Professionals’ say

SRV came on board the REDI project through a site allocation competition organised by the City of Helsinki in 2010. SRV’s proposal combined a shopping centre, housing, offices and hotel construction, public services and a wide variety of traffic arrangements in the same complex, like at Kamppi Centre.

The most challenging aspects of the design of REDI were its scope and diversity – SRV worked at the same time on both a shopping centre concept and forward-looking housing solutions in Finland’s tallest residential towers. Construction goes about 40 metres below sea level and soars to a height of almost 140 metres. Meanwhile, the metro runs through the site 500 times a day. A shopping and experience centre, carpark, towers. Ideas had to be developed for all of these. Permits needed to be secured, investors and tenants had to be found. And, of course, the project has to be built, too. What kinds of experts have been required to do all of this?

“This project is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle — identifying and fitting together the needs of different actors. In the SRV project development team, we know the construction industry and zoning like the backs of our hands. A crucial insight can come to you anywhere: at your desk, when you’re walking down an office corridor, while you’re talking on the phone or at a meeting, or when you’re driving. The bold visionaries on our team also have the ability to take ideas forward with all of SRV’s employees and partners. REDI is a great example of a project requiring tough work that everyone at SRV has committed to, from builders to lawyers.”
Timo Nieminen, Executive Vice President, Project Development

“REDI is the largest construction site in a Finnish city centre. About 1,000 people work there every day. In-situ casting of 100,000 cubic metres of concrete and element installation are not run-of-the-mill tasks when 500 metro trains pass through the site every day.

Even site start-up was a staggering effort, as the earthworks contract included the challenging repositioning of a metro bridge, the excavation of a volume of rock equivalent to nine Parliament houses, driving tunnels and waterproof support walls for the pit. In early 2018, we will continue to do finishing work on the shopping centre. At the same time, the first residential tower, Majakka, will rise storey by storey. No one in Finland has built anything this high before.”
Site Manager Jukka Nikkola’s REDI shopping centre site wins the Construction Site of the Year 2017 award.

“Upon completion, Majakka will be the tallest residential tower in Finland, but it will also be much more than that. REDI introduces a new culture of living in Finland. It combines the home, services and transport under one roof. With the largest downtown shopping centre a lift ride away and the metro stopping almost at the front door, we are talking about a unique concept. Concierge services will be available at the entrance lobby of the residential towers — this is brand new in Finland.

I’ve sold homes for a long time, but REDI is totally different. We can meet our customers at the Living Lab, a REDI project showroom that features two test apartments. You can also put on a VR headset at the Living Lab to see the spatial solutions of the apartments. REDI appeals to customers — I’ve already met thousands who are interested in buying.”
Merja Rainio, Sales Manager, REDI housing sales.

The design of a shopping centre is a very multifaceted process. Retail is in transition and the consumer behaviour of customers is taking on new forms. We wanted to find an urban shopping centre concept for REDI, one that is a good fit for the people of the city and provides not only traditional shopping, but also entertainment and experiences. We have challenged traditional ideas, learned from international examples, and sought to keep up with the latest trends. We have to remember that the shopping center will live and develop after its opening. We have to keep listening the customers carefully.”
Pia Svensk, Commercial Director.

REDI has also been a very interesting project in terms of real estate law, as the buildings and structures do not follow property boundaries. The buildings are located both above and below ground. REDI is built on four blocks with twelve plots as well as street, park and metro line areas. The REDI ownership structure includes many companies, which means it has been challenging to establish security interests in the properties for different real estate companies, housing corporations, plot investors and financiers.”
Anja Siltainsuu, Real Estate Attorney.

The story was originally published in 2017 Annual Report.