Nordicum - Real Estate Annual Finland 2011 | Page 39

says that the triangle will be developed considerably alongside
the metro project. Keilaniemi,
for instance, is likely to add a
skyscraper or two – and there
are also four residential towers
in the works.
The residential towers
would introduce spectacular,
seaside high-rise living into Finland on an unprecedented scale.
Also, the shoreline will be fully
revitalised as these plans turn into reality, believes Olavi Louko.
“At present, Keilaniemi shoreline is underdeveloped, but the metro and residential arrangements will help
bring some action into the area,” Louko comments, pointing
out that, for instance, cafés and
recreational activities could reverse the situation totally.

Vertical Passions
Turning attention inland to Tapiola Commercial Centre, one

learns quickly that there are a
lot of exciting things going on.
“There are numerous projects that will materialise by
2015, coinciding with the launch
of the metro,” says Antti Mäkinen. Primary among these is a
new shopping centre that will
have residential buildings constructed on top of it. According
to the plans, the new entity will
also feature a park on the residential deck.
“Right now we are looking
at about 150 apartments,” Mäkinen explains the magnitude of
the project which is just one example of how metro is going to
transform the venerable centre.
In four years, as the Christmas
shoppers hop on the brand new
metro to go to Tapiola, they will
find a centre that is very different from today.
Otaniemi is also standing
on the brink of a new era. Home
of the new “innovation university” Aalto, the area is like-

ly to add architecturally ambitious landmark buildings into
the campus. A completely new
university main building may be
in the cards for the future – located just off the metro station,
of course – but it is too early in
the game to say what will happen ne