The aim is to develop the Market Hall block into a lively and diverse entity that serves residents and businesses. The zoning amendment for the block will enable infill development and allow the Market Hall’s activities to extend beyond the Market Hall building itself.
At its meeting on 18 June 2026, the City Board approved the draft detailed plan for the Market Hall block. The plan amendment will proceed to the City Council for decision in early 2027.
“New public spaces and routes will open up the Market Hall block and make it an active part of the city centre. The commercial and office premises and housing to be built in the block will bring more jobs and life to the city centre,” says Timo Hintsanen, Director of Urban Planning.
The renewal and infill development of the block will be coordinated with the repair of the Market Hall’s foundations.
“With the renewal, the Market Hall’s role as the heart of the block will be strengthened, and in the future its activities will be able to open onto a new urban square,” Hintsanen says.
New Spaces in the Block
In the draft plan, the most visible changes to the block are a new urban square opening onto Eerikinkatu and two significant new buildings.
The square, which will invite people to spend time and enjoy leisure activities, will be created on the site of the commercial building to be demolished between the Market Hall and Brewery Restaurant Koulu. Terraces and sales points may be opened onto the square from the surrounding buildings. Greenery is an important part of creating a pleasant environment, so trees will be planted in the square and efforts will also be made to preserve the existing trees on Eerikinkatu.
A commercial building aligned with the Market Hall and rising to seven storeys at its highest point is planned for the site of the parking area on the Market Hall plot. Commercial premises and possible new production facilities for the Market Hall will be located on the first floor. The upper floors will be used for accommodation, offices, or housing. Housing may account for no more than 40% of the building’s floor area.
The service yard for the Market Hall and the new building will remain in its current location on the Linnankatu side. The Market Hall’s service building may remain in place or be replaced with a new service building near the current location. Support and production facilities located on the side of the new building would enable a covered market alley between the Market Hall and the new building, extending along the full length of the new building all the way to Linnankatu.
The second major new building in the block, a ten-storey commercial, office and residential building, will be located on the plot next to the Market Hall’s seven-storey new building. The building is the same height as the KOP-kolmio building and continues the same maximum height level that was also used in the supplementary construction included in the detailed plan for Aurakatu 6, which entered into force in 2025.
“The plan provisions to be prepared at the proposal stage will ensure that the new construction fits into the valuable environment. The buildings must create a high-quality urban whole that respects the cultural-historical values of the Market Hall, Brewery Restaurant Koulu, Katiskan talo and the surrounding building stock,” says Nella Karhulahti, Zoning Architect at the City of Turku.
JKMM Architects, which was successful in the Ignite Turku idea competition organised for the development of the city centre, has worked with the City of Turku in preparing the draft plan. The plan has been prepared with respect for the block’s historic building stock. In the draft plan, the Market Hall, the Brewery Restaurant Koulu building and the buildings along Kristiinankatu and Linnankatu will be protected.
Market Hall to be Repaired as Part of the Block Renewal
The repair of the Market Hall’s foundations is currently expected to begin in early 2027.
During the renovation work, the Market Hall’s operations will move next spring to temporary premises on the street level of the Wiklund block and to Brahenpiha courtyard (Kauppiaskatu 9). The Market Hall will operate in the temporary premises for approximately three years.
The news item originally published on 13 May has been updated after the City Board meeting on 18 June 2026.
Progress of the Zoning of the Market Hall Block
- The amount of building rights for the new buildings and their allocation between different uses will be specified in the zoning proposal to be prepared based on the draft plan.
- The zoning proposal will be made available for public viewing towards the end of 2026, when a public event also will be organised.
- The proposed zoning amendment is intended to be submitted to the City Council for consideration in early 2027.
- Opinions on the plan can be submitted throughout the zoning process to kaupunkisuunnittelu@turku.fi
- The progress of the project can be followed on the zoning page of the Market Hall block.