HBL: Finland-Swedish foundations eye purchase of Old Student House in Helsinki

By admin On Sep 22, 2025

Old Student House. Photo: Ranerana / Wikipedia Commons

Several Finland-Swedish foundations are considering the purchase of the Old Student House in central Helsinki, according to Hufvudstadsbladet.

The building belongs to the Student Union of the University of Helsinki (HYY), which has faced serious financial problems. The union’s business operations are managed by its subsidiary, Ylva. In recent months, Ylva sold its Lyyra city block in Hakaniemi to a Swedish property investment company.

The Old Student House, known locally as Vanha ylioppilastalo, is located near the Helsinki Railway Station. Built in 1870, it has served as a key venue for university events and student activities. Concerns have grown among cultural and educational circles that the building could fall into foreign ownership and be repurposed away from student and cultural uses.

According to HBL, Finland-Swedish foundations including Tre Smeder, Svenska kulturfonden, and Svenska litteratursällskapet are involved in ongoing discussions. These groups reportedly want to ensure that the building’s current use continues, especially for student-related activities. The foundations are opposed to the building being converted by what they described as a “foreign property fund”.

Unofficial information shared with HBL indicates the possibility of establishing a new foundation that would pool re that Helsingestiftelsen had been part of preliminary talks about acquiring the Old Student House.

Asplund noted, however, that justifying such an investment would be difficult, as the foundation’s core operations are focused in the city of Vantaa, not Helsinki.

Petra Pulli, chair of HYY, declined to comment on any potential property sales. No formal statements have been made by the City of Helsinki or state representatives concerning their involvement in a possible joint ownership structure.

Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi