Nordicum - Real Estate Annual Finland 2011 | Page 33

Of course, the view to the
neighbouring Tapiola and Otaniemi should be something to
see – but they still pale in comparison to the sea view.
Pöyhönen and Poutiainen
comment that the towers will
provide seaside views which
are unprecedented in the country – and just about anywhere in
Scandinavia, as well.
After years of working with the concept, the zoning plan will become public in
the spring. The City of Espoo
is backing the venture, believing that it will help bring some
new action into the neighbourhood. Technical Deputy Mayor
Olavi Louko comments that residential seaside living of such
high standards is a clear asset
to the area – and the entire City,
as well.
“The metro station and the
residential buildings will introduce a new level of diversity into the area.”

Big Plans for
Niittykumpu
Beyond the high-powered triangle of Keilaniemi-OtaniemiTapiola, one finds Niittykumpu area which will also house
a metro station in the years to
come. Originally, Niittykumpu
received only an option for construction, but in the end it was
deemed wiser to realise the station together with the others.
There are presently automobile retail operations in the
area, but they will be relocated
to new, suitable premises. Together with its partners Varma
and Sato, SRV wants to plan
and raise new residential buildings in the vacant area. The initial plan calls for a construction
of 150,000 square metres.

“We’re talking about
2,000 apartments in the area,”
says Poutiainen, adding that
construction could conceivably start in 2013, if everything
goes well.
According to Poutiainen,
also the street infrastructure will
be improved in the development
process:
“The street network is really a crucial part of the project.”

Perkkaa Perks
SRV is busy elsewhere in Espoo as well – just off the Leppävaara railway station, there
is an interesting environmentally-minded community being
planned. In October 2010, Siemens sold the lots and the building it owns in Espoo’s Perkkaa

suburb to a three-way partnership of SRV, Sato and Ilmarinen.
The zoning revision for the
area is already in process, with
the aim to form new blocks for
top-notch residential buildings.
In the future, the area
should be transformed into yet
another neighbourhood where
living, recreation and jobs are
located close to each other. The
intended living floor area is
110,000–120,000 square meters, which translates into some
1,500 apartments. The planning
of the area is driven by its central location as an extension of
the Leppävaara urban center –
as well as energy efficiency.
The Perkkaa area is a great
fit for SRV’s residential strategy, says Poutiainen.

Make the Connection
The plan also includes a deck
that will span over Ring I, connecting the residential site to
Tapiola. The deck will be transformed into a green, garden-