Located at the end of Bulevardi, one of the most beautiful streets in Helsinki, the historic chemistry facilities at the Helsinki University of Technology are currently undergoing a transformation into rental apartments. The renovation of the Old and New Chemistry buildings will be completed in November, and nearly a thousand people are already interested in becoming new residents.

At the end of the Hietalahdentori square on Bulevardi, 77 apartments are being built in the premises of the former Helsinki University of Technology’s chemistry department. Most of the apartments are one-bedroom and studio apartments, as well as two-bedroom apartments, and some of the apartments have their own balcony. The property also has two five-room attic apartments with terraces. 

“City centre housing in Helsinki is within reach of more and more people, thanks to the growing range of rental apartments. It is great to see valuable historic buildings gain a new lease on life as the homes of people living in the city. Bulevardi 31 is a truly unique property, which is also evidenced by the fact that about a thousand interested residents have already signed up,” says Laura Koiranen, Area Director of Lumo homes. 

The red-brick Old Chemistry building was designed in 1899 by architect Onni Tarjanne, who is known, among other things, as the designer of the Finnish National Theatre. The New Chemistry building, in turn, was built after the devastation of the war in 1949 as designed by architect Johan Sigfrid Sirén, and represents a more modern style. Most recently, the buildings served as teaching and study spaces for Metropolia University of Applied Sciences.

The cultural-historical value and atmosphere of the buildings have been preserved as well as possible, such as through the doors, wall shapes and high windows. When choosing surface materials and furniture, special attention has been paid to quality and timelessness. All of the apartments have beautiful and durable oak parquet. The interiors of the Old and New Chemistry buildings create their own atmosphere for each building.

“The distinctive features of the New and Old Chemistry buildings, which differ in style and history, are cherished in the interior design. In the Old Chemistry building apartments, darker shades and atmospheric dark wood have been chosen. In the more modern New Chemistry building, on the other hand, classically light shades are used,” says Koiranen.

The shared facilities at Bulevardi 31 include a washing and drying room, a storage for outdoor equipment and bicycles and a storage cage, as well as a high-quality sauna facility and a communal space for spending evenings, for example. The property is completed with a sheltered, lush courtyard that invites you to enjoy yourself. The beautiful Sinebrychoff Park is right next door and so is, of course, the sea.