Tallinn proposes buying former ministry building for VHK

Tallinn City Government has approved a proposal to buy the former Ministry of Rural Affairs building on Lai Street for the Tallinn Old Town Educational College, ERR reported Tuesday.

The proposed purchase would bring the college’s primary school section, small classes and support services together in one location, Deputy Mayor Andrei Kante said.

“Tallinn’s task is to create conditions in which schools can develop their strengths and distinctive character,” Kante said, praising the college’s work in implementing inclusive education. He said the building would significantly improve the school’s facilities.

The music school’s extracurricular groups will initially remain in temporary premises. A long-term solution will be decided later, Kante said.

The building at Lai 39/41 has approximately 7,750 square metres of closed net floor area. Under the preliminary plan, it would accommodate the primary school section, small classes, some extracurricular activities and support services, with space for about 670 students.

The city government said the building’s layout, high ceilings, spacious stairwells and courtyard would provide good conditions for creating a learning environment suited to the students’ needs.

The agreed purchase price for the Lai Street 39/41 property is 5.703 million euros, based on valuations prepared by independent appraisers.

The purchase is part of a broader planned real estate transaction between Tallinn and state-owned real estate company Riigi Kinnisvara. The city would also acquire the property at 66 Liikuri Street and transfer five city-owned properties to the company.

The total sales price of the properties acquired by the city would be 6.179 million euros, equal to the price of the properties transferred to Riigi Kinnisvara. The purchase and sale prices would be offset against each other.

The Museum of Estonian Applied Art and Design would continue using the building at 17 Lai Street after the property is transferred to Riigi Kinnisvara. Its lease would continue with the new owner.

Riigi Kinnisvara board chairman Tarmo Leppoja said it was important to find a long-term, public-interest use for the historic building. He said the heritage-protected building would remain in public use and that its new function would support education and the vitality of Tallinn’s Old Town.

The building must undergo a thorough reconstruction and be adapted to meet the requirements of an educational facility before it can be used as a school. An earlier technical analysis found that conversion to a school was feasible, while the estimated cost and schedule will be specified during the design process.

The proposal will next be considered by Tallinn City Council.