Construction has begun on a large office complex near Aalto University's campus in Espoo's Otaniemi district. The development will house Relex Solutions' headquarters, an S-Market grocery store, and a lunch restaurant.
The 18,500 square meter project at Metallimiehenkuja 6–8 stands out in Finland's current quiet economic climate. Construction firm NCC is leading the development, which repurposes an existing building on the site.
What makes this project unusual in today's slow economy? The building will retain approximately 4,700 square meters of the original structure while replacing the central section with new construction. The remaining wings from the 1970s will undergo complete renovation.
Relex Solutions, a retail technology company, will occupy 12,000 square meters of office space. The company noted that the slower economic conditions have made more high-quality professionals available for the project.
Rock will be excavated beneath the building to create space for the S-Market supermarket and a brunch restaurant. The former building housed Olarin Panimo brewery among other tenants over the years.
Construction experts describe the project as technically demanding. Workers will demolish the central extension portion while preserving and renovating the original wing structures from the 1970s.
The project represents a rare major construction initiative during Finland's current economic slowdown, showing confidence in the Otaniemi area's continued growth potential near one of the country's top universities.