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Description
The warehouses of Kuressaare port are the oldest stone buildings in the city, marking the historical port area. To enliven the heritage conservation area in Kuressaare and bring new breath and energy to one cultural monument that is currently not publicly used, reconstructing the port warehouse building/complex could enrich the local public space.
The building is a monument. The project ensures restoring of the original appearance of an architecturally outstanding building. The building was established in 1663, most of the time it has been used as a warehouse or granary, in the last quarter of the 19th century and in the beginning of the 20th century, it was also the merchant Schmidt’s steam mill. One of the oldest and distinctive port warehouses that have been maintained in Estonia, also one of the biggest (compared to the Hiiumaa port warehouse or the 19th century Paldiski port warehouses). In the cityscape, the building is in a dominant spot because it is much higher than the surrounding buildings.
As a result of reconstructing the port warehouse and fixing up its surroundings, a new significant part of historical public space is added to the Kuressaare cityscape. The port warehouse shall become a representative building as one of the first original civil buildings in Kuressaare (in addition to the city hall, weighing house, and market building) and could also become the symbol of Kuressaare, offering exciting architecture, joy of discovery, and beauty in the cityscape.
When planning the building’s interior, it is taken into account that 2/3 of the reconstructed area would be for theatre, cinema, concert, and universal halls. Co-operation with Kuressaare Linnateater could continue; the programme for the space, however, allows one to organise different events. Additional space for performers is also established separately to offer the best conditions to event organisers.