Commercial services

The ongoing construction of the Pasila area will further emphasise Pasila’s role as a business hub, resulting in an increase in the variety of services on offer. Most of the new private services will be concentrated in the central blocks of Central Pasila.

The central blocks around the existing Pasila railway station will unite East and West Pasila into one entity, with construction commencing immediately to include the majority of service and cultural facilities in the area.

The construction plans cover more than 100,000m2, of which at least 15% will be reserved for housing, and the rest for office and commercial spaces.

Both the State of Finland and the City of Helsinki are landowners in Central Pasila, and are cooperating to develop the district. The State is represented by Senate Properties, which is an enterprise under the Ministry of Finance.

Senate Properties

Central Pasila. Picture City Planning Department
Pasila Railway Station is the busiest in Finland. Picture: Kimmo Brandt

Business premises and lots

Pasila is a key area of new office construction in Helsinki. At present, the Pasila area provides a large number of jobs at Finnish companies, international corporations, the media and State and City agencies.

In future, more than 1,000,000m2 of new office and business premises will be built in the seven sections of Pasila, with the area expanding to offer work for more than 50,000 people.

Central block as the heart of Pasila

The construction of Central Pasila begins at the high-rise building area and will continue to the central blocks next to the heart of Pasila – the railway station. The central block will be characterised by high quality aesthetics and functionality.

Along with new office and business premises, apartments, a metro service, underground parking garages and possibly even a church will be constructed in the area. The City of Helsinki and Senate Properties representing the State has arranged a “Design-Build-Own” competition for the central blocks. Construction will commence in 2015.

A spacious office area with basement floor shops and business premises will be built to the north of Pasila Bridge, with residential blocks in the west situated next to the office area.

Pasila railway station. Picture Kimmo Brandt
New office and business premises will be built in Pasila. Picture: Kimmo Brandt

Pasila high-rise area

Ten impressive mixed-use high-rise buildings are planned for Central Pasila, with space for pedestrian streets and recreational areas on offer in the area. The tallest building planned boasts 40 stories, with the lowest comprising some 20 stories. The first floors will be reserved for shops and businesses, the next few floors will be utilised as office space, and the top floors will offer elegant penthouses with breathtaking views.

Approximately 100,000m2 and 3,000-4,000 jobs are planned for the high-rises buildings, providing working space for some 10,000-15,000 people upon their completion. The high-rise area is also very eco-efficient due to its central location and compact building.

The high-rise area will offer lodgings for up to 1,200 residents. Terraces will be constructed on the top floors, providing superb views over the city. In addition, there are plans for building greenhouses within the buildings, which will offer a public space for all residents to enjoy. Furthermore, a panorama café open to the public is planned for the top floors of the tallest high-rise building.

The mixed-use buildings will exemplify modern architecture, with construction of the high-rise area commencing approximately in 2014.
 

Tower Buildings. Picture: City Planning Department
Tower buildings, plan. City Planning Department
Ten hybrid towers are planned for Central Pasila. City Planning Department
Tower Buildings at night. Picture: City Planning Department
Tower Buildings. Picture: City Planning Department
The tallest tower planned boasts 40 floors. Picture: City Planning Department
Tower Buildings. Picture: City Planning Department
Tower buildings, plan. City Planning Department

Pasila area

Media district Ilmala

Known as the TV Quarter, Ilmala houses the studios of the Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE and MTV3 (the most popular commercial TV station), as well as numerous smaller companies in the industry. New construction will double the number of office premises in Ilmala, offering more than 11,000 jobs. Construction commenced in 2007.

“Forum Virium Helsinki”, a meeting place for technologies, digital contents and media services will be built north of YLE. By 2015, half the office premises planned for Ilmala will either be completed, or under construction.

New and old together at Konepaja area

The Konepaja area consists of charming old machine shops and smaller brick buildings of the State Railways. With construction continuing until 2020, thousands of jobs will be created in the precinct, with the area offering a wide variety of office premises. An office high-rise called “Origo” will stand as a striking landmark of the quarter.

Good living in Northern Pasila

Northern Pasila offers great possibilities for living and working, with a number of new business and office premises planned for the southern part of the town plan area. Offering some 2,000 jobs at present, the number is set to increase to approximately 7,000 upon completion. With construction commencing within a few years, new residential areas will also be built to the north of the office area.
 

Pasila Media District. Picture: Kimmo Bnradt
The Konepaja area. Picture: Kimmo Brandt
Business premises in Northern Pasila. Picture: Kimmo Brandt