Article from BTNews 26 NOVEMBER 2018
Helsinki plans 2-in-1 hotel
In a response to ever-increasing visitor numbers, two of Helsinki’s most historic buildings are being joined together next year to create what is being hailed as the city’s most exciting hotel development to date.
HYY Group, a business arm of the Student Union at the University of Helsinki, has bought the oldest running hotel in the city, the Seurahuone, which opened in 1833 and is next to a student accommodation block which itself opened as a hotel in 1910.
HYY plans to combine the buildings, both designed by Finnish architect Armas Lindgren, to create a180-220 room property. Students will still use some parts of the building, which HYY says will bring vibrancy to the hotel once it is in use.
The project is part of a programme to improve Helsinki’s central historic area, Kaivopiha, with the aim of driving visitor numbers and creating new jobs in line with HYY’s long-term strategy to make Helsinki more international.
The group has begun a search for a 5-star hotel operator to manage the new development, which backers say will profit from an unrivalled central Helsinki position with no other quality properties present and a “totally unique” end product.
www.scandichotels.com/hotels/finland/helsinki/seurahuone-helsinki
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