The main building of Finlandia Hall was renovated to meet today’s requirements, bearing in mind that the building is protected. The impressive interior of the building has been restored, keeping as much of the original as possible. Accessibility, lifts and energy efficiency have been improved. The technical building services have been renovated to meet today’s requirements. The facilities on the ground floor have been opened in the direction of Töölönlahti Park and the services have been diversified with the help of a new, modern kitchen to facilitate and streamline the work of the staff.
At the same time, renovated facilities have been provided for new services aimed at city residents and visitors.
Finlandia Hall is protected based on the Act on the Protection of the Built Heritage, as a result of which the planning of the renovation project has been conducted in collaboration with the Finnish Heritage Agency and the Alvar Aalto Foundation. Designed by architect and academician Alvar Aalto as a concert and congress hall, Finlandia Hall is one of the most significant modern buildings in Finland. It is part of our national cultural heritage.
The building is owned by the City of Helsinki, and the Urban Environment Division is responsible for planning the renovation which started in 2021. The contractor for the renovation has been Skanska Talonrakennus Oy.
Finlandia Hall has remained open without interruption
Finlandia Hall will function in the premises of Little Finlandia, temporary facilities next to Finlandia Hall, until January 2025. There is also a lunch café in the temporary facilities.
Recycling the old marble from the façade
The façade of Finlandia Hall has been renovated as part of the project.
The new surface material for the façade was selected on the basis of extensive studies and tests. The new material selected, marble from the Italian region of South Tyrol, is more durable than the current material and meets the protection requirements.
Removal of the old marble from the façade of Finlandia Hall started in phases in June 2022. Most of the removed marble was recycled for reuse as raw material.
Renovation was completed in November 2024
The construction works were completed in late autumn 2024. There have been 38 people in the design and construction organisation. At best, the project management contractor has employed close to 250 people at the same time.
During the renovation, the technical building services of the main building have been upgraded throughout. The work has been carried out without damaging the surfaces to be protected and while preserving the original appearance of the premises. The technical capabilities of the building have been upgraded to cater for international conference and corporate guests as well as private tourists and visitors.
On the Mannerheimintie side, work has been going on underground on the building’s new kitchen and technical facilities. This has minimized the need for modifications to the above-ground building elements.
After the renovation, the biggest change to the interior is the possibility to introduce new exhibition, café, restaurant and shop facilities.
See drone video of the Finlandia Hall from April 2024.(Link leads to external service)