HS Espoo | The shopping center fell into disrepair in Espoo: “You have to do something to keep the buildings together”

In northern Tapiola A major renovation is planned for the traditional Pohjantori.

JMB Kiinteistöt oy, which owns the Pohjantori shopping center property, is applying for “new and modern service content and a spatial solution for the property”. The Business and Competitiveness Department of the City of Espoo dealt with the matter at the end of March.

On the social media, vague plans were frightened, as many Tapi residents would like to preserve the traditional landscape.

So what exactly is being planned for Pohjantorti? It is surprisingly difficult to explain, as the plans are still in their infancy.

In Completed in 1962, Pohjantori represents a typical shopping center of its time. It is a single-storey entity consisting of two separate parts at the intersection of the Louhentie and the Kalevala.

The North Market has been designed by architects Kaija and Heikki Siren. The area belongs to the nationally significant built cultural environments, ie it is classified as an RKY area. Pohjantori Shopping Center is not protected.

Tapiola initially had several similar small substations with local services. Pohjantori is currently the only Tapiola old grocery store with a grocery store. In addition to the transaction, Pohjantorti has hairdressers, offices and restaurants.

JMB Managing Director of Real Estate Joachim Bernerin according to the mall the premises are in very poor condition and at the end of their life cycle.

“The mall is also not terribly modern. There is something to be done to keep the buildings together. ”

Berner describes the layout of the current shopping center as fragmented and cumbersome.

According to Berner, rents for commercial apartments have been kept low in recent years, otherwise the premises would be vacant.

JMB Kiinteistöt bought Pohjantorin Liikehuoneistot less than ten years ago.

Fresh the draft plans envisage a total renovation of the shopping center of approximately 3,000 square meters. There are now about 2,000 square meters in Pohjantorti.

JMB Kiinteistöt has prepared the plans together with Kesko and Sarci Architects.

According to the plans, the smaller part of the existing shopping center with K-Market would be demolished and the larger part, ie the building on the Louhentie side, would be expanded.

“The goal is to keep the same spirit in the building. There are certainly some needs for change, too, ”says Berner.

“There will probably be no housing in it. The area is being developed as a business location.”

In the mall the cars of visiting customers would move to an underground parking facility with about 60 parking spaces. The car park currently used by Pohjantorti is not owned by the shopping center.

The driving interface to the Pohjantorti property and the maintenance of the property would move to Louhentie, north of the shopping center.

There are no observations yet of the renovation of Pohjantorti that JMB Kiinteistöt could share. According to Berner, more detailed plans for the area will be made later this year.

The people of Tapiola The residents’ association Tapiola Guild has already considered Pohjantori’s development plans.

Vice President of the Association Lea Siivolan According to Tapiola, the Guild has not formed an official position, but the formula group has unanimously stated a few points.

“In the RKY area, it would be extremely important to take into account the nature of the area and the fact that the site is suitable for very low-level construction, which leaves a green area outside,” says Siivola.

“We only consider placing cars under the mall to be a good thing.”

Espoon The City Government’s Business and Competitiveness Division has been open to JMB Real Estate’s plans.

According to the division, it is important that Pohjantori be preserved and that a sufficiently large, modern and diverse grocery trade can be developed for it.

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