Tallinn Wants to Sell Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre a Plot on Sakala Street

The city government of Tallinn, Estonia's capital, has submitted a proposal to the city council to sell the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (EMTA) a plot of real estate at Sakala 19 / Tatari 10. The academy intends to build a modern performing arts teaching centre on the site, which together with its nearby teaching building at Tatari 13 would form a single complex. The sale must be approved by the Tallinn city council.

The academy's plans

EMTA rector Ivari Ilja said the academy has been seeking to expand beyond its main building for almost 10 years. According to him, the new building would create a modern and flexible environment for teaching theatre arts and significantly broaden teaching possibilities. Besides lessons, it would offer new opportunities for performances, joint projects, festivals and other public events. He described acquiring the plot as only the beginning of a creative process in which the academy will work with teachers, field specialists and architects to find the best solution for current and future needs.

The plot and the price

The plot covers 939 square metres. It holds two 19th-century buildings and a dilapidated warehouse building. The building at Sakala 19 has stood empty since 2019, while the one at Tatari 10 was in use until February 2026.

The city's assessment is that a stepped building of up to six floors above ground and two below could be designed on the site. The exact development solution will be determined during the detailed planning procedure, which must also take into account the historic buildings and environment of the area.

EMTA has submitted a request to the city to purchase the plot. The city intends to sell it to the academy without an auction, at a price of €780,000 based on the market value set by an independent real estate appraiser. The city hopes to complete the transaction within 2026.