Why such old buildings has been demolished in a city center of Helsinki?

12 comments

1. Big spider

2. Stunning is not a word I’d use for this eye-sore

3. They seem to have been empty for a while https://www.hs.fi/kaupunki/art-2000010123962.html 

   I do like old buildings but when they aren’t being used for anything it’s hard to find arguments for them. There’s a lot of rules and regulations for protecting buildings. Sometimes they work but sometimes they cause the buildings to fall into disrepair due to restrictions. It’s a double edged sword

4. In case you want to see the worst case scenario read about demolishing old buildings in Turku in the 60-70’s. It got nicknamed as Turun tauti (”Turku disease”). Wiki page in Finnish but I guess Google Translate works

   https://fi.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turun_tauti

5. Capitalisim?

6. They wanted to build a bigger building and make money selling them. Apparently money is the most valuable thing there is, and those companies had use for that money I guess, but not for the old buildings.

7. There are safeguards – primarily planning permission. BUT, buildings like this do get demolished because of reasons such as rot and mold, water damage, structural integrity etc. If the building itself might not be salvageable nor even suitable for any future use etc.

8. Because they are ugly as sin?

9. If you like this kind of houses, you should visit the towns along the west coast.

   Helsinki and other cities would become quite large if all the buildings were like this. Having only one or two floors, they just cannot accomodate the crowds, offices, shops and such willing to be packed in the centre.

10. I know a few similar houses that need to be demolished but restrictions are saying no. Places are full of mold, one had some youth group things back in the day but they had to move elsewhere because it started to be a health hazard.

    There was meant to be a new place for youth inside a new school, surprise surprise, they didn’t get one. Wonder why that town is full of old people only.

11. There are probably tens of thousands of similar or better condition ones across the country.

    If one is taking prime land, is unused and has no special historical value, in the center of capital city, it is fine to demolish to build something more usable in my books. Buildings are made to be used and lived in.

12. They were not demolished but [transferred elsewhere](https://www.hs.fi/kaupunki/helsinki/art-2000010287844.html).