Helsinki Garden arena scaled back to core structure only

New conceptual images of Helsinki’s Garden arena, published Thursday by Yle, show a project stripped down to its essentials after years of scaling back.

Original plans for the site included a park, residential buildings, a hotel, basic services, and sports facilities. In May, officials announced the project would focus solely on the arena itself, dropping all other structures.

A statement released Thursday said the simplification makes the project clearer and more feasible, while allowing for increased capacity and greater functionality. The design now emphasizes a more streamlined massing and a calmer overall appearance.

“The simplification is most visible in the clearer massing and more tranquil whole. The architecture focuses on the essential: the arena’s functionality, experiential quality, and its role in the cityscape,” lead architect Tuomas Silvennoinen said in the statement.

Earlier designs featured high-rise towers along Nordenskiöldinkatu. The latest images show a smaller building than in previous versions.

The updated concept was designed by PES-Arkkitehdit, with SRV involved in construction. The goal is to secure a building permit by the end of 2027, allowing construction to begin in early 2028. The arena is expected to open to the public in early 2031.