The development of the attractiveness of Konepaja is also of great importance in increasing the vitality of the city as a whole. Helsinki's urban strategy aims to strengthen the city's attractiveness as a city of sustainable tourism, culture and events. That is why it is important to have more and more functional and diverse event areas in the city.
During the spring, dozens of operators at Konepaja and its surrounding area have been intensifying their cooperation, with the aim of making the area better known and more attractive, especially for local residents but also for tourists. Working together will boost the area and, as its attractiveness grows, both local businesses and residents will benefit as the range of services on offer expands.
Further development will continue in the near future when more new businesses move into the area as the final buildings and renovations are completed. Although the area will continue to be built up in the coming years, especially along Teollisuuskatu, local residents and people from near and far have already been discovering the businesses and enjoying the historic surroundings.
“The Konepaja area is at the heart of the transformation as the Teollisuuskatu area between Pasila and Kalasatama develops into a multifunctional district of work and culture. The employment axis from Ilmala via Pasila and Vallila to Kalasatama will be strengthened as the Teollisuuskatu environment becomes more compact, opening up diverse opportunities for businesses in an easily accessible area. At Konepaja, new things will be built and old ones refurbished while respecting the valuable industrial landscape of the area, which is more than 100 years old. Thousands of people once made a living from building train carriages in the area, and now modern offices and apartments are bringing the area back to life,” says Päivi Ahlroos from the City Registry Office.
Both office and residential construction – and the new Pöllölaakso
Since 2006, around 1,400 new apartments have been completed in Konepaja and its eastern part, and a hybrid building combining office space and apartments is currently under construction along Teollisuuskatu in the heart of Konepaja. In the winter, the architectural competition for the office- and hotel complex along Teollisuuskatu Electrical Train Hall was concluded. A new hotel is also planned for the top of Aleksis Kivenkatu.
The most recently completed buildings in Fredriksberg offer not only sports, restaurants and hotels, but also an office hotel serving a large number of businesses, and the new MTV3 offices, which have attracted extensive media attention. The relocation of Maikkar from Ilmala's “Pöllölaakso (Owl Valley)” to Konepaja on the corner of Teollisuuskatu and Sturenkatu has added to the interest in the area.
Konepaja Festival to open the Konepaja season on 10 June
As business cooperation has intensified and traffic during construction has decreased, companies have seen opportunities to use the open spaces for events and other activities. Events in the area will also allow local operators other than those working in the stone buildings, such as small producers and artists, to use the Konepaja environment to showcase their activities.
The first event will already be celebrated in early summer, when the all-day Konepaja Festival takes place on 10 June 2023. The Konepaja Festival will feature local performers, and businesses in the area will showcase their facilities to the public. Visitors will also be able to take a peek into previously closed spaces, if construction has progressed far enough. In cooperation with local residents, the very popular Konepaja street market will be held at the same time, and free tastings of the businesses' services will be offered.