The modernization of the 314-metre-high Tallinn TV Tower that will start in April will cost over 100 million kroons, according to Aare Siimon, chairman of supervisory board of Teletorn, reported ERR.
A significant amount of the funding will be provided by EU structural funds. As a result of the renovation project that is expected to take one year, the TV tower should become a major tourist magnet in Tallinn.
Among others, it will have a partially open viewing platform and a cafe offering breathtaking views at a height of 170 metres.
Project architect Indrek Peil said that an agreement has been reached with the rescue officials concerning safety requirements. Although current evacuation stairwells cannot be expanded, there will be new elevators, electric systems and firewalls.
Before the closure of the TV tower, its 170-metre-high viewing platform was visited by up to 50,000 people a year that made is one of the most popular attractions in Tallinn. The tower was closed 18 months ago because its emergency exits did not comply with requirements.
Tallinn TV Tower was completed for the Olympic Yachting Regatta in 1980. When it was built in 1980, its elevator travelled only four metres a second.
Toomas Hõbemägi
I thought these towers were supposed to help create entertainment, not be the entertainment itself. I wonder if people are getting just a little too sentimental with these things. I mean, relics are great but there comes a time to move on.
Posted by: Telebrands | March 04, 2010 at 17:58