Close to EUR 370 million is now being invested in creating a modern, world-class event arena in Turku, Finland. The major investment also includes shops, restaurants, offices, housing and hotels. The total investment in the area, including apartments, is 700 million euro. Through an agreement with the property owner Turun Ratapihan Kehitys Oy, Strawberry will be responisble for the hotel operations in the arena.

“We have had our eyes on Turku for a long time and are therefore extremely happy that an opportunity has arisen. It’s a great opportunity to open a hotel in one of Finland's most exciting urban development areas and to contribute with our know-how and experience in urban development and the creation of attractive areas. This will be a very good addition to the hotel market in Turku and to our Nordic hotel portfolio,” says the owner of Strawberry Petter Stordalen.

The new hotel will have direct access to the arena, 249 hotel rooms and will add a significant addition to the conference market with 1,000 sqm meeting facilities, with the purpose to contribute in the work to attract large congresses and events to the area of Turku. The hotel will also present a first-class restaurant experience with a strong focus on good quality food and a creative and inviting menu. At the 12th floor, at the top of the builiding, locals as well as Turku visitors will be able to enjoy drinks in the hotel's skybar with a connecting terrace.

“It feels incredibly good that historic and trendy Turku will be the next big and important step in Strawberry's expansion in Finland. We complement and add something new to the hotel market in the city with this fantastic meeting and event hotel and at the same time give an indication that the journey Strawberry has started in Finland has only just begun,” says Erika Ehrnrooth, COO Strawberry Finland.

Construction is expected to start in 2025. From 2028 onwards, the area will gradually open up for business. The hotel and arena are scheduled to open late 2028.

“We are very pleased with the lease agreement signed with Strawberry and especially with their innovative thinking on the concept of the Ratapiha hotel, thanks also to Finesco Capital Oy and Nordic Hotel Consulting Oy assisting us in negotiating with Strawberry and finalizing the lease. The hotel will deliver an international service concept for Ratapiha, enabling the expansion of the city centre and the development of the area. Of course, the hotel will also serve Logomo and other operators in the area and will add diversity to the city’s hotel offering,” says Ilkka Kilpimaa, Chairman of the Board of Turku Ratapihan Kehitys Oy.

The lease between the property owner Turku Ratapihan Kehitys Oy and Strawberry is signed for 20 years.