Welcome to Marienberg!

The neighbourhood between the Song Festival Grounds and the Film Museum has been named Marienberg. In the future, it will develop into a vibrant community hub and heart, featuring cosy cafés, a grocery shop, a wide range of recreational and sports facilities, and a green promenade. Since Metro values the opinions of both its clients and supporters, we organised a naming competition for the new neighbourhood on our social media channels, shortlisting two candidates – Marienberg and Uus Maarjamäe – and inviting people to submit their own suggestions. Nearly 100 people took part in the vote and Marienberg emerged as the clear winner,’ explained Metro CEO Ain Kivisaar, introducing the origin of the name.

Rediscovered Marienberg

The name Marienberg has strong historical roots, originally referring to the Maarjamäe Palace completed in 1874. The name ‘Maarjamägi’ came into use in the late 1930s as a translation of Marienberg. Today, Maarjamäe refers to the area extending from the Maarjamäe Palace of the Estonian History Museum towards Pirita, mainly consisting of private homes. At the same time, the area along Pirita Road extending towards the city centre from the palace, including the planned Marienberg development, belongs to the Kadriorg neighbourhood with around 900 households. Its separation by Narva Road and distance from Pirita leave the area somewhat without a clear identity or sense of belonging. Many residents of the apartment buildings do not feel part of either the Kadriorg or Maarjamäe community and city residents tend to visit the neighbourhood mainly as guests of events at the Song Festival Grounds or the Flower Pavilion, or as visitors to the well-known restaurant Tuljak.

Marienberg – A Future Community Hub

Marienberg has a wonderful opportunity to bring together as a community the apartment buildings that have emerged in the area in recent years, the private homes both near and far, and the families moving into the new neighbourhood centre. Marienberg will be developed on the site of the current Estonian Fair Centre, bringing to the neighbourhood a six-group kindergarten, a local grocery shop and a namesake market square where community events can be held. The neighbourhood will also feature a pedestrian-friendly main street surrounded by small businesses and services. Historically, the area has for centuries been one of many summer retreat locations in Tallinn and Marienberg will continue this tradition by offering a wide range of leisure and sporting opportunities for all ages. More than half of the neighbourhood will be covered in greenery. In the future, the green promenade will offer opportunities to engage in urban gardening, read a book on a comfortable park bench, play on the playground, participate in different sports or meet neighbours on the running track. In Marienberg, families who have previously looked for homes in suburban detached houses will find a new, spacious home. It will attract both local residents and visitors from further away, who come to spend time, use the services of small businesses or enjoy a pleasant environment for walking or active leisure with friends, before finishing the day with dinner in one of the local cosy restaurants.