Nordicum - Real Estate Annual Finland 2011 | Page 63

Kujala Logistics Centre in Lahti. fastest in the world,” Määttä says. “The Lahti Cleantech Park is to become a centre of 100,000 square metres, where over 2,000 experts seek solutions for material and energy-efficiency and other challenges of sustainable growth.” Logistically Optimal Location ited by groundwater,” says Juha Helminen, Lahti City Geodesist. “The area is suitable for larger than average companies with more labour-intensity, whose market area covers the whole Finland, particularly companies focused on commerce and logistics that need high, simple, and effective facilities,” Helminen notes. The Best Place for Your Business Whether you come to Lahti by train or car, you will see the Asko Business Centre, formed in the old production facilities Asko and Upo. The red brick environment next to the railway station, the E75 motorway and main road 12, approximately one kilometre from the centre, is an excellent location for modern business operations. “The factors that make the area perfect include its excellent location, reasonable price level, and the welcoming environment. The needs of the customer are already considered during the planning stage, and the customised premises can be renovated within six months,” says Timo Väisänen, Head of Property Management at real estate investment trust Renor, the company that owns and renovates the properties. “This area is easily accessible: the train ride from Helsinki takes only 50 minutes, the drive from Helsinki one hour on the motorway, and the train from St. Petersburg 2.5 hours. The buses to Lahti from the Helsinki Airport stop next to the railway station. The area is being continuously developed, and one of the objectives is to have a covered pedestrian pass from the railway platforms directly to the Asko 2 building of the Asko Business Center by 2012.” The five old factory buildings have a total of 130,000 square metres of rental facilities, of which 35,000 square metres are currently vacant. The size of the facilities varies from offices of less than 10 square metres to storage units of up to 15,000 square metres. The area has unused building rights for an additional 250,000 square metres in accordance with the adopted plan. Approximately 190 busi- nesses operate in the area, including the Finnish main warehouse of the world’s largest tyre company, Bridgestone. The environment has drawn several design experts and artists, as well as accountancy companies, engineering companies, and IT experts. The high quality facilities are also perfect for companies in the welfare sector, and extensive health and welfare services with centralised reception and social premises are planned in the area. b More information: www.lakes.fi www. lahtiregion.net THE LAHTI REGION: Finland’s fifth largest urban region, 200,000 inhabitants Half of the population of Finland lives within 2 hours from Lahti. Photo: Renor Oy The logistically optimal location of Lahti is exemplified by the Kujala Logistics Centre, located in the optimal location for traffic in Finland right next to the E75 motorway, main road 12, and the Helsinki–St. Petersburg railway. As the operations of Finland’s main port, Vuosaari, increase to their full extent, a part of the goods are transported to an inland terminal for unloading. The distance between Vuosaari and Kujala is less than 100 kilometres by motorway. A railway connection can be constructed in the area according to the needs of the users. Kujala has facilities even for large companies: the total land area is 50 hectares with building rights for 140,000 square metres, and expansion projects are being prepared. The grounds have been preliminarily constructed, and the street network, municipal engineering, and