In 2020, the City of Helsinki organised a concept competition for the development and sale of the L3 warehouse in Jätkäsaari for new use. In addition to the old port warehouse, the plot of land at Tyynenmerenkatu 6 has an industrial crane that is part of the development package. Three tenders were submitted to the competition by the deadline.
The selection of the winning entry placed emphasis on a viable proposal to develop the warehouse building and exploit existing facilities. The new owner is expected to design and produce diverse facilities for culture, leisure and spending time together.
“It is great that the historic warehouse will get a moderate yet effective development solution that is worthy of it. This will further strengthen the area’s attractiveness and appeal by leveraging the unique features of the building,” says Ville Lehmuskoski, Executive Director of the City of Helsinki’s Urban Environment Division.
Atrium space will form the focal point of the opened warehouse space
The evaluation team selected the proposal “L3 Baltic Sea House” (“L3 Itämeritalo”) of real estate investment company Cobbleyard Real Estate Inc. as the winner. The plan will transform the warehouse into a meeting place open to all, with restaurants, business premises and other facilities that can be adapted as needed.
The ground floor of the warehouse building will be opened to the public, the terraces will be renovated and opened further, and the implementation of a roof terrace will also be investigated. The first floor will be opened more extensively, using glass walls and doors to bring in natural light. An atrium will be created in the centre of the warehouse to serve as the focal point. Office space will be created on the second floor, and hybrid spaces for exhibitions and creative activities are planned for the upper floors.
“After the renovation, the building, which at the moment goes by the project name Magasinet, will remind people about the history of the area and act as a meeting place for today’s citizens. The goal is to open the building for its 100th anniversary in 2024,” says Mattias Lindfors of Cobbleyard Real Estate Inc.
As the project progresses, the city will sell the warehouse and the industrial crane for its new use. The winner of the competition can also purchase the land that the building stands on. The city also intends to proceed with the winner into further planning by the end of 2024. The proposed solution is based on the current town plan. After the Urban Environment Committee, the City Board’s Economic Development Sub-committee will discuss the proposal.
