Plans underway to complete unfinished apartment buildings in Joensuu

In Joensuu, plans are in place to complete the unfinished apartment buildings in the city center that were left incomplete after the construction company went bankrupt last fall. Local entrepreneur Jarmo Heikkinen has acquired the structures of two buildings and the associated property located along the Pielisjoki River in Penttilänranta. He has not disclosed the purchase price.

Heikkinen noted that he purchased the buildings primarily because their unfinished state is a blight on Joensuu and the construction industry as a whole. “It has been an unbearable situation to have bare structures in the city’s best location,” he explained. The project originally included plans for 54 apartments, with one building completed prior to the bankruptcy.

Heikkinen acquired the unfinished property through his investment company, and a construction company has been established to oversee the project’s completion. He aims to finish the buildings similarly to the previous company, as the necessary permits are already in place, although some small changes may occur.

An external engineering firm is currently assessing the condition of the unfinished structures and will prepare a moisture management plan. “There are no materials that deteriorate when wet, only a stone-based framework,” he clarified.

Construction is set to commence in August with site preparation and protective measures. The goal is to reach the roofing stage by fall to ensure the materials dry properly before proceeding with subsequent phases. Residents of the finished buildings will also be consulted about the construction process, as Heikkinen is conscious of the inconveniences they have already faced.

The completion of the buildings is estimated to take about two years, with no decisions yet made regarding whether the units will be sold or rented. Prior to the bankruptcy, five apartments had been sold in one of the unfinished buildings, and buyers have mainly received their money back.