Leppävaara – a transport and business hub

The transport connections improved even further in October 2023, when the light rail line 15 started operating between Keilaniemi in Espoo and Itäkeskus in eastern Helsinki. The line connects Leppävaara, Otaniemi and Keilaniemi – Espoo’s most significant high-technology employment areas. The light rail line also connects the West Metro and the Leppävaara railway station, forming an integrated public transport system. 

The Espoo Rail Line, currently under construction, will add two new tracks between Leppävaara and Kauklahti. Two tracks will serve long-distance and fast commuter trains, while two will be reserved for frequent commuter trains. The section between Leppävaara and Espoon keskus will be completed by the end of 2028. The entire Espoo Rail Line is scheduled to be completed in 2029.

The general planning of a new light rail line between Matinkylä and Leppävaara will begin in the next few years. 

Leppävaara is also a centre of culture and entertainment, offering a range of related services and venues, including Sello Library, Sello Hall, the Gallen-Kallela Museum, a multiplex cinema, several restaurants, GLO Hotel Sello, and a bowling alley. The Sello shopping centre is one of the largest and most environmentally sustainable shopping centres in the Nordic countries.

The Leppävaara sports park is the largest of Espoo’s seven sports parks and offers a wide range of sports facilities, including an athletics stadium, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and an ice rink. An athletics-oriented multi-purpose hall called Kameleonten was opened in the Leppävaara sports park in the summer of 2023. Leppävaara also features the Kilo and Leppävaara Manor riding arenas, a golf driving range, the Vermo harness racing track, a disc golf course, and an Angry Birds Park.

According to a study conducted in 2019, Leppävaara is the most popular location for businesses in Espoo. There are approximately 30,000 jobs in Leppävaara, which accounts for one fourth of all jobs in Espoo. The most significant sector is information and technology, but there are also many jobs in retail and education.

Leppävaara is an active educational hub offering opportunities for learners of all ages. In addition to the extensive network of comprehensive schools and a sports-focused general upper secondary school, Leppävaara is also home to the Laurea and Metropolia universities of applied sciences, as well as an adult education centre. Finland's only watchmaking school is also located in Leppävaara.

• Nokia headquarters
• Yara Finland headquarters
• Ramboll headquarters
• Caruna headquarters
• Lujatalo headquarters
• Eltel Networks headquarters
• Siemens Finland
• Tech Data headquarters
• Trimble Finland headquarters
• Sitowise headquarters

The construction of the Leppävaara centre is the most important development project in the area.  At the moment, the old Turuntie road and the railway divide the centre of Leppävaara into two parts. With the project, the impact of this division will be reduced as the northern and southern sides of the railway will be better connected through a new terminal bridge and a high-quality transport terminal. Read more about the international idea competition

There are plans to expand the Sello shopping centre over the railway tracks. Approximately 10,000 m² of space will be added. The shopping centre will be connected to a terminal building constructed above the railway, providing access to the train platforms and the bus terminal. Construction will begin in 2026 at the earliest. Read more about the expansion of the Sello shopping centre.

OOPS (Oasis of Professionals) will bring more office and commercial space to Leppävaara. It is one of the largest property development projects in the capital region, bringing nearly 100,000 square meters of new office and retail space, leisure services, a hotel, and housing to the area.

OOPS is prominently located in Perkkaa at the intersection of Ring Road I, the main railway line, and the route of the light rail line 15. The wide range of services will serve approximately 10,000 residents in the Perkkaa area, and about 500,000 people live within a 15-minute drive of the area.

Read more about OOPS(external link, opens in a new window).

Housing for approximately 800 residents is being planned in Säterinkallionkulma, less than one kilometre from the Leppävaara railway station and the Sello shopping centre. The area will be developed into a pleasant, high-quality residential and business environment close to Leppävaara’s services. The cityscape will be dense and urban in character. The area will also benefit from close access to light rail line 15, with one of the stops located within the area. Construction is underway.

The final projects in Vermonniitty are currently under construction. Once the area is completed, it will be home to approximately 6,000 residents.

The area is easy to access. Light rail line 15, which started operating in October 2023, has further improved transport connections. There are light rail stops in Perkkaa and Vermonniitty.

New residential buildings and homes for approximately 1,200 residents are being built in Puustellinmäki, near Live Vocational College. The project, covering approximately 60,000 square metres of gross floor area, is scheduled to be carried out between 2019 and 2030.