Oulu’s historic market sheds returned after nearly a decade in storage

Four wooden storage sheds dating back to the 19th century were moved back to their original location on Oulu’s market square early Friday morning, ending a relocation that began in 2017 due to construction of the Torihotelli hotel, Finnish broadcaster Yle reports.

The sheds had been temporarily stored at Ahtisaari Square, roughly 300 meters away, while the hotel project faced repeated delays. Two were returned earlier this week, with the final pair transported overnight using flatbed trucks and cranes to lift them onto steel beams.

Satu Kaikkonen, SRV’s project manager overseeing the move, described the operation as meticulously planned to avoid disrupting market activity. “When dealing with museum-grade structures, precision is critical,” she said. “These sheds are a vital part of Oulu’s historic waterfront environment.”

The prolonged absence led some residents to forget their original placement. “People grow accustomed to temporary arrangements,” Kaikkonen noted. Timo Sandman, a 30-year Oulu resident, observed the preparations Thursday and admitted the sheds’ interim location had begun to feel permanent.

Work crews labored through the night, lifting the structures onto trailers by crane and transporting them along a preapproved route. Kaikkonen confirmed the final sheds were in place by 4 a.m., though dismantling the cranes extended the operation further.

Owned by the city of Oulu, the sheds will undergo renovation before being reopened to vendors. The adjacent Torihotelli, slated to open in July, includes a 1,200-capacity event hall and has been under construction since 2017 after multiple setbacks.