Port of Tallinn announced public procurement for construction of a new state-of-the-art cruise terminal in the Old City Harbour, and the promenade in the area bordering the port. The multifunctional cruise terminal that will use energy-efficient and sustainable solutions is to be built in the direct vicinity of the cruise berths of the Old City Harbour.
According to Ingrid Berezin, business manager for cruise and ferry at Port of Tallinn, the concept behind the future cruise terminal was based equally on the needs of cruise travellers and city residents as well as sustainability considerations. “As the biggest sea gate of Estonia and the company that creates the first impression of the country, we wish to offer guests of our capital the best visiting experience while following the principles of sustainability. Opening of the seaside for the city residents and guests is just as important. We are convinced that the new terminal and pedestrian promenade will become one of the business cards of the city and a leisure time location beloved by the locals.”
Within the framework of the procurement a new multifunctional cruise terminal building together with engineering networks required for its service and maintenance will be built. The indoor area of the building will be approximately 4,000 m2.
The rooms of the terminal will be spacious and representational. The interior and exterior architecture was designed paying special attention to ensuring the best possible environmental properties of the materials and inventory. The building will be heated with sea heating, and additional energy will be generated using solar panels. The main materials used for the building will be glass, natural concrete, heat-treated pine and steel painted in black colour. Open rooms will have plenty of live plants which will create a good interior climate and cosy atmosphere.
As a part of the construction works a 900-metre-long promenade with cycle and pedestrian roads and green areas will be built. It will include small squares and open shelters for pedestrians, and zones for activities for children of all ages and sports enthusiasts. The promenade will stretch from the present cruise gate located under the roof of the building, to the end of the North-Western mole of the Old City Harbour.
“The architectural solution of the entire complex is truly unique. It will preserve and enrich the present historical wave protection wall and create a new landmark for guests of the city who arrive from the sea. One of the ideas planned as a part of the architectural solution is to create a new sea gate which would have an attractive architecture without covering the unique panorama of Hanseatic Old Town of Tallinn that opens for the guests of our city who arrive from the sea”, explains Ingrid Berezin.
During the periods between the cruise seasons the building that can accommodate approximately 2000 people will be used for organisation of events, concerts or conferences. As an important part of the complex a restaurant that will work year-round will be built, offering possibilities for spending leisure time to passers-by and inviting guests to enjoy the view of the sea.
The deadline for submission of offers for construction of the cruise terminal and promenade within the framework of the public procurement is 6 December 2019, and the planned time of completion of the complex is summer of 2021.
The technical solution of the terminal is based on a research in the course of which it was identified how to use more energy-efficient, environment-friendly and sustainable techniques in the new building, which would be suitable for the northern climate and allowed to operate the building also during the periods between the cruise seasons. The study was supported by the European Union which funded the Green Cruise Port project executed within the framework of the Interreg Baltic Sea Region program.