Pasila: the Rome of Helsinki
“Pasila is a rather compact district that offers a full range of services. In addition to the Mall of Tripla, the area has the main Helsinki City Library, the theatre Studio-Pasila, and – of course – the expo centre Messukeskus. On weekdays, there’s a quite a lot of traffic as office workers come and go, while evenings and weekends seem to be generally quieter.”
Anni
Local Helsinkian
Old, new, renewed, blue
As much as Pasila is the junction for traffic, it’s also the junction of time and lifestyle. This is the place where old and new intersect, tech meets tradition, and business boho. The area has been heavily under reconstruction for a long time, and in recent years, the modernised neighbourhood has truly started blooming. Not that the area has stopped expanding – quite the contrary, the aim is to double the jobs and triple the residents in the area (no biggie).
Despite the construction and modernisation, Pasila hasn’t forgotten all of its history. Alongside the new and shiny, there is plenty of protected old architecture that is still in use to this day. Veturitallit is an excellent example of business growing under the wings of history: this old locomotive garage area built in 1899 has been turned into office spaces, restaurants, and facilities for recreational activities like climbing and pétanque.
Other architectural treats to see include Toralinna (a home for railway workers from 1899), Rauhanasema (Peace Station – an old railway station from 1915 turned into an event venue and a centre of peace activism), and Helsinki Velodrome (an outdoor velodrome and stadium from 1940).
For a more modern treat, head to Pasila Library. Built in 1986 and designed by architect Kaarlo Leppänen, it’s the newest one of the bunch, but still a very cool location to visit as the architectural style of the building was influenced by none other than the legendary Finnish architect, Alvar Aalto. This massive library is one of the biggest ones in the city and has served as the main library of Helsinki City Library from its opening to this day.
The neighbourhood of encounters
So, Pasila does have traditions and memories from over a century of time. That history is what has created a solid and rich foundation for businesses to grow on – the patina of time feeding into the creativity and invention that have enabled the neighbourhood to become a place for tomorrow’s businesses. Instead of being stuck in the past, this place is shaping the future and already has the makings of being the second – or even the new – city centre of Helsinki. It’s a bold statement and not made lightly.
The importance of meeting new people face-to-face and networking is fully understood and embraced in Pasila. That’s why the area also heavily leans into being a key area for all kinds of events, bringing people together and making it possible to connect with similar minded people.
Did you know that Pasila is the home ground for Slush? Yep, Pasila’s Messukeskus is where the world’s leading startup event is held, attracting visitors from all over the world! This is where the venture capitalists find the best new and growing businesses in Northern Europe. Similarly, events like Helsinki Book Fair and Matka Travel Fair are important places for industries’ businesses, experts, and people to meet, attracting tens of thousands of fairgoers every year. Pasila indeed is an attractive Helsinki business area.
Bleisure
Leisure
Easy. Easier. Pasila.
It all really comes down to the fact how effortless Pasila is – to reach, to stay in, and to continue the trip from. The location is easy and fast to reach from all corners of the city. Hotels are directly connected to the station. Modern and well-equipped co-working areas and office spaces are reached with a minimal amount of walking and ensure efficient workdays and cater to groups of all sizes.
Whatever the reason for your visit is, Pasila has ensured it’s nothing but smooth sailing and has planned all the transitions to a T. Oh, and the ‘T’ in this case stands for the Mall of Tripla, the largest shopping mall in Northern Europe that has made having everything from a railway station and hotels to offices and shops under the same roof possible!
Perhaps the most important feature of the area are its superb transport connections – you can get anywhere quickly and conveniently. Also a fun fact: East Pasila is popular with parkour enthusiasts! You can spot them practicing and see some impressive tricks on your shopping trip.
-Anni
Local Helsinkian
Central Park right at your doorstep
Life in Pasila just hits differently with the sheer ease of living, making it feel like there are more hours in the day. Admittedly, the idea of living in the quarters of 50 shades of grey (the colour, not Christian) can seem intimidating. Luckily here, like all over Helsinki, nature is just a short walk away.
Central Park is a massive outdoor and forest area covering nearly 10 kilometres (that’s ‘big’ in miles). Walking and biking trails run through the entire park, and it’s a great place for not only hiking and exercising but also for commuting. Most of the paths are maintained through the winter, making it possible to enjoy the views and nature throughout the year, and the rest of the paths are turned into ski tracks in the snowiest months. During summer, you can spot the local gardening community’s blooming food plant allotments right behind West Pasila.
Year around
Urban nature
Despite the initial concrete-filled first impression, nature is surprisingly present in Pasila. There are plenty of trees and plantings at the promenade decks of East Pasila, where you can also spot city rabbits and hares – sometimes even a fox. And in West Pasila, Helsinki Central Park opens up right from at the door of your block.
-Anni
Local Helsinkian
Sports of all sorts
Right at the border between Pasila and Käpylä, Käpylä Sports Park offers the means to do all sorts of sports from volleyball and football to ice skating in the winter. Connected to the sports park, there is also a possibility to try out a slightly different hobby: Pasila Parkour Park is a free parkour court for beginners who want to try out the sport on easier obstacles. More advanced parkourers can also get a kick out of the park – the difficulty level depends on your imagination, after all.
And if you feel like exploring further, to the south from the sports park in Mäkelänrinne, you can find Finland’s most popular swimming centre, Mäkelänrinne Swimming Hall. This swimming hall is famous for being a venue for Finland’s swimming championships and international swimming competitions. Finish up your swim with a traditional Finnish sauna and soothe your sore muscles with proper ‘löylyt’ – it means throwing water on the sauna stove and feeling the heat!
Final Thoughts: Pasila Is Always One Step Ahead
Whether it’s the patina of time or the paradise of social butterflies you’re after, Pasila has got you covered. Liveliness and low effort make this junction point of Helsinki the place for business, pleasure, and pioneering. The speed at which this area grows is not for the weak, but when you dare to jump in and go with the flow, you’ll find yourself among tomorrow’s innovations and as part of a Helsinki business area that shapes the future. So, whether you think of Pasila as the second, the new, or the stop-before-the-actual city centre, this cradle of encounters is sure to capture your heart as well.
