In order to develop the Elielinaukio and Asema-aukio Square area, an international invitation-only architectural competition was launched in 2020. The winner of the competition was architectural office Snøhetta’s proposal Klyyga. The aim of the competition was to find a solution that improves the area’s pedestrian environment and strengthens the vitality of the city centre by creating new business and office space. The competition was organised by Elielinaukion kehitys Oy together with the City of Helsinki.
Comfortable pedestrian environment
Approximately 250,000 pedestrians pass the main railway station every day. The majority of them are passengers arriving in or leaving the city centre by public transport or changing from one means of public transport to another.
The attractiveness, enjoyability and safety of the busiest pedestrian environment in the centre of Helsinki will improve significantly as the area becomes a spectacular and clear complex with the new pedestrian streets and square. In the plan, the pedestrian routes of Elielinaukio and Asema-aukio Square mainly correspond to the current connections, but the routes are more spacious than at present. The first floors of the new building in Elielinaukio will be open space in which restaurants, shops and service facilities increase the city centre’s service offering. The interior can be accessed from every corner of the building, which also allows access routes through the building.
More plants are also planned for the area. In addition, individual trees could be planted in the southern part of Asema-aukio Square. The trees and plants have been planned as part of the comprehensive railway station and Kaivokatu area.
New office space in the best spot in downtown
The purpose of the infill construction is to increase the supply of facilities in the city centre and to strengthen the city centre as a place for jobs. The office spaces will be located on the upper floors of the building.
The new building on Elielinaukio is planned to have two wings that will narrow upwards. The facades look different from different directions. From the Asema-aukio square, the wing buildings appear to be made of stone, and from the direction of Sanomatalo, they appear to be glass. Between the wing buildings there is a lower building that connects the interior. All building elements have flat green roofs that also serve as various kinds of patios.
The block of the Vltava building remains unchanged. It will be connected with a glass connection to the commercial and office building built on Elielinaukio.
The Asema-aukio Square transport pavilion will be moved closer to the Sokos building to the location of the outgoing car ramp. The new pavilion building is better suited to the urban structure and provides space for an enjoyable pedestrian environment and square. In addition to terminal facilities, the pavilion building also has space for small business operations and cafés.
The draft detailed plan available until 17 January
You can examine the draft detailed plan from 16 December 2024 to 17 January 2025 on the city’s website. The plans can also be discussed at a resident event at 16–18 on Tuesday 14 January 2025 in the Kuutio space on the 2nd floor of Central Library Oodi at Töölönlahdenkatu 4.
The aim is to present the draft plan and the received feedback to the Urban Environment Board in the spring of 2025. The detailed plan proposal will be presented to the Urban Environment Board in the autumn of 2025. The plan then proceeds through the City Board to the City Council.
A more comfortable pedestrian centre and improvements to public transport planned in the heart of the city
Changes are currently being planned around the main railway station as part of the transport system plan for the city centre. The plan was discussed by the Urban Environment Board in autumn 2024. The plan proposes significant reforms to the area’s traffic arrangements, in particular to improve the pedestrian environment and the accessibility of public transport. The aim of the ambitious plan is to enable the development of the centre of Helsinki to an international-grade pedestrian centre.
