Zaha Hadid Architects has announced the start of construction works on the Ülemiste Passenger Terminal in Tallinn, Estonia, with the laying of the ceremonial cornerstone. 

The terminal, set to open in 2028, will serve as the northern terminus of the overarching Rail Baltica project, an 870km electrified railway currently under construction in the region.  

The railway will enable passenger services at speeds of up to 249km/h, connecting Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania with Poland's European high-speed rail network. 

In 2022, Rail Baltic Estonia announced the first stage of construction procurement for the Ülemiste terminal building.  

It has since sought a builder for the load-bearing structures at the Ülemiste joint terminal. 

The terminal will serve as a multimodal hub, connecting commuters, international rail passengers, and air travellers from Tallinn Airport.  

Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects in collaboration with Esplan, the terminal is envisioned as a bridge uniting districts of Tallinn currently divided by railway tracks.  

The design focuses on facilitating movement and navigation, integrating the city's bus, tram, rail, and cycle networks at the terminal. 

The terminal's design incorporates a modular structural system, allowing for phased construction that will enable rail operations to continue uninterrupted.  

It is being developed in line with Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method benchmarks and guidelines. 

Rail Baltic Estonia management board chair Anvar Salomets said: “Until just a few years ago, we could not have believed that we could have celebrated the laying of the cornerstone for Ülemiste Terminal.  

“The implementation of the Rail Baltica project in Estonia has been both effective and efficient, and in four years' time, we invite everyone to the opening of Rail Baltica Ülemiste terminal.”