NCC has announced that it will opt out of the development of the Kontula shopping centre at this stage.
In February 2024, Kontula shopping centre companies and NCC Property Development Oy signed an agreement on researching the potential for developing and planning of the Kontula shopping centre area. Negotiations between NCC and the City of Helsinki on the development of the Kontula shopping centre began after the agreement was signed in the spring of 2024.
The developer partner NCC was tasked with exploring the possibilities of implementing the shopping centre's development project.
— Developer partner NCC's decision means that the city needs to find other solutions to develop the shopping centre. Paths are being considered in cooperation with real estate companies. The city's goal is to continue the planning and development of the shopping centre. We hope to be able to share more information already at the mayor’s next resident evening, which will be held at the end of April in Kontula,” says Senior Specialist Joonas Vikman from the City of Helsinki.
Shopping centre owners also aim to develop the area and renovate the shopping centre to modern standards.
The city and shopping centre owners will start negotiations on the extension of land leases and development prospects
The City of Helsinki owns the land of the Kontula shopping centre area, which it leases to four companies. The facilities of the Kontula shopping centre are owned and leased by four companies: KOy Kontulan Asemakeskus, Kontulan Ostoskeskus Oy, Kontulan Palvelutalo Oy and the Helsinki City Real Estate Company, KOy Helsingin toimitilat.
In matters related to the facilities, the shareholders will receive information from the companies’ boards and the tenants will receive information from the shareholders whose premises they are renting.
Land lease agreements between the shopping centre companies and the City of Helsinki are due to expire at the end of 2025. The city and shopping centre owners will start negotiations on the extension of land leases in March. In 2019, the land lease agreements were extended for five years.
Area planning can be started when the path of progress has been agreed together with the city and real estate companies. City planning is promoted in interaction with residents, entrepreneurs and other actors in the area.
—It is important that entrepreneurs and residents have their voices heard in the development of the shopping centre. We want participation to be easy with a low barrier to entry,” says leading expert Tiia Ettala from the City of Helsinki.
