Most of the market hall’s existing lessees will return from the temporary facilities to the renovated market hall in the spring. However, some businesses have ceased operations or otherwise changed their plans during the renovations.
“There will be vacant sales spots in the second floor, in particular, and we are now seeking interesting operators to rent them. This gives us an excellent opportunity to update the market hall’s service selection and think about what today’s urbanites want to see there,” says Peggy Bauer, CEO of Helsinki City Premises Ltd, the company managing Hakaniemi Market Hall.
There will be a dozen sales spots available. You can find more information about them on the website of Helsinki City Premises. Suitable bakery and confectionery operators are being sought for the ‘bread street.’ The first floor of the market hall also has a vacant spot for a meat vendor, among others. There are several sales points of various sizes available on the second floor.
The market hall’s facade facing the market square will have a new large terrace that will connect the hall and the square in a natural way. The open call for a terrace operator will be announced in 2023. The second floor of the market hall will also have a grand restaurant venue, the operator for which will be Ville Relander, the owner of the restaurants The Cock and Madonna. The operator was selected through a call for tenders.
Hakaniemi Market Hall is called the most authentic market hall in Helsinki. The market hall offers high-quality fresh produce, such as fruit and vegetables, meat, bread and fish. Visitors can also find gifts and souvenirs, jewellery, textiles, coffee, tea, organic products, flowers and a shoe repair shop.
“We promise to hold on to the authentic market hall atmosphere and diverse product selection,” Bauer says.
Modernisation while respecting tradition
During the renovation project, the interior of the market hall, constructed in 1914, has been restored almost to its original appearance, while the building services engineering has been modernised. The main contractor of the project is the City of Helsinki’s own construction enterprise Stara.
The market hall now has an underground accessway directly from the metro station. The arched windows facing the market square have been expanded, and they will also feature new exits to the terrace. The interior of the market hall will have a space for customers to sit down and enjoy the delicacies.
The basement now has over 900 square metres more space. The new basement includes staff facilities, dry and cold storage and technical facilities. The accessibility of the building has also been improved with an entrance ramp.
The renovation project was delayed from the original schedule. The main cause for the delay was the construction of an underground maintenance space and other underground facilities, which were not included in the original project plan. The concreting of the maintenance space has been slowed down by the rough and fragmented bedrock, which is currently being reinforced and injected. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has also delayed material purchases.
The market hall is planned to be completed in late February, after which vendors can move to the renovated facilities. The specific opening date has not yet been confirmed, but according to current knowledge, the market hall should open in April.
After the move, the temporary facilities in Hakaniemi Market Square will be demolished. The demolition will take 2 or 3 months, approximately. Negotiations on the relocation of the temporary hall are underway.
“That means that now is the last chance to experience the holiday season of the beloved Hakaniemi glass hall,” Bauer points out.
How to apply for a sales spot
You can see more information about the vacant sales spots on the rental facilities website(Link leads to external service).
If you are interested in renting a shop venue in Hakaniemi Market Hall, please email vuokraus@kaupunkitilat.fi(Link opens default mail program) and tell us more about your business and plans. You can request more information on the facilities from Merja Sorakari, Team Manager for markets and halls, tel. +358 400 190 588.
