Espoontori expansion and new public transport terminal speed up growth and development in Espoon keskus
Development in Espoon keskus will speed up thanks to a new plan proposal. The plan increases service offering in the area and enables the expansion of Espoontori as well as a new hypermarket. Infill development creates homes for 250 new residents. A new public transport terminal which will be built between the rail line and shopping centre as well as new park-and-ride facilities will improve the usability of public transport.
The urban structure around the Espoon keskus station area will be complemented and changed in the Espoontori block south of the rail line. Espoon keskus is one of the five urban centres in Espoo. Its current population is 19,000 and is estimated to reach 30,000 by 2050.
“Improving vitality in the area is important in order for Espoon keskus to grow and develop as part of Espoo’s network of regional centres,” says Mikko Kivinen, the Project Director of the Urban Environment Division at Espoo.
Hypermarket and brick-and-mortar businesses diversify service offering
The local residents have been requesting more comprehensive and diverse service offering for some time. The plan proposal enables the construction of a new hypermarket the size of 7,400 floor square metres. In addition, approximately 1,000 floor square metres have been reserved for premises on the street level.
They will be located around areas with heavy foot traffic, the most significant ones being Siltakatu, Siltatori and the new Lindholminkäytävä. The Lindholminkäytävä corridor will connect the public transport terminal to Siltakatu. Brick-and-mortar premises that will open on the street level, quality materials, light colours, arcades, plants and trees in the street as well as lighting create a high level, pleasant and safe environment.
A new residential tower block is planned for the eastern side of Espoontori along Siltakatu. The existing Espoontori will remain the local landmark and the new tower block will complement the cityscape. In addition to the tower block, new housing totalling 11,850 floor square metres, which translates to homes for 250 new residents, will be built on the western side of Espoontori.
Smoother public transport
Once the Espoo City Railway is complete, commuter train traffic will move entirely to the south which makes changing from train to bus easier. The existing overpass between Espoontori and Asemasilta will stay. The plan also prepares for the arrival of a new light rail line.
Espoon keskus is a significant regional traffic hub which needs park-and-ride facilities for cars and bicycles. Building such facilities will be incorporated as part of the parking solutions to be developed in Espoon keskus. In the future, public transport will be focused to the south of the rail line where the new public transport terminal will be located between the shopping centre and rail line. The waiting area for bus and train users is inside the terminal.
The owner of Espoontori changed in September 2023 when Kesko bought the majority of shares which grant ownership over the shopping centre. Previous plans are now being finalised with the new owner.
Espoo’s City Planning Committee will discuss the Espoontori town plan amendment proposal on 17.1.2024 after which the plan proposal becomes available for viewing. If the town plan amendment is accepted for viewing, a resident event where the plan will be discussed in more detail with the local residents will be organised. The town plan amendment was also available for viewing at the local resident event in Central Espoo on 15.11.2023.
Espoontori detailed plan website
City Planning Committee agenda 17 January 2024 / Case no. 3(external link, opens in a new window)