Building the Future: Krulli Quarter's Journey from Industrial Past to Green City District

In recent years, I have developed a growing interest in cities and the ways we interact with our surroundings. This is partly inspired by my work on global projects such as Bikeep, a smart, theft-resistant parking solution for bicycles, and partly by personal experience. My habits have shifted: I now commute by bike and have a one- and three-year-old who seize every chance to explore the outdoors.

I live in Tallinn, one of Northern Europe's best-preserved medieval cities and the European Green Capital of 2023. While the city has made significant strides, its public transport system and micromobility infrastructure still require considerable improvement to fully embody the vision of a truly green city. That said, progress is evident. In this piece, I will explore one of the exciting urban developments shaping Tallinn's future.

A quick sidenote for readers from abroad: In Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, there are two absolute must-visit destinations. First, Tallinn’s UNESCO-listed romantic Old Town, with its cobbled streets and pastel-hued houses. Second, Kalamaja (“Fish House” in Estonian), a hip and historic neighborhood northwest of the city center. Described by The Guardian as “by far the most dynamic neighborhood in the compact Estonian capital,” Kalamaja has seen remarkable development in recent years.

Once the city’s main harbor, Kalamaja evolved into an industrial hub by the 1870s. Today, some of its former industrial zones have been transformed into trendy office spaces, restaurants, and shops. One particularly vibrant industrial quarter has people talking. Just a kilometer from Tallinn Bay, near Kalamaja Park, sits Krulli Quarter, historic steelworks that are set to become a green and people-friendly Scandinavian city district.

Krulli Quarter, which spans 10 hectares, has a 10-year plan to transform into a lively neighborhood with a dense network of public spaces—both indoor and outdoor—where locals and visitors can enjoy spending time.

I was fortunate to chat with their CEO, Indrek Hääl, and Content and Community Manager, Kristin Kaasik. We discussed the project and its vision.

The 5-Minute Neighborhood

Owned by the Investment Partnership Taavet+Sten (globally successful technology entrepreneurs, Taavet Hinrikus and Sten Tamkivi), Krulli aims to set a new standard for the 5-minute neighborhood, where all necessary services will be provided on-site. When modernized, the former production area will have a mixed-use function—50% residential and 50% commercial. Approximately 700 apartments will be built, along with about 50,000 square meters of space for offices, shops, cafés, and other commercial premises.

At the heart of Krulli Quarter is a 400-meter-long main street. Interwoven among the existing industrial buildings and façades, a collection of newly envisioned urban spaces will define the area's central spine. There will be children’s playgrounds, restaurants, and recreation areas. On the ground level, the focus will be on pedestrians and cyclists, while car parking will be moved underground. Krulli is expected to host around 10,000 people regularly.

In 2021, a well-respected Estonian architect Andres Alver created a master plan for the area. The Krulli team then turned to Cobe, a Copenhagen-based architectural firm led by architect Dan Stubbergaard, to further develop the vision for the district. Many of Copenhagen’s most loved buildings and areas have been developed by Cobe. Cobe's local partner in Estonia is KOKO Architects, who are also behind transforming Krulli’s Events Hall into a modern and unique venue for concerts, events, workshops, etc. Moving forward, each building will host a separate competition to select dedicated architects for each, ensuring the quarter becomes a diverse, inspiring, and fun space.

“The project’s goal has been to integrate urbanism, landscape, and architecture, transforming the area into a mixed-use city district with a focus on entrepreneurial communities and start-ups, while providing hundreds of new homes and 3,000 new workplaces,” added Cobe in their recent announcement.

Urban Tech and Innovation

One of the challenges of building a futuristic neighborhood is predicting what people will desire a decade from now. Hence, Krulli has not yet disclosed all the projects they have envisioned. However, their CEO, Indrek, mentioned that waste management is a high priority for a development of this scale, and they plan to innovate waste collection. Krulli is considering a solution where each household will pay only for the exact amount of waste they generate. Understandably, a person living alone produces significantly less waste than, say, a family of four. Special scales would be used to measure the quantity, which will then be registered and billed accordingly.

In the long term, Krulli has set a target to become a zero-waste development. They also plan to install remote cooling and heating systems as the most convenient and environmentally friendly solutions. The modern design and materials of all windows and façades are also a focus.

An Inclusive Urban Space

Krulli aims to connect people from different walks of life and worldviews. It hopes to be a diverse space where everyone feels welcome. Although the project is still in its early stages, Krulli is already hosting events and festivals, inviting locals to explore the neighborhood.

Like many new real estate developments, Krull is aware that they need to tackle the societal segregation issues. Its residential real estate prices may be too high for some people. Therefore, Krull is considering reserving a handful of apartments for specific groups, such as teachers, medical workers, and possibly others – something that they are discussing with the city to determine how to set up a fair system. In addition, Krulli will be home to a new public kindergarten and a technology and co-working center. The Estonian-born tech giant Wise is already establishing its new headquarters in one part of Krulli.

Krulli hopes that the design will foster a sense of belonging and community. They are already active on social media but plan to introduce dedicated communication channels for the community, ensuring people stay informed and feel included.

Mixing the Old with the New

125 years ago, in 1899, one of the most modern factory complexes of the time—with 12 large production buildings, office spaces, and residential buildings—was opened in Krulli. The factory produced a wide range of products, from cast iron and steel goods to steam boilers and engines, agricultural machinery, and steam locomotives. Today, Krulli plans to reuse as much of the old infrastructure as possible. Some of the old elements will be turned into outdoor furniture, while others will simply add a nice historic touch to the modern surroundings.

In the context of climate change, the most sustainable project will always be the one that already exists.

Therefore, one-third of the buildings, those under heritage protection, will remain in place, preserving Krulli’s story from its early days. All old limestone buildings and walls will be renovated and retained.

The project emphasizes reuse, both environmentally and economically, forming the core of Krulli’s identity. “A ‘resource stair’ approach establishes a hierarchy for all materials found on site and any new additions. Reuse is always the highest priority, followed by biogenic materials, and then re-usable materials, leaving carbon-intensive concrete as the last choice,” says Cobe founder and Harvard professor Dan Stubbergaard.

Cranes will be reused as bridges connecting three buildings horizontally. Gables will be repaired with crushed limestone waste, and the new roofs will be shaped by the geometry of reused steel trusses.

Krulli aims for a solution that integrates transformation, timber construction, and the reuse of existing materials, together lowering the CO2 footprint by 65% compared to an average new office building.

Krulli Quarter represents a thoughtful approach to the future of urban living in Tallinn. With a focus on sustainability, innovation, and community, it seeks to balance growth with respect for the city’s history.

While we actively debate whether Tallinn prioritizes pedestrians and cyclists enough, how to reduce noise pollution caused by cars, and other similar issues, Tallinn remains a relatively small city where every change has a significant impact. It's wonderful to see (and feel) the city improving bit by bit, neighborhood by neighborhood.

As the project progresses, Krulli has the potential to become a unique space where the old and new coexist, offering a welcoming environment for people from all backgrounds. It’s a vision for urban life that feels both forward-thinking and connected to its roots.

The Innovation Hub, with a publicly accessible winter garden and gathering space at the heart of Krulli, is expected to open in 2027. Follow the transformation of historic steelworks into a modern neighborhood here.

I promised myself that I will keep exploring to see where my interest in cities and green developments will take me. I hope you enjoyed the article. Tthis was a voluntary project and not a paid partnership.

If you know of startups working on interesting urban projects, or if you're aware of an exciting urban initiative, please share it in the comments or send me a message. 💚

Thanks!