Kulosaaren Ostoskeskus Oy and YIT are planning new construction to be implemented on the site of the demolished shopping centre in Kulosaari. At the junction of Kyösti Kallion tie and Svinhufvudintie, two buildings with 4–5 storeys would be built. A courtyard would be created between the buildings, providing a new meeting place for residents.
In addition to homes, street-level commercial space is planned for the new buildings. The commercial premises would be located in the courtyard and along Svinhufvudintie. Resident parking would be located in the underground parking garage and shorter-term parking spaces would be located along the street.
Maintaining the building not economically feasible for the company
The Kulosaari shopping centre is a representative example of an early 1960s shopping centre building. According to reports, the building is of cultural, historical and architectural value, but it is not protected. The shopping centre company wants to demolish the premises because it is not financially feasible for the company to keep the building.
Kulosaaren Ostoskeskus Oy owns both the plot and the building. Some of the commercial premises have been vacant for some time. The building has been maintained with partial repairs, but its current condition would require a major renovation.
According to a report by the company, the renovation of the shopping centre would cost at least 3.8 million euros. The property has no collateral value, which is why no external financing is available for the renovation. The majority of the shareholders of the property are unable to finance the renovation with their own funds, making it financially unfeasible.
During the preparation of the detailed plan, a solution to partially preserve the shopping centre was also explored. Only a very small proportion of the existing structures can technically be preserved. The renovated commercial premises would still be outdated and difficult to rent and would not meet current requirements. According to the commercial survey and the appraisal document of the property, preserving a part of the shopping centre would lead to a situation where the commercial space available would significantly exceed demand. In 2023, the shareholders decided that it is not possible to repair the centre.
Fate of shopping centre discussed for years
The shopping centre company first applied for a plan amendment for the plot in 2015. The aim at the time was to partially preserve the shopping centre building. The City Planning Committee referred the matter back for preparation with the approach to completely demolish the building and replace it with blocks of flats and brick and mortar commercial premises. A new plan proposal based on this was approved by the City Council in 2018.
The City Council's decision was appealed to the Helsinki Administrative Court. The Administrative Court overturned the decision because the plan materials did not contain sufficient information on the building history, condition and repairability of the shopping centre and its commercial prospects.
The shopping centre company has since commissioned the necessary reviews and reapplied for a plan amendment.
New plan and plan proposal to be presented online on 20 January
The materials and reviews for the detailed plan amendment can be found online at the City of Helsinki web page. The plan proposal and the preliminary plan for the new buildings will be presented at an online event from 17.00 to 18.30 on 20 January. The event programme and link to join the event can be found at the City of Helsinki Events web page.(Link leads to external service)
Comments on the plan proposal and the reference plan can be submitted to the City of Helsinki Register Office until 30 January.
It is estimated that the Urban Environment Committee will discuss the proposed detailed plan for the Kulosaari shopping centre in late spring 2026.
