Viru Keskus attracts more than 30,000 visitors daily and is located in the absolute centre of Tallinn, across the street from the UNESCO listed Tallinn Old Town. It features more than 115 shops and services, including cafes and a unique Food Street, the largest retail area in the Baltic states for jewellery and beauty products, a bookstore recognised as one of the best in the world, a sports club, and the Kaubamaja Toidumaailm grocery store with its updated design.
The city bus terminal is under the centre, and there is also a parking garage for 390 vehicles that includes an electric car (EV) charging area. Viru Keskus was refurbished in 2023 with an investment of nearly €20m, during which over 90% of the premises was reconditioned, while tenants contributed an additional €15m to renovate their stores. As an iconic step of the renovation process of Viru Keskus a wellness, beauty and aesthetic medicine centre opened its doors on the fourth floor of the centre.
Viru Keskus is the only shopping centre in the Baltic to hold LEED O&M Platinum certification as a testament to our commitment to sustainable management of existing buildings.
In recent years, Viru Keskus has taken the lead in several major urban improvement projects in the heart of Tallinn. Our goal is to transform the previously cold and fragmented city space into an environment that is more pleasant, accessible and greener in all directions surrounding the centre.
The renovation of Laikmaa Street, completed in the autumn of 2024, is a great example of how a former expanse of asphalt has been turned into a modern urban space. As the new tram line now runs between Kapitel’s two properties— Viru Keskus and Tallink City Hotel—we saw this as an opportunity to connect our properties, invest in a landmark public space and create a humanscale, contemporary environment that welcomes both pedestrians and cyclists.
Based on a concept by the renowned Swedish architectural fi rm Wingårdhs, the new urban space features wide pavements and cycling infrastructure, more trees, shrubs and grass planted between the tram tracks, street furniture and trellises for climbing plants. In addition, Viru Keskus and Tallink City Hotel installed new granite paving, street furniture, bike racks, plant boxes and landscaping along their pavements. In collaboration with the City of Tallinn, we have also redesigned the area bordering Tammsaare Park, including the terraces of Viru Keskus. What was once a windy and underused space is now well lit and offers new seating, a children’s play area and a self-service bike repair station. New pathways and green spaces bring the park and the centre closer to people.
Another major upcoming development is Hämarik Square, located at the corner of Gonsiori and Laikmaa Streets. Previously underutilised and uninviting, this space will be transformed into a vibrant heart of the city. In cooperation with Wingårdhs, we have created a vision for a lively, green and peoplecentred square where the city, commuting and community come together. A new main entrance, a cyclist-friendly café, landscaping and lighting will turn what used to be a grey corridor into a warm and welcoming public space.
We are also planning a new pedestrian crossing on Narva Street that will connect Viru Keskus with the Rotermann Quarter and, for the fi rst time, open the centre towards the sea. This will further strengthen Viru Keskus’ role as a central part of the city while aligning with Tallinn’s Main Street project, which aims to bring new urban quality to the entire city centre.
These developments are driven by private investment and demonstrate that private companies can be vital partners in improving the quality of our urban space. We believe that well-designed, humancentred and friendly environments create lasting value for the entire city.
