Stockmann Helsinki Centre is aculturally significant business building anddepartment store located in the centre ofHelsinki,Finland. It is one of many department stores owned by theStockmann corporation. It is the largest department store in theNordic countries in terms of area and total sales. The store is known for carrying all the internationally recognisedluxury brands, and Stockmann's enjoys a reputation as the primary high-end department store in Finland. In 2017, Stockmann Helsinki Centre was the fifth largest department store in Europe with area of 50,500 square meters.[1][2]
The Stockmann department store inHelsinki was founded in 1862 byHeinrich Georg Franz Stockmann.[3]
The first department store was located next to theMarket Square at Pohjoisesplanadi 5. This first department store was a general goods shop.[3]
In 1930, when the department store was opened, it was a modern and impressive commercial palace that symbolized European urban life.[3][4]
Especially theclock at the main entrance, colloquially"Stockan kello" ("Stocka's clock"), has become asymbol of Helsinkian city culture as a popular meeting place.
The Stockmann logo represents a set ofescalators, which are commonly, but wrongly believed represent the first escalators in Finland. The first escalators in Finland were installed at the Forum department store inTurku in 1926.[3]
.jpg)
In 1989, the Argos House, located in the same block, was incorporated into the Stockmann building. During the renovation, only the façade of the Argos House was preserved. As a result, Stockmann expanded to fill the entire block bordered byMannerheimintie,Aleksanterinkatu,Keskuskatu, andPohjoisesplanadi streets. The department store has seven floors, excluding the basement and the eighth floor, which houses other businesses.
A further expansion of the department store began in 2007. The project, titledKaikkien aikojen Stockmann – Alla tiders Stockmann (“Stockmann of All Time”), was completed in 2010, increasing the retail area by 10,000 square metres (110,000 sq ft) to a total of 50,000 square metres (540,000 sq ft). This was a particularly challenging undertaking, as it took place in the heart of Helsinki while the department store remained fully operational throughout the construction.[5]
The department store was expanded both underground and in its central area. Theatrium was enclosed, adding 1,500 square metres (16,000 sq ft) of retail space across the sixth to eighth floors. On the eighth and topmost floor, afood court was added, offering seating for 950 customers and views overlooking the lower floors.
In total, 200,000 cubic metres (7,100,000 cu ft) of rock were excavated from underground. At its deepest point, the digging reached a depth of 30 metres (98 ft).
.jpg)
The new garage tripled the parking capacity to 600 vehicles. The three-story facility is connected to Ruoholahdenkatu via the central maintenance tunnel, and to the junction of Kalevankatu and Mannerheimintie.
The size of the grocery department was doubled to approximately 5,000 square metres.[5]
The total capital expenditure for the enlargement phase of the project was €198 million, in addition to significant repair and renovation work on the existing premises. The expansion was projected to increase annual sales by €50 million.[6]
Media related toStockmann (Helsinki) at Wikimedia Commons
60°10′06″N024°56′32″E / 60.16833°N 24.94222°E /60.16833; 24.94222
Helsinki Cityscape | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buildings |  | ||||
| Places of worship |
| ||||
| Monuments and memorials | |||||
| Parks and gardens | |||||
| Islands | |||||
| City squares | |||||
| Streets | |||||
| Tourist attractions | |||||
| Hotels | |||||
| Museums |
| ||||
| Performing arts |
| ||||
| Other venues |
| ||||