Zoning Amendment Enables the Renewal of the Turku Market Hall Block

On Thursday 21 May 2026, the Urban Environment Committee will discuss the draft zoning amendment for the Market Hall block. The aim of the plan is to increase the attractiveness of the city centre and safeguard the operating conditions of the Market Hall.

“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.

Next to the new building on the Market Hall plot, on plot 4, the block’s second significant new building will be located: a 12-storey building with commercial premises, offices, and housing.

“The upper floors of the high-rise building have been stepped back. This gives the building a lighter appearance and helps it fit into the overall block,” 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 repair work, it is proposed that the Market Hall’s operations be moved to temporary premises on the street level of the Wiklund block and to Brahenpiha courtyard at Kauppiaskatu 9. Decisions on the temporary premises will be made by the City Board and City Council in June.

The draft plan and its appendices are available in the meeting materials of the Urban Environment Committee’s meeting on 21 May 2026 (in Finnish)