12.08.2026
A building permit has been granted for a year-round outdoor bathing and sauna complex on the Kalasadam waterfront in Tallinn, a project that will also restore the area’s historic fish harbour. The €25 million complex is being developed jointly by the Estonian real estate company Kapitel and the Finnish company Nordic Urban, and is due to open in spring 2028.
The complex is based on the Allas Pool concept created by Nordic Urban and established in the heart of Helsinki, where it draws around 800,000 visitors a year and ranks among the city’s most popular wellbeing and leisure destinations. In Kalasadam, Nordic Urban and Kapitel are developing the complex together: Kapitel as the owner and developer of the project is financing the €25 million investment, while Nordic Urban is responsible for the concept and will operate the venue. With the building permit now granted, the construction schedule and the main contractor will be confirmed later this autumn.
“The building permit is a major milestone for us. The Kalasadam complex will be significantly larger than Allas Pool Helsinki – a considerable step up in scale for us. What we are building is an urban wellbeing destination rather than a spa — swimming, sauna, food and live music in one place, open to everyone, all year round. All across Europe, former industrial waterfronts are being reclaimed for recreation and public life, and Kalasadam gives Tallinn an exceptional opportunity to do exactly that,” says Raoul Grünstein, CEO of Nordic Urban.
The complex will comprise approximately 5,000 square metres of floor area – more than twice the size of Allas Pool Helsinki. It will feature a year-round outdoor bathing area with a heated 25-metre pool, a cold pool, two hot-water pools and saunas, all opening onto uninterrupted views of the open sea. The facility will also include an adults-only indoor bathhouse with several saunas and hot baths. Designed to serve a wide range of users and needs, it offers space for competitive and recreational swimming, group fitness and leisure for both adults and children. The complex is complemented by a restaurant and café services, event spaces, private saunas, extensive terraces and live music.
The architecture of the complex is by the award-winning Estonian firm Arhitekt Must, winner of the open architectural competition held in 2024. “The design interprets the character of the historic fishing harbour through maritime archetypes. The terraces, pools and promenade open toward the sea, connecting land and water in a new way,” explains Alvin Järving, Partner at Arhitekt Must.
Located in Kalasadam, within walking distance of Tallinn’s Old Town, the project will give residents and visitors better access to the shoreline than ever before. It supports the city’s strategic goal of transforming its coastal areas into open, inviting urban spaces.
“Alongside the buildings, we will also breathe new life into the historic fish harbour, and turn it into a high-quality marina complemented by services. In addition, we will create a new 250-metre landscaped promenade with lighting, urban furniture and public amenities. The promenade will be open and accessible to everyone. We see both the complex and the contemporary public space as an important catalyst for bringing new life to this seaside part of Tallinn, which has significant untapped potential. As a small section of the promenade is located on city-owned land, we hope to work closely with the City of Tallinn to bring the architects’ vision for the public space to life and deliver the concept as a coherent whole,” says Martin Rebane, Development Director at Kapitel.