Helsinki’s Allas Pool to be demolished if developer secures permanent commercial use

Helsinki’s current Allas Pool facility will be demolished if developer Nordic Urban secures permanent commercial rights to the site, the property development company confirmed to Yle.

The city has granted Nordic Urban a development reservation to build a larger, permanent seaside spa on the existing location. The project requires completing repairs to the waterfront wall and obtaining building permits before construction can begin.

According to Nordic Urban’s development director Petteri Lautso, the waterfront wall will not be rebuilt until the zoning plan gains legal force, pushing the renovation timeline into the 2030s. The company has requested temporary alternative premises to continue operations during construction.

The existing Allas Pool, opened in 2016, attracts around 800,000 visitors annually. Its current lease expires in 2030, and the proposed expansion—dubbed Allas Pool II—aims to address capacity constraints by adding a larger sauna complex, indoor spa, and year-round event spaces, including concert and conference facilities. All current services will remain, with an estimated project cost of €65 million.

An international architecture competition for the redesign will be held this year, with the winning entry serving as the basis for zoning work.