Jätkäsaari
JätkäsaariJätkäsaari will be built by the open sea on the southwestern tip of Helsinki as an extension of the city’s urban centre. It will create homes for 21,000 residents and 6,000 jobs. A fifth of the area will consist of parks.
The Jätkäsaari area
Jätkäsaari is an urban seaside district. The compact construction, sheltered and closed residential blocks, street-level shops, and trams make Jätkäsaari feel like the inner city. The sports park and Hyväntoivonpuisto (Park of Good Hope) that snake through the centre of Jätkäsaari, provide residents with recreation and leisure activities.
The housing selection in Jätkäsaari is diverse. Owner-occupied housing, privately financed and state-subsidised rental housing, right-of-occupancy housing, student housing, and senior housing are all being built in the area. Additionally, Jätkäsaari has many group building projects with various housing models and concepts.
The area’s architecture has a modern and experimental approach, which you can see in the construction of a Parisian-style roof level and the use of colours, for example. The number of stories in buildings decreases, as they approach the seashore. Connected town houses, low-rise blocks of flats, and row homes will be built near the shore.
Public art is being incorporated into Jätkäsaari for the residents to enjoy. There are already many works of art on the streets, such as the Länsilinkki bridge, a piece installed in a phone booth entitled Back to the Future, and Jätkäsaarenlaituri's Horisontti (‘the horizon’).
Artists are primarily commissioned to create new artwork designed for the installation site.
Public art on Helsinki Art Museum's web site(Link leads to external service)
One fifth of Jätkäsaari’s area, or about 20 hectares, will be covered with parks that provide room for exercise, relaxation and play. When ready, the largest green area, the Hyväntoivonpuisto (Park of Good Hope), will be a one-kilometre-long and nearly 100-metre-wide oasis containing the island’s main light transport routes. The park is the winner of the 2020 Environmental Structure of the Year award.
Zones and plans
The detailed local plans determine an area’s land use. For example, they show where we can build housing, offices and parks, or where the roads and other pathways are.
Construction
Jätkäsaari is one of Helsinki’s largest construction sites. What used to be a 100-hectare port and industrial area is undergoing a slow metamorphosis into a lively and enjoyable residential area.
The construction of Jätkäsaari began in 2010 and will continue until the end of the 2020s. The area is primarily being built one section at a time. The Hietasaari area was the first to be completed, and construction is progressing in stages towards the southern shores.
In 2026, construction will continue on several sites in Jätkäsaari. In particular, street and park projects, as well as improvements to seaside structures, will progress over the course of the year. Preparations for the construction of the Jätkäsaari Swimming and Sports Centre and the new winter swimming spot at Saukonpaasi are also well underway
Jätkäsaari Swimming and Sports Centre project nearing construction
The Bunker building itself has already been demolished, and the third phase of demolition – the demolition of the basement and the preparatory part of the new building – is expected to be completed in summer 2026. After that, the construction of the new Jätkäsaari Swimming and Sports Centre could start between 2026 and 2027. The construction is estimated to be completed in 2029.
Construction of the Saukonpaasi winter swimming spot begins
A new container sauna and official winter swimming spot will be built in Saukonpaadenranta. Löylykontti Oy, which is renting land from the City for the sauna and changing room facilities, has been selected as the contractor and operator through a competitive tendering process.
The City will build jetties and wave subduers on the site, as well as the necessary technical connections to operate these. Construction is expected to start in May or June 2026. The project is part of the OmaStadi scheme, which allows Helsinki residents to propose and vote for development projects in their neighbourhoods.
Street construction at Melkinlaituri and around Saukonkanava
Several major street construction projects will move forward this year. In the Melkinlaituri area, the streets are gradually being completed, and the first streets are starting to be built on the island area next to Saukonkanava. The construction of the street and seaside structures for the ocean quay on the edge of Ahdinallas will also begin.
Improvements to Porkkalankatu will continue between Länsisatamankatu and Länsiväylä, and municipal engineering and new pedestrian and cycling arrangements will be built on Selkämerenkatu. The renewal of Jätkäsaarenlaituri will be progressing near the port, and the section of Suezinkatu adjacent to Jätkäsaarenlaituri will be undergoing street construction involving the replacement of municipal engineering and structures.
In addition to this, finishing touches will be put on several street sections as their adjacent blocks are completed, for example in Laivapojanaukio square, Tongankuja and around Naurunkatu and Atlantinaukio square. Sections of Melkinlaituri between Atlantinkatu and Naurunpuisto Park will also be paved. In connection with finishing Atlantinaukio square, the Litorinameren kalastajat artwork will be completed on the square. The other part of the artwork has already been completed on Madeiranaukio square.
Work continues on seaside structures
The seaside structures will be repaired and rebuilt in several locations. The repair of the seaside structures on Melkinlaituri will continue, and a new contract including work on seaside structures and sea areas will start on Saukonlaituri.
Slopes have been filled and loading berms have been built in the Ahdinallas area to create favourable conditions for future seaside parks and a bathing beach. Actual construction can only start once the soil has stabilised, which is estimated to be in about three years.
Park planning progresses
The planning of new parks in Jätkäsaari will continue throughout the year. The construction planning of Neptunuksenpuisto Park will start, park and construction plans are being drafted for Tulimaanpuisto Park and detailed plans are being prepared for Naurunpuisto Park.
Planning for the Saukonnokka marina and canal area is underway, but requires decisions on water permits before implementation. Finishing work on the southern part of Hyväntoivonpuisto Park will continue in 2026.
Harbour tunnel and light rail planning progresses
At its meeting on 10 December, the Helsinki City Council approved a detailed plan that would allow for the construction of a harbour tunnel from Jätkäsaari to Länsiväylä. The planning of the West Harbour tunnel is being prepared by the harbour tunnel alliance. The alliance will start the development phase in early 2026, with the actual planning phase starting in the summer. The aim of the tunnel is to divert a significant portion of heavy port traffic away from the streets of Jätkäsaari.
Planning for the West Harbour light rail continues, with a project plan to be completed in early 2026. The planning will include a review of minor changes to the stop areas on Tyynenmerenkatu and possible green solutions.
Construction to impact daily life
In 2026, plenty of street, seaside and green area construction as well as pre-construction will be going on in Jätkäsaari. Construction of the circular economy block will start along Länsisatamankatu, and the planning of the central block will continue together with Skanska.
Construction projects can occasionally cause noise, construction traffic and temporary traffic disruptions. The City will inform residents about the progress and impact of the projects as the timetables become more precise.
Transport links
Jätkäsaari has excellent public and light transport links.
The improvements of the last mile connections to the West Harbour in the TWIN-PORT 3 project(Link leads to external service) have been co-funded by the Connecting Europe Facility.
Services
In the future, Jätkäsaari will have diverse public and private services. Jätkäsaari’s primary school is already open, and the city will add more day-care centres in addition to the current five as the number of residents increases. Commercial services will also increase gradually.