Turku’s traditional Market Hall will move to temporary premises during the renovation work starting next year. It is proposed that the Market Hall’s operations be moved for approximately three years to the street level of the Wiklund block and Brahenpiha.
Turku’s traditional Market Hall will move to temporary premises during the renovation work starting next year. It is proposed that the Market Hall’s operations be moved for approximately three years to the street level of the Wiklund block and Brahenpiha.
The City of Turku is preparing to begin the renovation of the Market Hall by strengthening its foundations in early 2027. The renovation is unavoidable, as the building is sinking unevenly, which may cause serious fractures and cracks in the structures.
"Temporary premises are needed during the renovation so that the Market Hall’s operations can continue, while taking its special characteristics and logistical needs into account as well as possible. Of the alternatives, the best solution has been found to be one in which the business premises for the Market Hall operations are located entirely indoors in the Wiklund block, while a modular building containing support and storage facilities is placed in Brahenpiha," says Pauliina Karjalainen, Director of Facility Services at the City of Turku.
On Monday 8 June, the City Board discussed a proposal according to which the necessary premises will be rented from Turun Osuuskauppa (TOK), and the procurement of the modular building for the support facilities will be put out to tender by the City. From the City Board, the matter will proceed to the City Council, which is scheduled to decide on the solution on 15 June 2026.
The total area to be rented for the temporary premises in Wiklund’s indoor and outdoor areas would be approximately 2,550 square metres. Of this, around 550 square metres consists of the land area in Brahenpiha needed for the modular building. TOK will rent the premises to the City of Turku and carry out the necessary work on the indoor premises.
The rental cost of the premises for three years is 4,763,880 euros, and the one-off investment for the modular building is estimated at 1.9–2.3 million euros. The total cost estimate for the project is 7.2–7.6 million euros.
A Central and Easily Accessible Location
The location of the Market Hall’s temporary premises next to the Market Square is central and easy to reach. Visitors will be directed to the premises through a clearly visible entrance from Kauppiaskatu.
The temporary premises have been planned by listening to the needs of the Market Hall’s current operators. A total of 19 entrepreneurs have already committed to moving to the premises.
"We have worked with the City for a long time to find a suitable premises solution, and we are now looking forward to the opening of the new and wonderful Market Hall," says Jaakko Manelius, Vice Chair of the Market Hall Entrepreneurs’ Association.
The shared aim of the City, TOK, and the entrepreneurs is to keep the Market Hall tradition alive in the temporary premises. Niklas Österlund, CEO of TOK, believes that Market Hall operations will bring new energy to the area around the Market Square.
"We at Turun Osuuskauppa are pleased to be able to help ensure the smooth continuation of the Market Hall’s operations and to offer temporary premises right in the heart of Turku city centre, close to the Market Hall’s familiar location. This will keep services for customers and everyday life for entrepreneurs as smooth as possible, while helping the city centre remain lively," says Niklas Österlund.
Once the strengthening of the foundations and the restorative renovation of the Market Hall have been completed, the entrepreneurs will be able to return to the familiar but improved Market Hall, which has served in the same location for 130 years.
The temporary premises of the Market Hall on the City Board agenda
Previous news article from 17 September 2025: The City of Turku seeks a solution for temporary premises for the traditional Market Hall (in Finnish)