The new conservatory is Hemsö’s first establishment in Joensuu and will be built on the University of Eastern Finland campus. The conservatory is part of the City of Joensuu’s operations, which include practical music training. The total lettable area will be approximately 3,700 sqm.

“We are very pleased with the positive and smooth cooperation we have experienced with various parties. The new conservatory is an important development project for us, in a lively university city that also offers opportunities for other investments in Joensuu. Hemsö is planning to continue developing music and concert facilities in partnership with public-sector tenants and we recently completed the refurbishment of the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki,” says Simo Karjalainen, Project Developer, Hemsö.

The conservatory will accommodate a 250-seat music room and a rehearsal room for 100 musicians. In addition to these rooms, teaching rooms will also be created in the building.

“I have been involved in planning how the spatial needs in the conservatory can be solved in various roles for over ten years. There have been many ideas along the way, and a number of concrete alternatives have also been analysed. I am really happy that this cultural project is now moving forward in partnership with Hemsö. Our strength is our university campus, which is closely connected with the city centre, and this will be strengthened by the solution together with Hemsö,” says Janna Puumalainen, Head of Development, City of Joensuu.

The contract will be procured as a turnkey contract. Construction start-up is scheduled for the second quarter 2020, and completion for the third quarter 2021. The building will be constructed to meet high technical standards and hold BREEAM certification with a Very Good rating.