The property at 10 Staapli Street holds a significant historical and architectural value within the Põhja-Tallinn district of northern Tallinn. This area lies within the common protection zone established to preserve the historical surroundings of the Miinisadam Naval Base.
The transformation of this coastal area began in the years leading up to the First World War, specifically in 1912. During this period, soil was used to fill in the coastal waters to extend the shoreline, allowing for the development of a warship port and shipyard. This strategic expansion included the establishment of the Noblessner Shipyard to the east, a component of Peter the Great’s Naval Fortress, which aimed to fortify and support the Russian Empire's Baltic Sea defenses. By approximately 1913, 10 Staapli Street became an integral part of the Miinisadam Naval Base. At this time, a modest building was constructed on the property, which served as both a boiler house and power plant, fulfilling essential energy needs for the base. Today, 10 Staapli Street is not only a part of the fabric of Tallinn's industrial heritage but also a reminder of the extensive military efforts that shaped the northern coastal landscape in the early 20th century.
The renovated structure is now used as a commercial building. There are commercial spaces on the ground floor and on the mezzanine level above the atrium, and office spaces on the first floor. As the architectural solution preserved and reconstructed as much of the historical red brick exterior as possible, this style was also chosen for the interior. Inside the building, the red brick was plastered, which made finding a good balance between cleaning the brick and exposing the old plaster somewhat challenging. Where cleaning the brick was not technically possible and the old plaster not fit for display, walls were covered with new plaster and painted over. Dark grey-painted wood was used for the windows and interior doors, which goes well with the red bricks. The fine metal frame on the glass walls separating the offices was also painted dark grey to form a beautiful ensemble with the building’s divided windows.
Natural and time-resistant materials were used in the interior, the floors were laid with oak parquetry, and the windowsills were cast using concrete or also laid with parquetry. In the kitchen, the old clinker tiles that used to cover the floor were re-installed. The historically valuable metal details have been painted dark grey to set them apart from the newly constructed parts of the building and give them a strong accent, and reflected light has been used to additionally highlight the elements in the ceiling. Throughout the part of the building that was restored, the historical details on the ceilings and walls were combined with modern technical solutions and materials.
Photos: Kati Treiman, Estonian Maritime Museum archive, Sven Soome