The process of amending the local detailed plan for the Kivelä hospital area in Taka-Töölö is currently underway. As the current hospital services are largely being relocated elsewhere, the buildings that become vacant can be converted especially into housing. Some City services will also remain in the area, including a daycare centre and hospital services on a smaller scale than at present.
At the same time, the area enclosed by the walls can be better integrated with the surrounding Töölö district. The aim is for new entrances and walkways to better connect Kivelä to the area’s market squares and parks.
“The planning process began about a year ago, and we received a great deal of feedback on the initial options at that time. Residents also sent us their own designs. Opinions were particularly divided on the most sensible locations for new construction. We have now looked into the matter in more detail and come up with three new options,” says architect Santeri Nuotio.
The new land-use options differ from one another in terms of the scale and locations of new construction and its relationship with the existing environment. In one option, the stretch of Mechelininkatu would remain as it is; in another, the wooded rocky area would be preserved. The third option aims to address residents’ concerns about the future of the senior care home on Välskärinkatu. What all the options have in common is the preservation of the valuable building stock and the yard and garden areas. The City will ultimately choose one of the options to serve as the main direction for further development in the next stage of the planning process.
Historic environment to remain spacious and green
The Kivelä hospital area is located between the busy Mechelininkatu street and the extensive park areas of Sibeliuksenpuisto Park, Topeliuksenpuisto Park and Hesperia Esplanade. Enclosed by walls, the area is historically valuable and layered. The oldest surviving buildings date back to the latter half of the 19th century, and the area has developed almost every decade throughout its history.
Kivelä has the potential to become an exceptional residential area where the old and the new come together. Kivelä will remain spacious and green in the future too. Although there will be more new residential development, construction will not be as efficient as elsewhere in Töölö.
Discussion event to also showcase designs submitted by residents
The new land-use options will be presented at a discussion event to be held on Thursday 19 November at 17.30–19.30 in the auditorium on the first floor of Hesperia Hospital, at Välskärinkatu 12. The event will also feature a presentation of the draft designs submitted by local residents as part of the feedback process.
You can submit feedback on the City’s three land-use options via the Kerrokantasi service until the end of 2026. In Kivelä, residents will, for the first time, be able to compare the planning options using a 3D model of the city. The model allows you to view the area from different angles and get a sense of what the options would look like when viewed from your own window, for example.
The detailed plan proposal will be prepared in 2027. The aim is for it to be considered by the Urban Environment Committee towards the end of 2027.