Next Generation Partners

Real estate and construction in Estonia

Cobalt

Aivar Taro leads the ‘committed, competent and solution-oriented‘ team at Cobalt, whose ‘wide range of competencies‘ includes high-profile real estate transactions in Estonia. As part of these transactions, the group often works on due diligence and document preparation. On the contentious side, there are also experienced litigators in the group, such as Liina Linsi, who often represents international construction companies in disputes. The team has been increasingly focused on real estate matters in the energy sector, a trend of the wider market in Estonia in recent years.

Praxisleiter:

Aivar Taro


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Liina Linsi; Sandra Sillaots; Siim Vahtrus


Referenzen

‘The team was very skilled and had broad knowledge outside of the scope from the field. Gave me the impression that I could trust that they are a specialist in their field, and they had good communication skills in order to explain complicated matters in detail.’

‘Aivar Taro handled the engagement well.’

‘Wide range of competencies, easy to work with and lawyers bring in assistance from other team members when necessary. Quick answers and cross-border support. Deadlines kept, especially under time pressure.’

Kernmandanten

Aquila Capital


LHV Varahaldus


Nordic Real Estate Partners (NREP)


Galio Group


Porto Franco


Corum Asset Management


Baltic Horizon Fund


Northern Horizon Capital


Consolis/E-Betoonelement


Satnam/Capfield


Graanul Invest


BPT Real Estate


Workland


Pro Kapital Grupp


Pirita Tee Development


Baltek Arendus


OMA Ehitaja


Viru Keemia Grupp


Kapitel AS


Jysk Linnen`n Furniture OÜ


Enery Österreich GmbH


Tallinn City


OX2


Vestas


European Energy


Aberdeen Standard Investments


Outotec


Eurowind Energy


Pakrineeme Sadam


Ministry of Finance


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advised Pakrineeme Sadama on selling its LNG loading quay in Paldiski, as well as the related infrastructure and port property to Estonian Stockpiling Agency.
  • Advised Neo Performance Materials on the development of a magnet manufacturing plant in Estonia, including the acquisition of land, EPC contract, power purchase agreement etc.
  • Advised Tallinn City on renegotiating with BCA Center PPP contracts for the lease of five school buildings in Tallinn.

Ellex

Due to its longstanding presence in the Estonian market and the number of transactions completed in Eastern Europe on a yearly basis, Ellex has the capacity to assist a variety of companies with major real estate and construction projects and disputes. Among its clients are large energy companies and real estate funds. Martin Käerdi and Martin Triipan lead the team, with the former being central to the team’s work in infrastructure and energy matters. Senior associate Kaisa Laidvee is a go-to practitioner for environmental cases related to real estate.

Praxisleiter:

Martin Käerdi; Martin Triipan


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Kaisa Laidvee; Jaanus Ikla; Risto Vahimets; Triin Frosch; Ermo Kosk


Kernmandanten

Eesti Energia


AS Infortar


Elering AS


European Bank for Reconstruction and Development


Nordecon AS


Graanul Invest AS


Gren Pan-Baltic


Oiltanking GmbH


Veho


Swedbank


Viljandi Real Estate OÜ


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advising Enefit Energiatootmine on the construction of a 300MW oil-shale and biomass fired power plant in Auvere, Estonia.
  • Advised Eesti Gaas on the acquisition of 100% shareholding of Gaso from current shareholder Latvias Gaze.
  • Advised Gren on the acquisition of heating network operator VKG Soojus from VKG Group.

Sorainen

Sorainen‘s team ‘stands out for its exceptional knowledge of the field and client-oriented approach‘. It assists clients across the full cycle of cross-border real estate transactions, benefiting from a ‘specialised knowhow and a high level of seniority in the team’. Senior partners include experienced practitioners Paul Künnap and Piret Jesse, who head the team and both work on complex, international real estate and construction matters regularly. Elsewhere, senior associate Triin Ploomipuu is well versed in property transactions.

Praxisleiter:

Paul Künnap; Piret Jesse


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Triin Ploomipuu; Britta Retel


Referenzen

‘They constantly have a wide range of specialties. Thus, they can react fast and with the right “tools”.’

‘Specialised knowhow and a high level of seniority in the team. Actionable advice.’

‘Team is well composed, and the result was as expected.’

Kernmandanten

Decathlon


Embassy of the United States in Estonia


Rail Baltic


Sunly Group


Estonian Ministry of the Environment


Kaamos group


Titanium Baltic Real Estate Fund


Novira Capital


Stockmann


Hõbevara


Dynatrace


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advising Decathlon on negotiating a commercial lease agreement for the largest sports store in the Baltics.
  • Advising Sunly Wind on the administrative procedures needed for obtaining superficies licences for offshore wind farms.
  • Advising Rail Baltic on the development of the pan-Baltic Via Baltica railway.

