A New Karlowa Quarter is Rising on the Site of Tartu's Former Boiler House
In the Tartu city center on the Emajõgi riverbank, on the Turu 18 property, Giga and Merko are building three apartment buildings with commercial spaces, and a hotel and office building is planned for the neighboring property. The new urban quarter will be named Uus-Karlowa.
The industrial territory of the heating plant that once provided heat for the city of Tartu will transform in the coming years into a modern living and working environment and a valuable public urban space. Located on the edge of Karlova with a long history, Uus-Karlowa combines the best elements of the neighborhood with the additional opportunities offered by proximity to the city center and buildings situated directly on the riverbank.
"A place where energy was once produced for the city's residents will become, under the name Uus-Karlowa, a district where energy flows through people, community, and modern living. The quarter is Karlova's extension towards the future, offering the highest quality and most contemporary solutions," said Indrek Jakobsoo, CEO of the property owner OÜ Giga Investeeringud.
The Uus-Karlowa quarter is designed for those who want to experience proximity to the heart of Tartu, everyday convenience, and an inspiring living environment on the Emajõgi riverbank. The quarter will feature three six-story buildings, which, in addition to 2–5-room apartments, also have ground-floor commercial spaces. The architectural design of the quarter was created by Kadarik Tüür Architects. The apartment buildings will be built by the joint venture of OÜ Giga Investeeringud and OÜ Merko Kodud, Turu 18 Kodud OÜ.
"The design work for the quarter's buildings has progressed at a rapid pace. We plan to submit the building permit application for the apartment buildings to the city of Tartu in the near future. Depending on the timing of the building permit issuance and client expectations, it is possible to begin construction during 2026. The completion of the apartment buildings could thus fall in 2028," said Indrek Tarto, head of OÜ Merko Kodud.
The apartment buildings with a shared parking level will be surrounded by contemporary and versatile urban space, which will make the residential environment pleasant for residents and allow the riverbank area to be opened up to city residents. The construction of a riverside promenade alongside the new quarter will extend the actively used Tartu riverbank urban space to the Friendship Bridge.
