Vartiokylä

Vartiokylä is a diverse district of more than 34,000 residents, stretching from the seaside residential areas of Marjaniemi and Vartioharju through the urban Itäkeskus to the lush Myllypuro and the Roihupelto workplace area.

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Vartiokylä as an area

The Vartiokylä district consists of Itäkeskus, Marjaniemi, Puotinharju, Vartioharju, Puotila, Myllypuro and Roihupelto.

In the future, the Itäkeskus area – the centre of East Helsinki – will combine all that is essential in an urban city: people from different backgrounds, a marketplace, culture, work, relaxation – day and night coming together. 

In the coming years, more commercial and other business premises as well as apartments will be built in Itäkeskus. The new Itäkeskus will continue to grow, and its position as a transport and services hub in East Helsinki will be further strengthened. At the same time, the external appearance of the area will be improved, outdoor public spaces will be developed and the number of residents will increase, especially in the centre blocks.

The area will develop and liven up in the coming years thanks to the Jokeri Light Rail, among other things. A tram terminus is being planned at the site of the existing metro station and bus terminal. The new Jokerikortteli will have commercial and residential space built on top of the existing metro station in addition to the metro, the Jokeri Light Rail and the feeder traffic terminal. Before Jokerikortteli is completed, the terminus of the Jokeri Light Rail will be at the intersection of Raaseporintie and Marjaniementie.

A major renewal project awaits the Puhos shopping centre. The newer parts of the shopping centre will be demolished and the oldest part of the mall, built in the 1960s, will be preserved and restored to its original splendour. The aim is to replace the demolished parts of the buildings with apartments and new commercial premises for the needs of diverse businesses. A new, pleasant shopping street is planned between the buildings and a park is planned next to the future extension of the Stoa cultural centre.

In addition to the modern centre and the campus area, Myllypuro has cosy residential areas, including the wooden urban village of Puu-Myllypuro. A significant new residential area, Karhukallio, is also being planned in Myllypuro.



Read more about the Myllypuro residential area. 

 

New housing and commercial space is planned for around Puotila metro station. The planning principles are being prepared for the eastern part of Itäväylä, in which the transformation of Itäväylä into a resident-friendly urban boulevard serving all modes of transport is being considered.

New seaside residential areas are being built on the shores of Vartiokylänlahti. New, high-quality housing, services, maritime tourism and recreational areas are planned for the Puotila marina area in Puotilanranta and, at a later stage, around the Rastila Manor.

 

Roihupelto is a bustling workplace area, with both small industries and commercial premises. Along with the Jokeri Light Rail, more efficient workplace construction is planned for the area and, for example, the side of Viilarintie will be densified.

Thanks to its central location and excellent transport links, Roihupelto offers great opportunities for various business activities. In the future, the changes to the detailed plan will enable the construction of activities, such as indoor sports facilities, lunch restaurants, offices and workspaces, that differ from the current detailed plan, which consists of industrial and warehouse buildings.

A new campus for the Helsinki Vocational College and Adult Institute is planned for the plot at Holkkitie 5. The educational institution for 4,500 students will replace the current six locations, which are no longer sufficient for the growing number of students and do not meet the needs of modern education. The campus is expected to be ready by the end of 2025.

Photo: Lauri Rotko

Plans

Local detailed plans determine the land use of an area, e.g. where apartments, offices, parks, streets and other roads will be built.

Vartiokylä plans on the map - Open larger map(Link leads to external service)
Photo: Lauri Rotko

Traffic connections

The Vartiokylä area has excellent public traffic connections by metro. However, connections will continue to improve as Itäkeskus will become an important transport hub and intersection for the eastern part of the city in the near future once the Jokeri Light Rail is completed.

Puotilan kartano.
Photo: Lauri Rotko

Services

Itis, one of the largest shopping centres in Finland; it has shops, services, restaurants, cafes and a cinema. From the Itis side, it is possible to walk along Hansasilta’s covered pedestrian and shopping bridge to the Easton shopping centre on the other side of Itäväylä. The oldest part of the Puhos shopping centre will be renovated and surrounded by new residential and commercial space.

In the immediate vicinity of Itäkeskus, there is also the Stoa cultural centre, the Iiris service and activity centre for the visually impaired, a family centre, a library, a swimming hall and a tennis centre.

Vartiokylä services on the servicemap - Open larger map(Link leads to external service)
Photo: Lauri Rotko

Contact information

Name
Ritva Tanner

Title
Project Director
Description
Vartiokylä urban development

Name
Assi Rautanen

Title
Project Engineer
Description
Vartiokylä urban development

Name
Lotta Suominen

Title
Project Director
Description
Karhukallio and Roihupelto area

Name
Linda Toivonen

Title
Project Engineer
Description
Karhukallio and Roihupelto area