office rooms as is currently the case, according to the report.
This has not been met with unified approval, it would seem. The Estonian Architect’s Union called the building an architecturally valuable monument to its era and the decision to demolish it ‘strange’, the report stated.
Possible interim accomodation for the Finance Ministry during the period of construction could be the current Tax and Customs’ Board (EMTA) offices in various locations around Tallinn. EMTA is due to relocate to new premises in Ülemiste in the second half 2013.
Andrew Whyte
Tallinn Property by Goodson & Red
