Olympiaranta proposed as the new location of the HAM Helsinki Art Museum

The objective of the HAM facility working group set up in the summer of 2023 was to consider what type of location would best help the HAM Foundation (HAM Helsingin taidemuseosäätiö sr) to achieve its objectives and which location would best allow HAM to benefit the City of Helsinki. The working group submitted its proposal to the City Manager Jukka-Pekka Ujula on 7 October.

“The overall development of HAM in line with the objectives of the museum foundation requires conditions that allow for ambitious, international-level museum activities. The current rented Tennispalatsi premises offer quite limited possibilities for development, so we looked at alternatives for a new location and reviewed the City’s own intent in the matter. The working group has also studied the implementation model, investment level and timetable of the building project,” says Mari Männistö, Culture Director in Helsinki and the working group’s chairperson.

The HAM facility working group looked at several sites across the city for the museum’s new location. Nine sites were selected for a qualitative comparison, based on which the working group chose two sites for further study in spring 2024: Olympiaranta (the Olympia Terminal and Head Office buildings) in Makasiiniranta and Töölö Sugar Factory in Töölönlahti, near the Finnish National Opera and Ballet. Of these two sites, Olympiaranta was seen to contribute more towards the City's goals than the former factory site in Töölö.

However, a new location option emerged in late 2024: a proposal by a private body for a new, mainly underground building in Makasiinipuisto, between the Oodi Library and Musiikkitalo. As with the Olympiaranta and Töölö Sugar Factory locations, a reference plan and preliminary cost calculations were prepared for the Makasiinipuisto location in spring 2025, taking into account the museum's facility programme.

Based on the assessments, Olympiaranta and Makasiinipuisto were both stated to be strong contenders with good locations. The main criteria for their comparison were the development of HAM's operations, urban development and the perspective of the group economics.

“The working group has taken the different points of view into account very well. From the perspective of museum operations, both of these locations are excellent and would create positive development in their areas. The potential of Makasiinipuisto was seen as strong, but the arguments in favour of Olympiaranta are even stronger as a whole, from the perspective of urban development and group economics,” emphasises City Manager Ujula.

“It is truly valuable that Helsinki is investing in art and the renewal of HAM. The future premises will allow us to reach a whole new level – world-class art experience for everyone, from Helsinki locals to visitors. From the museum’s perspective, the assessment offered several great options, of which Olympiaranta, which is close to the future Architecture & Design Museum, is highly inspiring. From the Art Museum's perspective, the strong point of the Makasiinipuisto proposal was the included unique collaboration with Finnish art collectors and foundations. We are hoping to continue the negotiations with them regarding a co-operation also for the Olympiaranta location,” says Arja Miller, Director of HAM and member of the facility working group.

Based on the assessments conducted, as well as the extensive specialist work and cross-administrative discussions, the HAM facility working group recommends that Olympiaranta be promoted as the future location of HAM.

HAM to strengthen the future Makasiiniranta culture hub

The aim of the facility working group was to find a new location for HAM and premises that would contribute to the museum's and the City's objectives in a comprehensive way. Examples of these objectives include promoting the accessibility of art and culture among city residents and different audiences, allowing HAM to diversify its self-financing in line with the foundation's objectives and bringing added value to the area’s development work.

“The future HAM will be able to develop even more ambitious exhibitions and offer the public an updated and comprehensive museum experience, including restaurant and other services. Another aim is to be able to showcase the City of Helsinki's own art collection much more extensively than before. In addition, public art could play a stronger role in enlivening the urban space around the museum,” says Miller.

The new location and facilities must also support Helsinki's strategic and urban development objectives, such as promoting the vitality and maritime character of the city centre. The new location would allow HAM and the Helsinki Biennial organised by HAM to better promote the recognition and attractiveness of Helsinki as an international city of art.

The museum’s location in Olympiaranta would also place it among cultural-historical buildings with deep meaning and many stories. Combined with new construction, these would bring recognition to HAM and strengthen its brand further. The new attractive location and facilities would also allow for the development of diversified self-financing.

Before the relocation, HAM Helsinki Art Museum will continue operating at Tennispalatsi in good cooperation with its current lessor. The recently published exhibition programme for 2026 features internationally renowned artists as well as classics of Finnish art and contemporary artists.

“Tennispalatsi will continue to host diverse and impressive exhibitions for years to come. Next year, for example, we will open an expanded Tove Jansson Gallery, as well as a stage for new kinds of exhibition concepts, called the New Art Space. We will also develop the exhibition premises for our art collection,” says Miller.

Next, the City will assess how to continue to promote the project as part of its investment plans.

HAM’s placement in Olympiaranta has been taken into consideration in the change of the Makasiiniranta detailed plan currently being drafted, and the option for additional construction has been included between the Head Office building and the Olympia Terminal. The current estimate is that construction on the site could start in 2033 at the soonest, and the museum would be ready in 2035 at the earliest.

Enquiries:

City of Helsinki
Culture Director Mari Männistö
mari.mannisto@hel.fi 
tel. +358 400 539 900

City of Helsinki
City Manager Jukka-Pekka Ujula
jukka-pekka.ujula@hel.fi
tel. +358 403 522 033

HAM Helsinki Art Museum
Museum Director Arja Miller
arja.miller@hamhelsinki.fi
tel.+358 503 361 980