Hangö Casino faces demolition unless sold or restored

Hangö’s historic Casino building is at risk of collapse due to severe decay, with city officials now debating whether to sell the landmark or repurpose it as an artist residency, Yle reports.

The 145-year-old wooden structure, a protected cultural site and one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks, requires millions of euros in urgent repairs. Without intervention, the building—unused for most of the year due to its poor condition—could be lost entirely.

City councillor Ville Ekroos (National Coalition Party) has proposed selling the Casino, arguing that Hangö lacks the funds for restoration. “The building’s current state clearly shows the city cannot afford to keep it,” Ekroos told Yle. His initiative has sparked fierce debate, with some councillors opposing privatisation while others advocate for adaptive reuse.

A 2023 structural assessment confirmed extensive damage: widespread moisture problems, leaking roofs and windows, outdated electrical and plumbing systems, and a failing fire alarm. Many of these issues were first flagged in a 2009 inspection, but no major repairs have been undertaken due to budget constraints.

Calls for a year-round cultural hub

Left Alliance councillor Mi Grönlund, chair of the city’s cultural committee, has counter-proposed transforming the Casino into a multi-arts centre and artist residency. Her plan envisions year-round exhibitions, performances, workshops, and a cultural café, with potential funding from the Finnish Heritage Agency and EU regional development grants.

“The project would preserve this historically valuable building while creating a vibrant space for both locals and visitors,” Grönlund said. She acknowledged that ownership and operational models would need separate negotiation.

The city council must decide soon—either commit to a costly restoration, find a buyer, or risk losing the building to irreversible decay. A 2023 survey of councillors revealed deep divisions: while 100% of Swedish People’s Party and Green League members supported retaining the Casino, opinions among other parties were split, with some favouring sale.

Built in 1879 as a seaside restaurant and social hub, the Casino once hosted grand balls and concerts. Though its heyday has long passed, its neoclassical façade remains largely unchanged—a rare surviving example of 19th-century coastal architecture in Finland.