Finland's legendary Eden spa will reopen next year after a five-year closure, rekindling warm memories for a generation of Oulu residents while drawing a solitary shrug from one local man. The Holiday Club Resorts group has signed a 20-year lease for the property in the Nallikari district, with a grand reopening scheduled for April 2025, ending years of speculation about the fate of the iconic building that has stood empty since December 2021.
For couples like Maire and Matti Kilponen, the news is a welcome relief. They have missed having a local spa to visit, forcing them to travel to towns like Kuusamo during Eden's dormancy. "It's been a shame about Eden," Matti Kilponen stated, echoing a common sentiment heard across the city center. The spa, which first opened its doors in 1989, was once a pioneer as Finland's first subtropical spa complex and a major tourist engine for Northern Finland. Its closure left a noticeable void in the region's leisure landscape.
A Reservoir of Community Memories
A casual survey of Oulu residents reveals a deep, personal connection to the spa, woven into the fabric of their lives over decades. One woman fondly recalls learning to swim there as a child, noting that while she took lessons in a regular pool, it was the playful kicking in Eden's waters that truly cemented her skill. "It was an unbelievable place for a kid," she said. Another couple, now settled in Oulu, honeymooned at Eden during the recession of the 1990s. For them, arriving from the south, the so-called 'Riviera of the North' and Oulu itself offered an almost exotic experience. "I don't think we'd ever been this far north before," the husband laughed. These stories are typical, painting a picture of a venue that served as a site for family milestones, relaxation, and local pride.
The One Dissenting Voice
Amidst the wave of community nostalgia, one Oulu resident, Henri Roikola, offers a contrasting perspective. He is the only person interviewed who openly states that the spa's impending revival stirs no particular interest in him. When asked if he visited before its closure or plans to visit after it reopens, he did not express personal enthusiasm. However, Roikola did see the practical benefit, acknowledging it was positive that the long-vacant building would finally be put back to use. His indifferent stance highlights that even a beloved institution does not hold universal appeal, though his view appears to be an outlier among those who shared their thoughts.
The Path to Rebirth
The revival is spearheaded by Holiday Club Resorts, with CEO Maisa Romanoff confirming the extensive renovation project. While specific details of the remodel are still emerging, the commitment is significant. The 20-year lease indicates a long-term investment in revitalizing the property as a modern spa and hotel destination. The planned April 2025 opening will mark over five years since the facility last welcomed guests. For the city, the reactivation of a prominent waterfront property in Nallikari is more than just a business transaction, it represents the restoration of a cultural landmark and a potential boost to year-round tourism.
More Than Just a Business Deal
The reopening of Eden transcends a simple property development. For the city of Oulu, it signals the return of a piece of its social and recreational history. The spa's initial rise in the late 1980s coincided with a period of growth and modernity for Finland, and its subtropical theme was a novelty that captured the imagination. Its prolonged closure had become a lingering question mark on the Nallikari shoreline. Now, its scheduled return provides a tangible endpoint to that period of uncertainty. It offers a concrete future for a site that exists in the cherished memories of thousands, from those who learned to swim there to couples who celebrated their weddings.
The project also reflects a broader confidence in the Northern Finnish tourism sector. Holiday Club's substantial investment suggests a belief in the enduring appeal of the Oulu region and a demand for high-quality wellness and accommodation facilities. The reopening is poised to recapture a segment of the local market that has been traveling elsewhere for spa services, as noted by the Kilponens, while also aiming to attract new visitors to the coast.