Nordicum - Real Estate Annual Finland 2014 | Page 61

Photos: Studio Daniel Libeskind for NCC

The new downtown tower hotel – under construction just off the railway station
– is one example of the new “Vertical Tampere”, but it appears that the skyline of the
city will be completely transformed in the
years to come. As the train station will enter a total makeover, an ambitious deck construction will be built over the tracks – and
towers will be raised upon the deck. The vision plan for the project was made by the
American “starchitect” Daniel Libeskind,
bringing welcome cohesion into a city structure divided by tracks.
“In the process, a totally new city district will be created,” Laiho says. The development is a co-operation of NCC Development, Tampere Central Arena Ltd and the
City of Tampere.

Hybrid Power

Laiho notes that Tampere – as the biggest inland city in Nordic countries – has a
catchment area that is different from, say,
certain coastal capitals.
“Our catchment area forms a full circle, which works in our favour,” he says.

ing the change in downtown. With cars going underground, the urban environment is
transformed, leaving more room for pedestrians and bicyclists. And there’s more, too:
a light rail transportation system is also being planned for the city centre.

Downtown Dynamite

Five Star City

Tampere is already busy building the future via considerable investments in order
to respond to the city’s growth and construction needs. New residential areas must
be built for the newcomers, and it makes
sense to build new areas that are close to
existing public and commercial services
whenever po