WALLESS

Following it's merger with FORT in early 2024, WALLESS has recently been involved in a number of high-value real estate deals, and is also providing general assistance to Lidl, a new client to both the firm and the Estonian market. Minni-Triin Park, who heads the team, is able to work across the full spectrum of real estate and construction matters and is supported by environmental law specialist Margus Kõiva and Kuldar Jaan-Torokoff, who is a key contact in the team for contentious real estate matters. The practice also benefits from the expertise of Piret Kergandberg, Angela Kase and Margo Lemetti.

Praxisleiter:

Minni-Triin Park


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Margus Kõiva; Kuldar-Jaan Torokoff; Piret Kergandberg; Angela Kase; Margo Lemetti


Kernmandanten

Capitalica Asset Management


BPT Real Estate/Newsec


Lidl


LHV Pension Funds


EfTEN Capital


LEGEND HOTELS


Capital Mill


Kapitel


LNK Group


Viru Keskus AS


Crowdestate OÜ


Estonian Environment Agency


Perton Ehitus


Highlight-Mandate


  • Represented Lidl Estonia as legal partner for its real estate department, which is very busy due to Lidl’s rapid expansion in Estonia.
  • Advised borrower Paged Group on refinancing matters, alongside Baker McKenzie Poland.
  • Represented Kapitel in negotiating an agreement with Swedbank, which will locate its new headquarters to Arter quarter (under development), occupying the entire 28-storey building.

Eversheds Sutherland Ots & Co

Eversheds Sutherland Ots & Co operates as a ‘full-service legal team with innovative approaches to challenging and complicated situations’ in both commercial and residential property. Maivi Ots, who ‘shows full engagement‘, is extremely experienced in real estate law; she runs the team and is well known for M&A-related real estate matters. A new addition to the team in September 2022 was senior associate Margit Lahevee, who has been involved in many of the team’s matters since her arrival.

Praxisleiter:

Maivi Ots


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Kristi Jõemets; Dmitri Zdobnõh; Margit Lahevee


Referenzen

‘Full-service legal team with innovative approaches to challenging and complicated situations.’

‘Maivi Ots shows full engagement.’

Kernmandanten

Estonian Stockpiling Agency (Eesti Varude Keskus AS)


E-Piim Tootmine AS


City of Tallinn (Tallinna Linnakantselei)


Estate Developers OÜ


Epler & Lorenz AS


Rotstein OÜ


Ecobay OÜ


Highlight-Mandate


  • Assisted Estonian Stockpiling Agency with the acquisition of a recently constructed liquefied natural gas (LNG) mooring quay with associated infrastructure and port property from Estonian private enterprises.
  • Acting for Tallinn City Government in setting up the ownership structure and building film studio complex Tallinn Film Wonderland.
  • Assisting Ecobay with a significant planning development project in Tallinn.

Loor

Loor‘s workload centres around business-related property work stemming from private companies and is skilled in a range of commercial real estate matters. Practice group head Kaido Loor‘s work is representative of this; he assists both institutional and private investors in buying and selling a range of real estate. In addition to this, the group is able to advise on investment transactions and shareholder agreements.

Praxisleiter:

Kaido Loor


Kernmandanten

Hepsor


Mitt & Perlebach


Apartment union Heki 8


M.M.G.Invest


Palmgrupp


Pinered


Rosewater


Highlight-Mandate


  • Assisted Hepsor with a joint venture developing a centrally located office and medical facilities building.
  • Advising Hepsor on entering into 50-50 joint venture with Tolaram for the development of apartments.
  • Advising Mitt & Perlebach on a 224-apartment construction contract with a regional developer with target price mechanism.

NJORD Law Firm

At NJORD Law Firm, the growing team is prominent in complex real estate transactions, utilising its contacts in the Nordics and large team operating across the region to assist a range of global clients. Restructuring expert Veikko Toomere and transactional specialist Jelizaveta Henno jointly lead the group. Additionally, Raimo Klesment specialises in spatial planning, making the group well placed to handle real estate matters with technical planning elements.

