Investor plans luxury resort on former Yle holiday island

Investor and business developer Asko Schrey is planning a private luxury resort on Högkopplan, an island in Espoo’s Suvisaaristo archipelago, Yle reports. The plans require a change to the island’s zoning.

Schrey bought the island for 742,500 euros last autumn. It was used as a recreation site for Yle employees from 1948 to 2025.

The old holiday cottages are to be demolished and replaced with modern rental cabins. The island’s old villa is planned to be restored to resemble its original design.

Schrey has said publicly that he wants to create a luxury destination that could attract superstars such as Shakira or Cristiano Ronaldo. Visitors would travel to the island from the mainland by boat, helicopter or hovercraft.

Ossi Keränen, Espoo’s head of detailed planning, considers the plans realistic. He said the project could become a high-end destination, although he did not know who might actually visit it.

The new buildings are intended to fit into the island’s surroundings, Keränen said. He also viewed the restoration plans for the old villa positively.

Construction depends on zoning process

The island is currently covered by a local master plan that designates it for buildings serving recreational and entertainment purposes. The city is considering a shoreline detailed plan, which would provide more precise zoning for the proposed resort.

The construction schedule depends on how quickly the zoning process advances. If the plan is initiated soon and no appeals are filed, construction could begin at an early stage. An appeal could delay the start of construction by as much as two years.

Espoo will not take part in developing the island beyond the zoning process. The new resort will therefore be developed with private funding.