New Padel Center at Volta: Endover and Siim Tuus Bring World-Class Sports Facilities to North Tallinn

A people-friendly and modern urban space is meant to offer residents diverse opportunities for an active lifestyle near home. This spring, a padel center will open in the revitalized Volta quarter, and by early 2026, the Volta HUB will be completed along with a MyFitness sports club. The head of Volta’s new padel center and two-time Estonian champion, Siim Tuus, talks about why padel is so popular in Estonia and what the top-tier padel courts at Volta will be like.

Padel Courts in Estonia and the New Volta Sports Hall

There are currently around 100 padel courts in Estonia, of which only 58 are indoor courts. Despite this, the courts are often fully booked—padel’s popularity and the number of players are growing faster than new courts can be built. “It’s clear that people want to play, and the demand for new courts is high,” notes Siim. Often, players need to book a court a week in advance to secure a spot.

North Tallinn currently has only one padel center with six courts on Helme Street, but residents of Kalamaja and Kopli don’t have a convenient place to play near their homes. This is exactly why Endover came up with the idea to build a large and versatile sports hall in North Tallinn, offering opportunities not only for padel but also for other sports. Siim immediately agreed to take on the role of managing the Volta padel center. “I really liked the idea, and being part of the creative process has been truly exciting. I was fully on board with the plan to provide people with as many diverse sports opportunities as possible close to home.”

New Center – Top-Level Facilities and a Wide Range of Sports

The first phase of the new sports hall will be completed as early as March, when four padel courts will open at Volta. The larger sports hall, set to be completed in the second half of the year, will offer a truly diverse experience. In addition to padel, the facility is considering adding opportunities for beach volleyball, pickleball, disc golf, billiards, and climbing. “The exact lineup of activities is still being finalized, but the goal is to offer a wide range of sports and create a top-level training environment,” adds Siim.

A High-Quality Center with Exclusive Amenities

One of the key advantages of the center, set to be completed in the fall, is its high-quality lighting and playing conditions, as well as an exclusive sauna and lounge area where players can relax after a match. “The location is also ideal—it offers great accessibility and the opportunity to play sports close to home,” notes Siim.

The Popularity of Padel Lies in Its Simplicity

The racket sport padel, originally from Mexico, may initially resemble tennis, but its unique rules and enclosed court give it a distinct identity. “Padel originated from a Mexican businessman’s desire to build a tennis court in his backyard. Due to space limitations, he had to come up with a new set of rules. This led to the creation of a smaller court with high walls, which eventually developed into a new sport. The first rules were established by the businessman and his wife, and the game quickly spread through their social circles,” explains Siim. Padel gained widespread popularity in the 1990s when it expanded to Argentina and Spain. “Over the past ten years, Estonia has experienced a true padel boom, and today we have around 5,000 players,” Siim adds.

Padel is particularly popular because of its social aspect—it is a doubles game, and interaction is a key part of the experience. Another reason for its appeal is its simplicity. “Most amateur players had no prior experience with either padel or tennis. Padel doesn’t require a long learning period, and even beginners can enjoy their first matches right away,” Siim confirms. “You just need to learn the rules, understand how to hold the racket, and you’re ready to start.”

For those with a more serious interest, a coach or an experienced player can help refine skills and take the game to the next level.

Padel Is Not Tennis

While padel’s scoring system is similar to tennis, its rules, stroke techniques, and playing style are quite different. The biggest distinction is that a padel court is enclosed by walls, which significantly change the game’s dynamics. “Padel adds a spatial dimension because you have to consider that the ball can bounce off the walls and land somewhere unexpected,” explains Siim. “In tennis, if a corner is open, you can confidently aim for it, but in padel, you have to anticipate where the ball will go after bouncing. A powerful attacking shot can easily turn into an opportunity for your opponent if the ball bounces right in front of their net position.”

Another key difference is the specialized racket and ball used in padel. The ball looks similar to a tennis ball but has lower pressure. Additionally, padel does not have the traditional overhand tennis serve. Instead, serves must be executed at or below waist height.

How Did Padel Arrive in Estonia?

Siim played competitive tennis both in Estonia and while studying at a university in the U.S. He discovered padel after completing his master’s degree there. In the fall of 2017, he was invited to lead Estonia’s first padel center, but at first, the idea didn’t seem very appealing to him. “When I was offered the position, I had never played padel before, so I was initially quite skeptical,” Siim recalls.

After discussing it with a few close friends who were passionate padel fans and highly recommended the sport, he decided to take the offer more seriously. “We agreed that I would try playing in Finland over the weekend and then make my decision,” he says. After just a few games, Siim immediately saw the potential in padel and felt it was worth developing in Estonia as well. When he returned, his decision was clear: “I said, let’s do this!”

As an experienced tennis player, Siim had a strong advantage even as a beginner—he was already familiar with racket handling and movement. However, padel’s defensive play, which is often compared to baseline play in tennis, required a different approach. “Tennis players tend to hit the ball too powerfully at first, which can prevent them from fully appreciating the beauty of padel. But with a bit of guidance, the game quickly becomes very enjoyable,” he explains.

Siim actively competes in padel tournaments and has won the Estonian championship twice. He has also represented Estonia in European and World Championships. “Nowadays, a new generation of young players is emerging with great enthusiasm, and with my busy schedule, I don’t have as much time to play as often. I get on the court about once a week and participate in competitions to stay competitive,” he says.

Tallinn’s Future Hub at Volta

Great news for sports enthusiasts—construction is underway at Volta for the new business and community center, Volta HUB, which will introduce the area’s largest and most modern MyFitness sports club by early 2026. In addition to a state-of-the-art gym and group training sessions, Estonia’s most popular fitness chain will bring exclusive boutique studios and a sauna area to Volta.

Life at Volta is already regaining its historical vitality: stroll through the quarter’s newly developed inner streets, admire the seamless blend of historic and modern architecture, enjoy gourmet bites in Volta’s cozy cafés, attend art lectures at the wine bar, or explore the latest offerings from Volta’s fresh design boutiques. The area is also home to pet grooming services and several beauty salons.

In the near future, Volta will see even more additions, including new commercial and residential spaces, recreational opportunities for all age groups, a food street, and a kindergarten.

To enhance the urban experience, all parking in the district will eventually be moved underground, making way for a lush, tree-lined park running through the heart of the quarter.

The Capital’s New Hot Spot

North Tallinn has become the city’s fastest-growing residential and business district. At its heart lies the former Volta industrial quarter, which has been transformed in just a few years into a modern and vibrant urban space. Positioned between Noblessner Marina and the future Krulli district, Volta is set to be a key hub in the area.

According to real estate statistics, Volta quarter has been Tallinn’s most popular new development for two years in a row.

A Legacy Over 120 Years in the Making

The history of Volta Quarter dates back more than 120 years, when the first factory buildings were constructed. Over the years, the factory produced 10 million electric motors and played a key role in illuminating the city of Tallinn. One of Volta’s most famous creations was the iconic Volta waffle iron, a piece of history that continues to live on in the architectural design and identity of the modern Volta Quarter.

Today, the revitalized quarter is defined by a unique fusion of industrial heritage and contemporary urban life. Red brick facades, historic limestone walls, expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, and lush greenery create an inviting atmosphere that inspires and encourages an active lifestyle. Volta offers stylish homes and commercial spaces, available both in restored historic buildings and energy-efficient new constructions.

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