The art nouveau Small House of the Vanemuine Theatre was built from 1914 to 1918 (architect A Eichhorn). The decision to build a new, modern theatre building was made after the building of the summer theatre of the German Society of Artisans that used to be located in this spot perished in a fire.
http://www.visittartu.com/en/small-house-of-the-tartu-vanemuine-theatre-former-german-theatre/