Praxisleiter:

Veikko Toomere; Jelizaveta Henno


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Raimo Klesment


Kernmandanten

Nevotex Eesti OÜ


Geodeesia24 OÜ


MBK Co., Ltd, Estonian Japan Trading Company AS


Tommi Mäkinen Racing OÜ


VG Estonia OÜ (Coolbet)


Real Estate Strategy Usaldusfond


Danish Embassy in Estonia


Roobu II OÜ and OÜ ALTEPARK


Viking Line (Viking Line Eesti OÜ)


Lumi Capital OÜ


Wihuri OÜ; Wihuri Oy


GVP Invest Estonia OÜ


Huber Manser Wealth Management OÜ


TalTech


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advised GVP Invest Estonia on construction and financing issues in connection with the construction of a second Hilton hotel in the centre of Tallinn (Hampton by Hilton).
  • Advised VG Estonia on the acceptance of the large lease premises (more than 3,000 m2) that had been built by the landlord, real estate developer PORTO FRANCO.
  • Advising Real Estate Strategy Fund and Huber Manser Wealth Management on the acquisition of real estate and investments into real estate projects in Estonia, Kazakhstan and Mongolia.

NOVE

NOVE ‘provides a unique combination of excellence in legal theory and profound knowledge in detailed practical matters’. These matters involve contract drafting and procurement, and the firm's clients include major construction companies. Kristjan Tamm is the go-to practitioner in the team for construction-related mandates, and ‘has experience, and therefore a profound knowledge, in construction and related subjects'. Tamm leads the team alongside Marika Mugur, who specialises in the design and architecture sector.

Praxisleiter:

Kristjan Tamm; Marika Mugur


Referenzen

‘Nove provides a unique combination of excellence in legal theory and profound knowledge in detailed practical matters.’

‘Kristjan Tamm has experience, and therefore a profound knowledge, in construction and related subjects.’

Kernmandanten

AS Lääne-Tallinna Keskhaigla (West Tallinn Central Hospital)


Merko Ehitus Eesti AS


Restor OÜ


EstKonsult OÜ


Alvar MÜ TÜ


Metsapäike OÜ (subsidiary of Sunly AS)


Tallinna Ehitustrust OÜ


Suvila Projekt OÜ


Highlight-Mandate


  • Assisted a subsidiary of Sunly with the preparation of construction and supervisory contracts for the largest 45MW solar power plant in Estonia.
  • Advised Restor on court proceedings regarding debt collection from the developer of the Hotel Regent Tallinn for €1.5m.
  • Advised Merko Ehitus Eesti on a €1m claim against a large local real estate developer.

TARK

TARK‘s team has a longstanding presence in Estonia, with experience advising many real estate developers, strategic investors and construction companies over the years. In 2023, the group continued to consolidate its strong international and local client base, and has developed a niche in retail, wholesale and shopping matters. Allar Aru, Hannes Küün and M&A-related real estate matters expert Tanel Tark jointly lead the team. Tanel Küün has strong knowledge of domestic and international corporate law.

Praxisleiter:

Allar Aru; Hannes Küün; Tanel Tark


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Tanel Küün


Kernmandanten

Riigi Kinnisvara


UPM-Kymmene Otepää OÜ


Gren Eesti AS


VAKLAK


OÜ Hundipea


Bestrade OÜ


Lopec&consorters OÜ


Notorious OÜ


AS Krulli Kvartal


Ramirent


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advising Notorious on the acquisitionsof real estate (SPVs) required for the development of Hundipea (Paljassaare Peninsula).
  • Advised UPM-Kymmene Otepää on the due diligence and negotiation process of competing enterprise and its respective immovables, etc.
  • Advising Riigi Kinnisvara on its daily operations involving different real estate and construction matters connected to the development, operation and lease of public real estate.

TGS Baltic

TGS Baltic‘s ‘very strong and versatile‘ team is well versed in a range of matters, from public contracts to construction disputes to real estate transactions. The highly regarded Peeter Viirsalu balances a broad workload and is proficient in contractual matters and disputes, among other areas, and Eva Arumets works on the full life cycle of real estate projects. The group was bolstered by the 2024 arrivals of Karin Marosov, Jana Tudelep and Ingeri-Helena Kakko following the firm’s merger with PwC Legal.

Weitere Kernanwälte:

Eva Arumets; Jana Tudelep; Ingeri-Helena Kakko


Referenzen

‘A very strong and versatile composition team led by a creative and very able leader in Peeter Viirsalu. They truly cover all aspects of our real estate development and construction business needs.’

‘Peeter Viirsalu is our number one go-to attorney with every legal problem we might have. He is very proficient in real estate related matters (both contractual and litigation), but also has an excellent knowledge and ample experience in other legal matters as well. Combine this with his high approachability and professionalism and you have a legal partner that you enjoy working with.’

‘A quality team.’

