Merikortteli

A Cinema and Restaurants for the Block

A change of use was carried out on the ground floor of the historic KOY Merikortteli, transforming former industrial and storage spaces into a restaurant cinema and three additional restaurants, one of which includes its own bakery. The large, small-pane wooden windows facing Telakkakatu and Pursimiehenkatu bring new life to the street level and invite visitors in.

KOY Merikortteli is a red-brick industrial and warehouse building designed by architect Wäinö Palmqvist. Constructed in several phases between 1918 and 1937, its first section was completed as early as 1920. The building is of significant urban and cultural-historical value and is protected under the local detailed plan with an sr-2 designation. As a result, particular care is taken in the design and execution of any additions or alterations affecting the street façades and roof. Over the years, the building’s interiors—now poorly suited for industrial use—have gradually been converted from industrial premises into commercial, office, and retail spaces.

A New Entrance

The restaurant development was carried out in two phases. In the first phase, a two-storey bakery restaurant and pizzeria were built at the corner of Telakkakatu and Pursimiehenkatu, featuring an authentic wood-fired pizza oven imported from Italy.

In the second phase, a two-screen cinema was constructed along Telakkakatu, combining film screenings with restaurant service, alongside a neighbourhood bar with a small self-service laundry.

As the existing entrances were insufficient, courtyard-facing, and partly non-compliant with accessibility requirements, new street-level entrances were added on Telakkakatu for both the restaurant cinema and the bakery restaurant. The original wooden window proportions allowed the new doors to be carefully integrated into the protected façade.

The existing ventilation facilities proved inadequate for the new restaurant kitchens, so a new ventilation plant room was integrated into the mezzanine level and an existing facility was expanded.