Nordicum - Real Estate Annual Finland 2015 | Page 30

Photos: HKP Architects

End of the Line – Only For Now
Matinkylä is the “anchor for all ages” for the western metro line
As the new western metro line is poised for launch at the end of 2016, we already
know there will be a sequel, an additional stretch of tracks going westwards.
For years to come, however, the end of the line will be Matinkylä which has
experienced a wave of intense development lately. According to Markus Saari,
Project Director for the City of Espoo, there’s still plenty of upgrades in store for
the neighbourhood.

“W

e have just finalised the Matinkylä-Olari development vision
in December and are looking
to develop the area from the viewpoint of
community, providing services for all citizens,” Saari says. In the future, this city centre located between the sea and Espoo Central Park will feature even more services,
recreational activities and well-being focus.
Arrival of the metro and the new bus
terminal will provide the approximately
50,000 residents of Matinkylä with great
public transport connections to Helsinki and
all parts of Espoo. Since Matinkylä is the
end of the line, it is a crucial feeder traffic
hub which is estimated to be used by over
30,000 passengers daily. In fact, based on
28 Nordicum

passenger forecasts, it will be the busiest
station of the new line.

Bite the Apple
The dominant feature in Matinkylä is the
shopping centre Iso Omena, the fifth biggest shopper’s paradise in the land. The
Matinkylä metro station will be located on
the empty lot at the southern end of the shopping centre.
The block where the station will be
located is owned by the City, and is witnessing a boom in complementary construction.
The plan for the block allows the placement
of commercial services, offices or even residential buildings. The arrival of metro is

expected to attract both new businesses and
residents here.
“In total, there is 70,000 floor
square metres of construction going on in
Matinkylä,” says Saari.

Public-Private Edge
At the very core of things, NCC Property
Development and Citycon are making a
genuine “metro centre,” conveniently linking the metro station, bus terminal and the
shopping centre. Markus Saari says that the
top level of the new metro centre will be
reserved for municipal services: the City
will have as much as 6,000 square metres
of public services here. Also, the environs
of the station will be developed into a services/wellbeing park which will feature a
lot of “grey power”.
“We are committed to providing solutions that will make the area enjoyable to
especially senior citizens,” Saari confirms.
Called Tynnyripuisto (Barrel Park),
the new park promises to combine leisure
and services in a novel way. “There are plans