Original architectural features of Heikintori to be restored in renovation, use of the building will also change
The detailed plan for the iconic Heikintori shopping centre in Tapiola has reached the proposal stage. As the building is renovated, its roof and exterior walls will need to be completely rebuilt. Some of the original architectural features inside the building will also be restored. The primary option for the building's future use is social welfare and health services. The apartment block to be built in place of the multi-storey car park, which will be demolished, has been adapted to fit in with its surroundings based on residents’ feedback.
The restoration of Heikintori and its revival in active use are part of fostering the cultural heritage of Tapiola. When it was completed in 1968, the building was the first shopping centre in Espoo. It became dilapidated over the years, and in 2018, the city started drawing up a plan for building an apartment block on top of Heikintori. The plan did not make headway after the participation and assessment scheme stage and the feedback received on it.
In 2024 Citycon Finland Oy, which owns the property, put forward a new plan for renovating rather than expanding the building and replacing the multi-storey car park with a new apartment block. The participation and assessment scheme for this plan was available for public review in 2025. The plan has now reached the proposal stage, and the City Planning Committee will discuss the detailed plan proposal at its meeting on 11 March 2026.
A new use for the building, central passageway to remain open for the public
The plan proposal preserves the basic space solutions of the building, including a central passageway. The building will remain open to members of the public, who can use the central passageway as a shortcut.
The interior of the building has been modified in the years since its completion.
"The plan proposal seeks to preserve some of the original architectural features of the building. This is why the plans include restoring the original interior and dismantling some of the later additions, including structures built in front of entrances on the first floor," says Aino Kuusimäki, architect and main preparer of the plan.
During the planning process, several optional uses for Heikintori were considered. Possible options included health and wellbeing services, an office hotel and a combination of different facilities, services and business premises. As the primary option for future use, the plan proposes social welfare and health care services, which would take over the whole building.
Resident feedback influenced the planning of the new apartment block and its surroundings
Residents gave plenty of feedback during the preparation stage of the plan. Ideas for Heikintori they put forward included an indoor market, library, casino and service centre for older people. Residents felt that the apartment block replacing the multi-storey car park destined for demolition was too dominating in proportion to its surroundings. In the current proposal, the apartment block is a point-block, a building with a single entrance that leaves more space along Tapionraitti rather than occupying the entire plot in the north-south direction.
The apartment block of the amended proposal is a better fit with its surroundings. It is the same height as the neighbouring Raitinlukko building. Raitinlukko is an office building that can be converted into an apartment block after the relevant amendment to detailed plan became valid in 2025.
“This will provide more space for Tapionraitti, which runs between the houses, leaving space for a new line of trees along the road. As requested by residents, the plan proposal now contains more urban green spaces also in other respects," says Kuusimäki.
In this plan, a small area belonging to Heikintori property between Sampotori and Kaupinkallio will become part of the city’s street area. A recess in this area today has a fixed bike stand.
Heikintori is part of development in Tapiola centre
The plans for Heikintori are the next step in the development of the whole consisting of central Tapiola and Kulttuuriaukio that will gradually turn the area into a vibrant and welcoming pedestrian district. The privately owned Länsituulenaukio to the south of Heikintori is currently used for parking. The aim is that it could be transformed into a city square as part of developing central Tapiola in the future. Most parking in Tapiola district centre has already been relocated to an underground central parking facility. A number of other projects are also under way in the area, such as the theatre project of Espoo Cultural Centre.
The City Planning Committee will discuss the detailed plan proposal for Heikintori at its meeting on 11 March 2026 and decide when the proposal will be made available for public review. Once this happens, objections to it can be submitted. The City Planning Department will inform the residents of putting the plan up for public review by means of a plan announcement, on the plan website and by a letter sent to close neighbours.
The traditional residents' event for Tapiola district will be held on 16 April 2026 in the spring. In addition to Heikintori, other topical plans for the area will be presented at the event.
Visit the plan website and read more about the local detailed plan for Heikintori shopping centre.
City Planning Committee agenda 11 March 2026 /Case no. 8(external link, opens in a new window)