Four high-rises proposed for Keilaniemi in Espoo

Residential towers to be built above Metro station

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The SRV Group is proposing to build four high-rise buildings in the Keilaniemi area of Espoo, just west of Helsinki. The 27-28-storey buildings would go up behind the office towers of the lift and escalator manufacturer Kone and the oil company Fortum, and on top of the planned Keilaniemi Metro station.
      SRV has left an application for planning permission to the Espoo authorities. The Espoo City Board will discuss the matter at its meeting on December 18th.
     
The proposed residential area would have a total of 370 high-priced apartments and condominiums.
      "The SRV Group wants to increase the availability of housing in the Tapiola area, while at the same time making it possible for the centre of Tapiola to remain a vibrant and desirable area for commerce and housing", says deputy CEO Timo Nieminen.
     
The plan is supported warmly by Olavi Louko, Director of Technical and Environment Services of the City of Espoo. "I feel that the planned buildings are just in the right place: on top of the Metro station." In Louko's view, there would be much packed into a small area very efficiently. There would also be scenic views and good transport connections.
      He also feels that high-rises are suitable for the area, which already has two relatively tall buildings - the towers of Kone and Fortum.
      Louko admits that the dwellings would be expensive. "However, high-quality homes with a sea view are what is lacking in Espoo. It would seem that there is much demand for apartments with impressive sea views, and there would be such a view from all of the flats there."
      The drafts for the area were made by the SARC Architects. It calls the areas the Tapiola Towers, even though the buildings would be in Keilaniemi, and not actually in neighbouring Tapiola.
     
If the go-ahead is given, construction could begin in 2010, and the project would be completed in 2012, at the same time that the Metro station is supposed to be ready.


Links:
  SARC Architects Ltd.
  SRV plans apartment towers above Karhusaarentie-road in Tapiola (press release 13.12.2007)

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