Nordicum - Real Estate Annual Finland 2012 | Page 59

Photos: Renor

Red-brick Renaissance

One of the players active in building a new, dynamic Lahti, is Renor,
a Finnish real estate investment company that owns, develops and leases
business premises. The company’s forte is owning old buildings – mainly
former industrial properties – in different parts of southern Finland, retooling
old red-brick communities into modern business complexes.

T

imo J. Valtonen, Managing Director of
Renor, says that the company has big
plans for Lahti – especially for the historical Askon alue district. This red-brick
neighborhood is already home to plenty of
companies – and also Renor has its head-

quarters right here – but Valtonen believes
that there is still plenty of potential left. The
prime asset in the area, Asko 2 building,
alone could add another 14,000 square metres of space, if everything goes as planned.
“At present, we have 130,000 square

metres of leasable space of which about
80,000 is rented out,” he says.

Breaking Records
Real Estate Manager Timo Väisänen confirms that business is booming: “2011 was
a record year for us in office rental, with
5,800 square metres of new office space
rented out.”
The historical atmosphere of the former industrial milieu is one factor that
draws companies here – the first building
was raised in 1928. Also, the key location
practically right next to the train station
and Lahti city centre is a crucial element,
Valtonen and Väisänen comment. Still, in
the 40 hectare area one could do so much
more:
“We’re talking with the City to create
a true community here, one that would combine great connections with corporate and
residential elements,” Valtonen says, adding that Renor believes good things might
come out of the City’s plans to develop the
neighbouring travel centre.
“Solidifying the urban structure is one
of the big things on the table, and we want
to do our part in this.”

Sami J. Anteroinen

Nordicum 57