Estonian National Opera House Extension Spatial Concept Tender to be Announced in June

Culture Minister Heidi Purga has confirmed that the Estonian National Opera will announce a tender by the end of June 2026 for developing a spatial concept for the extension building. The tender is necessary to assess the feasibility of three possible construction solutions. The Culture Ministry is playing a coordinating role in the process.

Culture Minister Heidi Purga has confirmed that the Estonian National Opera will announce a public tender by the end of June 2026 for developing a spatial concept for the extension building. The aim is to analyse which of three possible scenarios is viable from legal, spatial and heritage protection perspectives.

What does the tender cover?

The spatial concept study will treat the theatre's new and old sections as a whole and will compare three different solutions. The first option is the reconstruction of the existing hall together with an extension of the stage. The second scenario involves building an extension from Uus Turu Square. The third alternative is an underground connection solution at Theatre Square.

According to Purga, the tender background materials have already been prepared, and work will begin in June with the procurement council, which must approve the terms of reference for the public procurement process. Although the issue has not yet been discussed at a government session, the minister confirms that planning for the extension is in full swing.

Multiple stakeholders involved

The City of Tallinn plays an important role in land use and urban space planning. The Heritage Conservation Board is also involved in the process, as the development affects a building protected as an architectural and historical monument and located within Tallinn's Old Town heritage area on UNESCO's World Heritage list.

"The Heritage Conservation Board's detailed plan special conditions will also define the planning possibilities for the extension from Uus Turu Square," Purga explained.

The Culture Ministry's role has been coordinating and supportive; the ministry has helped bring together stakeholders whose expertise is essential for implementing the project. The Estonian Architects' Association's participation ensures the professional and transparent conduct of the architectural competition.

Parliament decisions provide background

"I confirm that the Culture Ministry will continue cooperating with the Estonian National Opera, the City of Tallinn, the Heritage Conservation Board, the Estonian Architects' Association and other stakeholders to reach a viable solution for the Estonia extension," Purga added.

The process has a long history: in 2021, Parliament confirmed the Estonian National Opera extension as a nationally significant cultural object. In spring 2024, Parliament made a proposal to the government to find a solution for building the extension and to review the restrictions preventing its realisation. In May 2025, a working group bringing together all stakeholders was established.

In early June, Heio Pikkoff, a member of Parliament's culture committee, wrote to Purga asking what obstacles the Culture Ministry sees in implementing the extension and what steps have been taken to fulfil the two Parliament decisions.