YIT-led consortium is proposed as the developer of Jätkäsaari’s services block

The City of Helsinki proposes that the so-called services block in Länsisatama’s Jätkäsaari neighbourhood should be reserved for the consortium formed by YIT, Asuntosäätiö, A-Kruunu Oy, NAL Asunnot Oy and Saraco D&M Oy*.

The Urban Environment Division will process the City’s proposal in their meeting next week on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. The aim is to complete the jointly-prepared, local detailed plan draft during spring 2019, and that the plan proposal would be processed in early 2020.

The construction of the area can begin once the local detailed plan becomes legally valid, at the earliest in autumn 2020. YIT would have building rights for around half of the area.

The consortium’s “Jätkän Messi” concept plan for the services block aims to promote community spirit, provide more free-time activities and enable convenient everyday living for residents of all ages.

The planned block would include a hotel, a day-care centre, a grocery shop and restaurants as well as rental housing financed by interest-subsidy loans (A-Kruunu), apartments for young people (NAL Asunnot), right-of-occupancy apartments (Asuntosäätiö), jointly-constructed Hitas owner-occupied housing (Saraco) and non-subsidised housing (YIT).

“The communal block building in the centre of everything will complete the residents’ free time and bring together all of those who use the block, regardless of age. In addition to diverse housing and commercial services, the services block also offers residents services such as afternoon and evening activities for children and young people at the Arkki School of Architecture for Children and Youth. An interesting innovation in the services block is a new kind of professionally maintained urban farming area,” describes Mikko Pätynen, Land Acquisition Manager at YIT.

The city was looking for a contractor for Jätkäsaari’s services block with registration and negotiation proceedings in spring 2017, after which the parties defined the block plan and negotiated the plot’s reservation terms.

“We are very pleased with the result of the competition and the fact that we will be able to develop Jätkäsaari together with the members of the consortium. New possibilities for taking part in urban activities that will enrich the lives of all Jätkäsaari residents will surely be created around the village building and the Arkki School of Architecture for Children and Youth,” says Outi Säntti, Project Director at the City of Helsinki.

The services block is located in the middle of Jätkäsaari. The area is bordered by Hyväntoivonpuisto to the east and south, by Länsisatamankatu to the north and by Atlantinkatu to the west. The block includes two sheltered courtyards as well as a lively, market-like square for events that is bordered by business premises, the village building and the Arkki School of Architecture for Children and Youth.

The most advanced urban transport service centre in Finland is also being planned in Jätkäsaari’s services block. Using the centre, Jätkäsaari residents will be able to choose the means of transport best suited for their needs at any given time. The centre, located in the block, offers charging points for electric cars, cars for communal use and a space for self-service bicycle maintenance. In addition, the centre’s ground floor hosts city bikes and bicycle stands for short-term locking.

*In addition to the developer partners, the consortium also includes nine services partners: 24 Rental Network Oy, Arkki School of Architecture for Children and Youth, Famifarm Oy (Järvikylä), Majoituspalvelu Forenom Oy, HOK-Elanto, Liikennevirta Oy, Mehiläinen Oy, Toughbyte Oy, City Dev Labs Oy. 

For further information, please contact:

Mikko Pätynen, Land Acquisition Manager, YIT Finland Ltd, tel. +358 (0)40 711 0184, mikko.patynen@yit.fi

Outi Säntti, Project Director, City of Helsinki, tel. +358 (0)9 310 25976, outi.santti@hel.fi

Jari Mäkimattila, Managing Director, A-Kruunu Oy, tel. +358 (0)40 755 3924, jari.makimattila@a-kruunu.fi

Esa Kankainen, Managing Director, Asuntosäätiö, tel. +358 (0)40 758 5580, esa.kankainen@asuntosaatio.fi

Samuli Killström, Managing Director, NAL Asunnot Oy, tel. +358 (0)50 420 3964, samuli.killstrom@nalasunnot.fi

Merja Rukko, Project Director, Saraco D&M Oy, tel. +358 (0)40 132 6848, merja.rukko@saraco.fi

Hanna Malmivaara, Senior Vice President, Group Communications, YIT Corporation, tel. +358 (0)40 561 6568, hanna.malmivaara@yit.fi

YIT is the largest Finnish and significant North European construction company. We develop and build apartments and living services, business premises and entire areas. We are also specialised in demanding infrastructure construction and paving. Together with our customers, our nearly 10,000 professionals are creating more functional, attractive and sustainable cities and environments. We work in 11 countries: Finland, Russia, Scandinavia, the Baltic States, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland. The new YIT was born when over 100-year-old YIT Corporation and Lemminkäinen Corporation merged on February 1, 2018. Our pro forma revenue for 2018 was approximately EUR 3.8 billion. YIT Corporation's share is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Oy. www.yitgroup.com 

A-Kruunu is a special assignment company operating on behalf of the Finnish government as well as an efficient and responsible developer and owner of affordable rental apartments. The company’s objective is to develop around 800 apartments annually that residents appreciate, to have wooden apartment buildings built and promote innovation in housing. The company operates in the Helsinki metropolitan area and other larger urban areas. 

Asuntosäätiö is a developer and property owner that specialises in the development of areas and diverse housing. It develops around 400 apartments every year for various types of ownership. The Group owns around 17,000 apartments and is the fourth biggest owner of residential properties in Finland. Its largest subsidiary, Asuntosäätiön Asumisoikeus Oy (Asokodit), owns around 16,000 right-of-occupancy apartments across 31 municipalities. The Group’s activities are based on continuous improvement and on producing high-quality housing services together with carefully-selected partners. 

NAL Asunnot Oy is a non-profit corporation that develops and rents out affordable apartments to young adults who are working or looking to enter working life. NAL Asunnot owns nearly 1,800 apartments in the Helsinki metropolitan area and other larger cities. The corporation aims to develop over 600 new apartments in the Helsinki metropolitan area by 2022. The corporation is owned by The Finnish Youth Housing Association NAL, the nationwide advocacy group for young people’s housing needs. 

Joint construction is a new method of acquiring an owner-occupied flat. Saraco D&M Oy is Finland’s first and most experienced joint constructor. Consultant-led joint construction projects put the resident genuinely at the forefront and make it possible to realise your dream home.  Residents will become shareholders of the housing company as the project starts and they have ample opportunities to influence the design solutions in both the apartment and the shared spaces. Saraco D&M prepares and manages the project professionally and the residents are not expected to do volunteer work or participate in shared activities. The new apartment is realised at cost price by tendering all acquisitions.www.saraco.fi