Giant abandoned hospital “eating itself” could still be saved, authorities say

Authorities believe Lappeenranta’s decaying Tiuru Hospital—a massive, protected functionalist building—can still be restored, despite the city’s push for demolition due to safety concerns and soaring repair costs, reports Finnish public broadcaster Yle.

The 1939 building, designed by architect Jalmari Lankinen, served first as a tuberculosis sanatorium and later as a reception centre before being abandoned in 2012. The city, its majority owner, now argues the structure is beyond repair, with collapsing load-bearing elements, pervasive mould, and widespread vandalism. A 2021 assessment estimated renovation costs at €53 million—a figure likely higher today.

Lappeenranta Mayor Tuomo Sallinen called the hospital an “eternal problem,” stating no contractor would assume liability for repairs. “The city simply doesn’t have tens of millions for this,” he told Yle during a tour of the deteriorating interiors, where peeling plaster, broken glass, and structural damage were visible. The building has been condemned, with parts at risk of collapse.

However, the Regional State Administrative Agency (AVI) and the South Karelia Museum oppose demolition, citing the building’s historical, architectural, and landscape value. AVI maintains restoration remains feasible based on recent surveys, though its last inspection occurred in early 2024. The museum has criticised plans to remove the building’s protected status, a prerequisite for demolition.

Efforts to repurpose the site—including proposals for a private hospital—have failed. Since 2016, the building has stood unheated, accelerating decay. “Maintenance costs were enormous,” Sallinen said, justifying the city’s stance. Without demolition approval, the structure will continue deteriorating, he warned.