Telliskivi Loomelinnak (Telliskivi Creative City in English) has transformed a Soviet industrial complex of 10 buildings into a creative hotspot that is home to a variety of activities. It aims to be a fully self-sustaining community that provides a space for the creative industries to flourish. From small scale shops to creative companies, restaurants, bars and theatres, all can be found on site. In total, about 250 companies operate in the creative city, and almost 600 cultural events are organised each year.
Telliskivi Loomelinnak (Telliskivi Creative City in English) is located in the Kalamaja district, a 15-minute walk from the historic centre of Estonia’s capital Tallinn. The buildings in which the creative city has emerged are part of an industrial Soviet complex, built-in 1896, used by the Baltic Railways to manufacture railway components. The Soviet’s rapid industrial development shortly led to several other buildings in the area, including living accommodations for factory workers. When Estonia regained independence from the Soviet Union, the complex was privatised. The development for the Creative City started in 2007 when the location was bought by the Eastern Europe Real Estate Investment Fund (EEREIF). In 2009 Telliskivi Creative City was officially established. [1;2] The space has been filled gradually, on a self-organised basis and in accordance with the needs of the new users of the area. [5]
Telliskivi Creative City aims to be a fully self-sustaining community that provides a space for the creative industries to flourish. It is home to boutiques shops that sell Estonian design, ecologic products and fair-trade goods, art and design studios, creative companies and non-governmental organisations. One can find regular events on-site, such as concerts, a yearly food festival and a Saturday flea market. There are restaurants, cafes and bars. It is home to the urban lab Linnalabor and three theatres. There are co-working facilities and spaces for rent for conferences, performances and other events. [3]
In total, the ten buildings provide space to over 250 companies and 1.500 people. Almost 600 cultural events are organised per year, attracting nearly a million visitors to the site. [1] The presence of Telliskivi Creative City has fundamentally changed the neighbourhood’s character, making the once-abandoned industrial complex into a hotspot for creative and entrepreneurial minds. [2;3;4]
The former Soviet complex home to Telliskivi Creative City was privatized when Estonia regained independence from the Soviet Union. In 2007, the building was bought by the Eastern Europe Real Estate Investment Fund (EEREIF). In 2014 the complex was sold to a Swedish family group for €4.8 million, under the agreement that the development of the creative sector on the site would be safeguarded. [2;3]
Currently, Telliskivi Creative City is run as a community platform. [1] Specific government arrangements remain unknown.
Telliskivi Creative City is developed through private sources. [1;2;4] The total amount invested in the complex renovation is unknown.
Income is generated through the rental of office and event space on site. Young and creative businesses can get a discount on their rental price to help them establish themselves. All profit that is generated is invested back in the community. [1]
Telliskivi Creative City, initiative website, telliskivi.cc/, accessed on 16/02/2022
Baltic Urban Lab (n.d.), Telliskivi Creative City in Tallinn, available on www.balticurbanlab.eu/goodpractices/telliskivi-creative-city-tallinn, accessed on 16/02/2022
Llamas’ Valley (2016) Estonian corner for creatives, by Kamile Niunevaite, April 16th, 2016 , available on www.llamasvalley.com/estonian-corner-for-creatives/, accessed on 16/02/2022
Pastak, I., & Kährik, A(2016)The impacts of culture-led flagship projects on local communities in the context of post-socialist TallinnSociologicky Casopis, 52(6), 963.
Estonian Centre for Architecture (n.d.), Telliskivi Creative City, available on estonianarchitecture.com/project/telliskivi-creative-city/, accessed on 16/02/2022