Mikonkatu 7 Office Building

Originally designed by Selim A. Lindqvist, the building has seen significant transformations. In 1927, architect Runar Finnilä added two storeys and redesigned the facades with classical elements. In 1940, architect Gösta Juslén remodeled the ground floor for the Renlund hardware store, introducing glass and advertising frontages and removing the corner tower. After air raid damage in 1944, architect Erkki Huttunen added another storey.

Between 1981 and 1987, Toivo Korhonen’s renovation incorporated elements from earlier construction phases, restoring features such as the angular shop windows and a reimagined corner tower. The design blended original themes with modern interpretations, resulting in a protected status in the detailed plan. The corner entrance and tower were inspired by Lindqvist’s architecture, with the tower’s curved forms reinterpreted using contemporary design techniques.

The building now includes a restructured main entrance, improved vertical circulation with a lift, and a spacious atrium on the first and second floors, featuring a restaurant, meeting rooms, and event spaces. The atrium’s design evokes a covered outdoor space, with amphitheater-like seating enhancing its functionality. The ground floor remains commercial, while the office floors feature modular, reusable partition systems for adaptability.

On the top floor, floor-to-ceiling windows provide views of neighboring facades, and a landscaped roof terrace is available for tenants. The circular skylight in the atrium adds to the building’s appeal, combining historical references with contemporary practicality.

Source: Summary of Kristo Vesikansa’s review in Finnish Architectural Review 5/2022