Topping-out ceremony held at Tartu Südamekodu

Südamekodud and Tartu Ehitus celebrated the topping out of the new Tartu Südamekodu building near the Estonian National Museum with a traditional wreath ceremony. In the first stage of construction at Ermi 13, a modern living environment for 120 elderly residents will be completed in the summer of 2024.
The wreath was brought down from the roof by Südamekodud AS Chairman of the Board Meelis Mälberg, Tartu Ehitus AS Project Manager Meelis Linde, and Site Manager Kermo Kärtmann.
According to Tartu Parish Mayor Jarno Laur, the completion of Tartu Südamekodu will bring much-needed additional care service places for the elderly in the parish. “It’s great to see the building progressing as planned, and it’s a joy to note that a truly fine home is taking shape. Since the first-stage apartments will be filled quickly, we are already looking forward to the next construction stages of Tartu Südamekodu,” Laur said.
Tartu Deputy Mayor Mihkel Lees noted that the number of people in need of elderly care home places in Tartu is growing rapidly. “Over the past year, the number of people receiving care services with the city’s support has nearly tripled. However, many Tartu residents still live at home with family assistance or in other care homes across Estonia, waiting for a chance to move to Tartu or its surroundings, such as here near Raadi,” Lees said.
Südamekodud Council Chairman Martin Kukk said that each new care home place has a positive impact on the entire social care sector. “The effects of the care reform are long-term — as new places are added, the system gradually becomes more organized, services more personalized, and quality more consistent across Estonia. While we are also moving toward combined solutions that help people stay in their own homes longer, the current need for care home places remains high, and Tartu Südamekodu, which will open its doors in the autumn, will certainly help ease that shortage,” Kukk said.
“In parallel with the construction work, we have also begun building up the services and team for Tartu Südamekodu — after all, it’s the people who give life to the home and create a sense of belonging for residents. We are now looking for a manager for Tartu Südamekodu, who will have an exciting opportunity to launch one of Estonia’s most modern care homes by September, with the support of our experienced team,” Kukk added.
According to Tartu Ehitus Construction Manager Indrek Kanni, winter arrived earlier than expected, but thanks to teamwork and strong cooperation with partners, the construction is still on schedule. “By spring, the interior will be ready, after which we will move on to finishing the outdoor areas,” Kanni explained.
Built in cooperation with EfTEN Real Estate Fund AS subsidiary EfTEN Ermi OÜ, the care home is being developed in stages: by July 2024, the main building and interior works in the first and second sections will be completed. The third section’s interior works are planned for the second stage, after the first two have started operating. The total cost of the first stage is approximately 5.3 million euros, excluding VAT.
Tartu Südamekodu will be located in a modern residential area that will eventually include a complete concept of housing, business premises, educational institutions, and other public buildings.
Südamekodud is Estonia’s largest provider of elderly care services — the group operates 11 care homes across the country, housing more than 1,000 residents and employing over 450 people. The group’s homes are located in Käru, Piigaste, Lihula, Värska, Saaremaa, Kunda, Kohtla-Järve, Valkla, Paide, and Tallinn (Merivälja and Pirita), with a new home opening soon in Tartu. Südamekodud’s goal is to create and develop safe and comfortable living environments for a dignified old age.