Kernmandanten

Hepsor AS


Invego OÜ


Reterra Estate OÜ


City of Tallinn (Tallinn City Hall)


Kodumaja AS


Tallinn University (Tallinna Ülikool)


Mapri Ehitus OÜ


Port of Tallinn


Vintselle OÜ


Timbeco Woodhouse OÜ


The University of Tartu


Estiko AS


Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Estonia


Nordicelement Tallinn OÜ


EstHus OÜ


Framm AS


LHV Varahaldus AS


Hausers


KRC Ehitus


Golden Fields


Volta 1


Tähtvere Tehnopark OÜ


Linnakodu OÜ


Espak Ehitustööd OÜ


Green Estonia OÜ


Wolf Group OÜ


Tartu linn


osaühing Rail Baltic Estonia


Riigi Kinnisvara Aktsiaselts


Oracle East Central Europe Limited Eesti filiaal


Porto Franco OÜ


Colonna Varahaldus OÜ


Osaühing Paleton


Corle OÜ


OÜ Lagedi Keskus


Andro Vilu


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advising KRC Ehitus on a complex building project in Tallinn.
  • Advising Neiq Finants on the €3m acquisition of a boutique hotel in Tallinn.
  • Advised Tähtvere Tehnopark, a subsidiary of Reterra Estate, on a complex multi-level sale and built-to-suit transaction.

Cuesta Law Office

Cuesta Law Office, which ‘has very experienced and pragmatic specialists‘, adopts a multidisciplinary approach, with one client noting that ‘the good cooperation between the real estate team and tax team is an advantage’. Britta Oltjer leads the team on landmark deals and transactions and is well supported by Lada Riisna and Valeria Arsju, the former of whom has a strong knowledge of real estate sales and structuring and finance matters.

Praxisleiter:

Britta Oltjer


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Lada Riisna; Valeria Arsjuta


Referenzen

They have very experienced and pragmatic specialists working for them. Good knowledge of cross-border issues. The good cooperation between the real estate team and tax team is an advantage.’

‘Top specialists in real estate transactions and we have had longstanding experience with them.’

‘We recommend Britta Oltjer who has a very good knowledge of the real estate industry. Lada Riisna is strong in structuring and finance matters. Professional team with experts in a diverse range of matters.’

Kernmandanten

AS Chemi-Pharm


Lindenline OÜ


ETRE OÜ


Kitsas 16 Kodu OÜ


Arens Ehitustööd OÜ


Allprint HM OÜ


Dreibau OÜ


Brix Systems


Riho Kalve


Silmalaser OÜ


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advising Lindenline on questions arising from financing a real estate development project, and representing the client in all pre-trial negotiations.
  • Assisted AS Chemi-Pharm with preparing a legal due diligence report.

LEADELL Pilv

Through its collaboration with other law firms, LEADELL Pilv often works on cross-border matters and is singled out for its ability ‘to understand the needs of the client‘. Seasoned litigator Merilin Ojasaar and real estate transactions specialist Pirkka-Marja Poldvere jointly lead the team.

Praxisleiter:

Merilin Ojasaar; Pirkka-Marja Põldvere


Referenzen

The team is open, professional, and has good legal and ethical principles. ‘

“I cooperated with Merilin Ojasaar. I highly appreciate his professionalism, conscientiousness, and ethical principles. ‘

‘Very professional people. As the team they are able to offer the best possible solution.’

Kernmandanten

Petromaks Holding OÜ


Petromaks Nõlva Sadam OÜ


Estkompexim Toitlustus OÜ


Otepää Rural Municipality Government


LVM Kinnisvara OÜ


Evicon Ehitus OÜ


Osaühing Taimar Teenused


Teca Grupp OÜ


Staadioni Varahaldus OÜ


Kadrikese Haldus OÜ


OÜ Kuldaru ST


Highlight-Mandate


  • Representing the Otepää Rural Municipality Government in a dispute over the use of a subsidy for construction works.
  • Advising Evicon Ehitus on contractual law questions.
  • Represented a client both inside and outside of court regarding environmental permits.

Magnusson

Magnusson has a global reach and is active within the Baltics and Scandinavia, often handling work of a multijurisdictional nature. Toomas Mälberg and Kaidar Sultson head up the team. Mälberg stands out for his concentration on real estate work with an emphasis on infrastructure matters, whereas Sultson has strong connections with the financial services industry and often works on civil disputes.

