The Kellovasara office building in Tapiola to be replaced with a residential building
The Kellovasara office building in Tapiola will be replaced with apartments. The four-storey office building owned by Suomen Kelloseppäliitto ry (the watchmaker association of Finland) on Pohjantie will be demolished and a five-storey residential building will be built in its place.
Kellovasara was built in 1987 next to the Finnish School of Watchmaking that was established in Tapiola in 1959. The school building and dormitory were demolished after the school moved to Leppävaara in 2007, where it operates to this day. The school was replaced by two residential buildings.
Substantial developments are under way in the surroundings of the Kellovasara building. Three residential buildings were built on the Kaupinkallio barrow ten years ago. Three star-shaped residential buildings were built across the street on Pohjantie a few years ago. More star-shaped buildings are planned next to the WeeGee house.
The Kulttuurimajakka (cultural beacon) residential building was completed next to the WeeGee house last year. The watch and jewellery museum Suomen kello- ja korumuseo Kruunu and Leikki – the museum of play, formerly known as Toy Museum Hevosenkenkä, will be moving into the exhibition spaces on the ground floor of the building. The watch museum used to be located in Kellovasara. From there, it was moved to WeeGee house and it is now going to be moved to Kulttuurimajakka in a revamped, more versatile form.
Excellent location near versatile services and public transportation
The new residential building will have a prominent location along Pohjantie. The architecture will be integrated to the built cultural environment of Tapiola Garden City. In addition to housing, the ground level will also feature spaces for services and commercial premises.
Parking will be located in the basement. The garden will be lush and the aim is to keep as many trees as possible.
The new residential building will be located very close to the services in the residential and commercial block in the centre of Tapiola, Tapiolan keskus, as well as the metro station and bus terminal. The building will be right next door to the large park in Silkkiniitty. The Tapiola health station and versatile exhibition centre WeeGee will be located just across the road.
The City Board will be discussing the Kellovasara amendment to the local detailed plan on Monday 11 April.