In October 2013, the Property Department of the Estonian capital has launched the first phase of the "Green Seaside Residences" competition, which implies a sale of a whole district in the north-west of Tallinn, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland. The territory of Kopli lines is about 17 hectares. 82 real estate assets (mostly abandoned houses) will be brought to the hammer at a starting price of €1.5 million, almost €9 per sq m, according to ee24.com.
Kopli lines is a depressed area on the outskirts of the city, 5 km from the centre. It was built in the early XX century as a colony for shipyards workers. Streets were named lines. In addition to residential buildings, school and church were constructed. In the middle of the XX century, people gradually began to leave local houses and barracks. A lot of buildings are now dilapidated. Kopli lines are notorious for high crime, homeless people and drug addicts.

Green Seaside Residential Area Development Project
In the midst of the financial crisis, in 2010, the city authorities had tried to rent out this area, but this initiative had no success. Perhaps now, when apartment prices in Tallinn started to grow, the idea will get a second wind.
Of 17 hectares (it's roughly 400 * 425 m) only 6 are allocated for housing construction, and the remaining space is intended for communications, roads, sports grounds, parks etc. As required by the authorities of Tallinn, developed will be able to build up to 527 apartments in buildings of 1 to 5 floors, as well as 38 cottages. In addition , the developer will have to put in order 50 meters of coastline owned by the city.
The developer will be required to repair the roads and communication (pipes, wires etc). According to the experts of ee24.com, the construction of infrastructure and buildings may cost €70-80 million.
Despite the fact that the city has a rough development plan for this area, according to the vice-mayor Eha Võrk, authorities are ready to allow developer make radical changes, except roads and a few historical buildings. By the way , the city government will be happy to deal with foreign companies. Presentations of the auction for the sale of Kopli lines were held this autumn in Stockholm, Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Developer has to create a so interesting project with a unique relaxing atmosphere in order to do this area ill fame away. Though it's unlikely that new buildings will stand empty: a new housing in Tallinn, at the same time away from the city bustle and located right on the shore of the Baltic Sea, will find its buyers for sure.
Video: First Baltic Channel
One of the downsides is the operating railway connecting the shipyard with the city and separates the area offered for sale into 2 parts. For potential developers from Russia and other countries it's also important to know that the project will require a local partner, who will prepare the documentation in Estonian. The deadline for proposals is November 19, 2013. Until that time, developers need to provide their projects. After that, the second round of the competition will be organized.
Text: Alexander Fetyukov, Pavel Kuznetsov, ee24.com
Photo: Property Department of Tallinn


Kopli lines in Tallinn

Project for Kopli lines (sketch)