Construction of new US embassy buildings in Tallinn to begin next autumn

Tallinn’s mayor, Peeter Raudsepp, has said that construction of the new United States embassy complex in the Estonian capital could begin next autumn. He spoke after a meeting with US Ambassador Roman Pipko, adding that the project might be completed faster than earlier estimates suggested.

The complex will be built in the Uus-Maailm neighbourhood, between Suur-Ameerika and Väike-Ameerika streets, on the site of a former children’s stadium behind the so-called Superministry building. In May, the US State Department’s office responsible for overseas diplomatic facilities presented the project and said construction was expected to be finished by 2031. Raudsepp did not specify a new date but said a faster pace had been discussed.

Because the embassy is important for both the US and Tallinn, Raudsepp and Pipko agreed to personally oversee the process — the mayor on behalf of the city and the ambassador on behalf of the US.

The US side has also promised €1.2 million for the reconstruction of Väike-Ameerika Street, which will provide the staff entrance to the complex. The main entrance will be at the intersection of Suur-Ameerika and Toom-Kuninga streets. Raudsepp said American funding was guaranteed and that street works would be carried out simultaneously with the construction of the embassy.

During the detailed planning process, local residents and a neighbourhood association raised objections and suggestions. Some of them concerned compensating for the loss of green space on the former stadium site. The previous city administration planned to address this by reconstructing Koidu Street, but the current one has deferred that project. Raudsepp said consultations with residents had taken place and that the architectural solution placed the embassy in a park, giving it a maximally green appearance both in terms of greenery and visual impression. He noted the area would likely be one of the best-protected in Tallinn.

Initially, the city wanted to hold an architectural competition for the complex, but this was abandoned for security reasons. The design will be developed by the American firm Mark Cavagnero Associates Architects. The future complex will include one building ranging from one to nine storeys and up to six two-storey buildings, with the main building in the central part of the plot.

The 1.75-hectare plot belongs to the United States. Until 2020, it was owned by Tallinn, which then transferred it to the state. In June 2023, the US Embassy and the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs signed an agreement under which the US acquired the land. The purchase price has not been disclosed; in 2020, the plot was valued at €6 million.