In the coming years, the Ülemiste district will become Tallinn’s new urban center, thanks to large-scale development around the capital’s largest transportation hub. Tallinna Lennujaam, Rail Baltic Estonia, and Mainor Ülemiste are jointly investing approximately €500 million to transform the former industrial area into a modern, internationally oriented business and community center. Rail Baltica plays a key role in this process, integrating international and domestic rail connections, trams, buses, and the airport into a single space. According to Sten Pärnits, head of Mainor Ülemiste, Ülemiste will become more than just a transportation hub, but a “city within a city,” complementing Tallinn’s historic center and the Telliskivi district.
The project’s economic impact extends far beyond the capital. Ülemiste City is already Estonia’s third-largest economic hub, with a combined corporate turnover of approximately €3 billion in 2024. By 2030, up to 25,000 people will live, study, and work in the district. Development plans include the creation of a European Park the size of Vabaduse Square, a high-rise building designed by Zaha Hadid Architects featuring one of the country’s largest conference centers, measuring 4,700 square meters and expected to generate up to €140 million in tax revenue, and the opening of a spa complex of up to 6,000 square meters and a residential quarter with 400 apartments by 2028. City authorities emphasize the importance of a comprehensive approach to the development and integration of Ülemiste into the urban environment, including improved transportation accessibility and the possible construction of a 10,000-seat multifunctional arena.
Transportation remains a key driver of the district’s growth. Tallinn Airport’s passenger traffic could increase from 3.5 to 5 million by 2030, prompting the launch of its largest-ever expansion project, costing up to €75 million. Rail Baltica is also being developed: Ülemiste Station will handle approximately 2 million passengers annually, and the Linda Terminal, when it opens in 2028, will provide convenient connections between trains, public transport, and air travel. Up to 15 million people will potentially pass through the area annually, making Ülemiste one of the most important transport and business hubs not only for Tallinn but for all of Estonia.