The Cornerstone Was Laid Today for Viljandi Spa Hotel to Be Completed in 2027

On Monday, October 13th, the cornerstone was laid for the Viljandi spa hotel. The cornerstone capsule for the spa hotel being built on the shore of Lake Viljandi was placed by Oleg Gross, owner of the spa hotel developer OG Elektra, and Tarmo Pohlak, a member of the board of the construction company Nordecon.

The four-storey multifunctional building in Viljandi city, rising directly on the lake shore by 2027, has a volume of 15,800 m2. In addition to a swimming pool, a modern water and sauna center, and a restaurant, the future building will also house 150 spacious hotel rooms with balconies and a conference center. The architectural solution for the building was created by KOKO architects and the main contractor for the construction is Nordecon AS.

"Our goal is to build one of the best conference and spa hotels in the entire region – the result should even exceed what the original project envisioned. The building and services are of high quality, well thought out, and fit beautifully with the local environment and surroundings. This will truly be a family-friendly and harmonious place for both relaxation and work," said Oleg Gross, owner of OG Elektra AS.

The complex consists of two cylindrical building sections positioned side by side and connected to each other. Natural wood and stone are used on the facades, which help create a warm and nature-friendly appearance. Large glass surfaces offer views of Lake Viljandi.

"We are progressing well with both the design and construction work. While the construction work, which is very visible to passersby, is in the stage of creating the reinforced concrete 0-cycle of the building complex, the preparation and design work for further construction work in the background has already progressed to complex technical systems and interior architectural solutions," said Tarmo Pohlak, a member of Nordecon's board.

In addition to leisure opportunities, Viljandi city and Viljandi municipality have agreed with the spa hotel developer OG Elektra that the spa's 8-lane swimming pool will also provide services to the city and municipal schools. According to the agreement, school students are guaranteed regular access to the swimming pool for physical education classes and swimming lessons.

According to Viljandi Mayor Johan-Kristjan Konovalov, this is a significant construction for the city. "Viljandi has been waiting for a water center and spa hotel for over twenty years. Now it is being realized. The lakeside area will get a new lease of life and the city will gain one important attraction. The new hotel and spa will bring both visitors and jobs here, and will also expand leisure opportunities for locals," said the mayor.

Oleg Gross's company OG Elektra and the construction company Nordecon AS signed a contract for the construction of the Viljandi spa hotel in February of this year. The construction contract is worth 30 million euros, to which VAT is added, and the planned completion time for the construction is summer 2027.

The spa hotel building is characterized by modern and functional architecture, created by the KOKO architecture bureau. The project was selected in 2019 as part of an ideas competition organized by the city. The solution created by architects Raivo Kotov, Andrus Kõresaar, Lembit-Kaur Stöör, Martin Tago, and Brita Porovar is inspired by Viljandi's historical city structure and lakeside landscape. The concept is centered on closeness to nature and harmony in material use, which connects the building with the surrounding environment and offers visitors a relaxing atmosphere. Great emphasis has been placed on energy efficiency and environmentally friendly solutions to keep long-term operating costs low and ensure sustainability.