Waiting for Metro
The western metro project has been delayed from its August 2016 launch, but the metro line should be up and running sometime in 2017, as Finland celebrates its centennial. As the metro kicks off this year, more than 20,000 passengers will be using the Tapiola station every day. Looking at those types of volumes, it is easy enough to picture that a completely new chapter in the development of the neighbourhood is about to begin. With modern mass transportation terminals, wellorganised parking and maintenance arrangements, Tapiola seeks to do more than just recapture its former glory.
The blocks to the south of the original Centre will be renewed according to the same urban sociological principles that created the Garden City. As a consequence, the Tapiola Centre will be totally transformed. For example, the level previously in use for private car traffic( Merituulentie,) will feature retail spaces and a pedestrian area; there will be plenty of parking space for bikes in the vicinity of the metro station; and new plazas and pedestrian streets will appear in Tapiola Centre, and the roof area will be green and well-groomed.
Ainoa Grows Up
And then there is the shopping centre Ainoa( owned by Tapiola KR III Real Estate Fund) which is ushering in a new era for local shopping. Having opened its doors in October 2013, the newcomer is still relatively small but gaining ground:
“ The big date ahead is 16 March, 2017, as we open the expansion of Ainoa,” says Kim Särs. With Phase II completed, Ainoa will feature 30,000 square metres and 50 stores – and demand for retail space is exceptionally high right now. At the time of the interview in early December, the occupancy rate was 99 %.
“ Rest assured, we will be fully booked by the time the doors open.”
The second phase of the development will see the shopping centre expanding over Merituulentie. The expansion will include, for example, premises for the department store Stockmann, another legend in its own right.
Phase III Kicks Off
After the second phase is completed, the third phase will start by demolishing the building where Stockmann was previously situated and constructing new premises. The demolished building will be replaced with premises of approximately 20,000 square metres, and after that Ainoa will cover over 50,000 square metres and include 100 shops.
“ Third phase of Ainoa will be completed by 2019,” Särs says, adding that Ainoa is not in the market to compete with size, but, instead, with quality.
“ We’ ve seen the trend where‘ big is beautiful,’ but for today’ s consumers, it’ s more about the content and service.” At Ainoa, there is attention to detail that you’ d be hard pressed to find elsewhere; for instance, the already completed parking facilities( accommodating 2,000 cars) were specifically designed to be a part of the shopping experience, instead of a“ mandatory” logistical arrangement.
“ The parking cave is very special with its signature blue colour, and also glass and wood have been used to give the cave a genuine look.”
Residential Renaissance
Ainoa is also strengthening the residential element in Tapiola since a completely new type of residential area is now being built on top of the shopping centre. Featuring five apartment buildings, the area is intended for the public, offering an attractive living environment in the heart of the Garden City. The area – going by the name Kirjokansi – will feature about 330 apartments.
“ For Tapiola, this is literally the next level. The views from all the apartments to the neighbouring park and beyond will be tremendous. In all this, the Garden City is truly being reborn,” Särs says. l
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