City-Owned Buildings in Tallinn's Old Town Stand Empty and Deteriorate
Many city-owned properties in Tallinn's Old Town are vacant and in poor condition. The deputy mayor suggests selling them, but a planning specialist disagrees, calling for responsible city ownership.
A significant number of city-owned premises in Tallinn's Old Town are standing empty and often in poor condition, according to a report by ERR. Deputy Mayor Tiit Terik (Centre Party) noted that the city owns over 65,000 square meters of real estate in the Old Town. About one-third is used by the city itself, while the rest is leased to private enterprises, mainly for retail and catering. Currently, there are 20 vacant rental spaces, which Terik attributes to the overall economic situation and a decline in tourist numbers.
However, Kaarel Truu, an Old Town specialist from the Urban Planning Department, believes the reasons are more complex. He stated that many buildings are in such poor condition that they cannot be used—years of inadequate maintenance have led to a backlog of repairs requiring significant investment. Truu noted that emergency situations often arise undetected precisely because the premises are empty.
Terik acknowledged that the city lacks funds for maintaining these buildings due to strict budget priorities. He suggested considering the sale of these properties to private investors, who could invest and restore them. In contrast, Truu called on the city to be a more responsible owner and retain ownership, as it allows control over activities in the Old Town and tenant selection. He emphasized that the Old Town development plan states the city should restore empty and dilapidated buildings and develop a thoughtful rental policy, prioritizing public value over profit. Truu stressed that the Old Town is not abandoned—it hosts both tourists and locals, and the goal is to keep it a lively urban environment.
