Renovation takes place at Toompea's Toom Guild construct
The historic Toom Guild (Toomgildi) building at Toom-Kooli 9 in Tallinn's Old Town is currently undergoing a significant reconstruction, with a planned completion date set for August 2026. The renovation process commenced in April 2025, and demolition and project drafting are currently underway.
This renovation aims to transform the building into working and representative premises for the Chancellery of the Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament). The redesigned facility will include approximately 40 workstations, two halls with a seating capacity of 120 each, and various meeting rooms.
One of the key intentions for the halls is to host public events, such as conferences and theater performances. The reconstruction project is expected to cost around €4.86 million, with the funds being provided by the chancellery.
Architectural responsibility for the reconstruction design falls to Kaja Kõiv (Architecture Bureau Kaja Kõiv), while Marje Karu (interior architecture firm Ilus Õhk) is responsible for the interior architecture.
The Toom Guild building is a unique structure, consisting of two buildings joined in an L-shape, constructed in different eras. It has faced challenges in the past, including damage from several 20th-century fires and structural subsidence, which required emergency repairs in the early 21st century.
Before the renovation, the building was not in use. Historically, after the guild ceased activities in 1920, the building housed apartments and government offices. Post-WWII, it hosted the Institute of Hydrometeorology and Civil Registry Office. Since 1997, it was partly used by Tallinn City Theater for rehearsals and performances.
The construction work must be completed no later than August 2026, with additional heritage protection studies or work needs being clarified during demolition. The building, which will house 40 workstations, two 120-seat halls, and meeting rooms, had previously been used by the Tallinn City Theater as a rehearsal and accommodation space.
Construction work on the building began in April 2025, with the reconstruction project being led by architect Kaja Kõiv and interior architect Marje Karu. As the renovation progresses, the public can look forward to a revitalised and functional building that will serve the needs of the Chancellery of the Riigikogu and the community of Tallinn.
The Chancellery of the Riigikogu, or the Estonian Parliament, will occupy the renovated Toom Guild building from August 2026, with the facility featuring approximately 40 workstations, two halls, and meeting rooms. This multifunctional building is designed to accommodate public events such as conferences and theater performances, thanks to the collaborative efforts of architect Kaja Kõiv and interior architect Marje Karu. The reconstruction project includes a major overhaul of both the exterior and the interior design, reflecting a lifestyle blend of home-and-garden and office aesthetics.
