Helsinki’s Garden Helsinki arena project moves forward without hotels, offices, and housing

The planned Garden Helsinki arena in Helsinki’s Töölö district will proceed as a standalone venue, dropping earlier proposals for adjacent hotels, offices, and residential buildings, the project announced on Wednesday.

The updated design raises the originally underground arena about 20 metres closer to ground level, though parking and service facilities will remain below ground. The venue will maintain its connection to Helsinki’s old ice hall, with a capacity of 18,000–22,000 spectators depending on the event.

Project developer SRV and owner Projekti GH Oy now aim for a 2029 opening. The revised plan follows years of delays caused by zoning complaints, the Covid-19 pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and rising construction costs.

Jan Vapaavuori, chair of the project company’s board, acknowledged the challenges in a statement: “The project we were working on is no longer feasible in today’s world.” The simplified approach removes risks tied to residential and hotel construction, he noted.

A preliminary agreement with the City of Helsinki in 2024 revived the stalled project after earlier contracts expired.