Praxisleiter:

Toomas Mälberg; Kaidar Sultson


Kernmandanten

Tallinn Film Wonderland


Procurator Eesti


Motor Group


Wild Cabins


DEPO DIY SIA


Standard


Enersense Group (previously Empower)


Baltania


Mehka Eesti


Viimsi Hospital


UPM-Kymmene Otepää


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advising Tallinn Film Wonderland on a broad range of legal issues related to the establishment of Tallinn Film City.
  • Advising Standard AS on the drafting and performance of the contracts related to furnishing and construction works regarding hotels in Sweden, Denmark, Belgium and Finland.
  • Advised Finnish supplier of occupational safety products Procurator Eesti on obtaining the use permit for the building and the sale of a property.

RASK Attorneys-at-Law

The group at RASK Attorneys-at-Law is well placed to advise on both contentious and non-contentious issues in the real estate and construction sector and focuses in particular on real estate transactions. Ramon Rask, who has advised several large real estate funds in Estonia, leads the team alongside Marina Lapidus, who has an ‘extensive background in real estate which makes her a very reliable partner even in the most complex cases'.

Praxisleiter:

Ramon Rask; Marina Lapidus


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Timo Kullerkupp


Referenzen

‘The team consists exclusively of highly competent, friendly and skillfully selected people with excellent communication skills, with whom it is always pleasant to communicate. The entire team, starting with the office manager and other supporting team members has received the best possible training. RASK offers high-quality, high-level legal services. They are a reliable partner that gives the client the assurance they need. The whole team stands out for its efficiency and the desire to achieve the best possible result for the client, taking into account the reality as well as all the necessary circumstances. Very good professionals.’

‘Timo Kullerkupp and Ramon Rask have been indispensable for us in resolving various disputes, managing investments and in a large variety of daily legal matters. Marina Lapidus is also a highly qualified attorney in her respective field. Her extensive background in real estate makes her a very reliable partner even in the most complex cases.’

Kernmandanten

Püha Johannese Kooli SA


Nordecon AS


Nordlin Ehitus OÜ


Elle Capital OÜ


Fausto Capital AS


Lumi Retail Property Fund


Lumi Retail Partners OÜ


MAVE Varahalduse OÜ


Zenith Family Office OÜ


Tallinna Teaduspark Tehnopol


Triniti Estonia

Triniti‘s team ‘handles each situation keeping the client’s commercial interests in mind‘. It has a notable strength in the energy sector, as well as in infrastructure projects of all sizes with a real estate angle. Virge Murak, who has appeared in many real estate disputes, leads the team, and Ramil Pärdi is another key department member with experience in property, spatial planning and construction law.

Praxisleiter:

Virge Murak


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Ramil Pärdi; Klen Laus; Sandor Elias


Referenzen

‘TRINITI has a very efficient and skilled team. They always try to adjust to the client’s needs and focus on the client’s goal. They don’t just provide legal advice but try to handle each situation keeping client’s commercial interests in mind.’

‘We’ve been mainly working with Ramil Pärdi. He always provides us with advice he would follow himself.’

Kernmandanten

Utilitas Group


Kodea OÜ


Rail Baltic Estonia Ltd.


Reme Grupp OÜ


Kiikri Ehitus OÜ


Kroodi Vesi


Kodasema OÜ


Multivara OÜ


KOKO Arhitektid OÜ


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advising state-owned company Rail Baltic Estonia on spatial planning assignments related to planning and constructing a new high-speed railway.
  • Advised a real estate developer on a large-scale development in Narva-Jõesuu, Estonia.

WIDEN

In the real estate team at WIDEN, clients have access to specialist knowledge for matters relating to planning, real estate transactions, lease agreements, construction and tax. The group also works on contentious real estate matters. Practice head Marge Männiko ‘knows most of the big players in Estonia and has a very strong reputation‘ and is able to ‘handle tasks quickly‘.

Praxisleiter:

Marge Männiko


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Mats Volberg; Karoli Unus


Referenzen

‘Meeting deadlines and consistent communication with the client.’

‘They have the ability to listen to the client.’

‘The firm has many areas of expertise.’

Kernmandanten

TotalEnergies Renewables SAS


OBERMEYER INTERNATIONAL GmbH


Liven AS


Dasos Capital OY


Ministry of Finance


Oruvara OÜ


Retori Estate OÜ


Larsen Apartments


HANZA Mechanics


Arco Vara OÜ


RB Rail AS


Dorpat Ehitus OÜ


Highlight-Mandate


  • Conducted a study on territory planning, construction and wind power plant tender procedures for TotalEnergies Renewables to enter the Baltics offshore wind power plant market.
  • Advised Dasos Capital and its Estonian subsidiaries on negotiations concerning right of superficies agreements for renewable energy project development companies.
  • Advised Oruvara on acquiring real estate for an office building development, including the construction tender, drafting and negotiating the construction agreement.