Lutheri Factory Complex

Architect

ARS Projekt

Location

Vana-Lõuna 39, Tallinn, Estonia

Size

18 271,5 m2

Status

Completed in 2018

Photos

Kaido Haagen, Jarmo Kauge

Typology

Historical, Residential

Tags

Residential, Refurbished, New City Area, Tallinn

In the second half of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century, Tallinn rapidly industrialised and numerous large factories were erected. The Lutheri complex was built for processing timber,  it was a pioneering developer of veneer in Europe and a producer of bentwood furniture that is still prized today. In addition to the factory buildings, new prosperity was reflected in an expressive workers’ club (architects Gesellius, Lindgren & Saarinen, 1904 – 1905) and Christian Luther’s villa (Vassilyev & Bubyr, 1909 – 1910); both commissioned by internationally renowned architects of the era and featuring nuanced, decorative takes on Northern Art Nouveau. A number of the factory buildings have now been renovated into airy and spacious lofts with a solution that accentuates its industrial past. Even the complex’s car park, built into a former top-lit machine hall, is probably the most glamorous in Tallinn.