Kirjatalo
Commercial property in Helsinki, Finland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kirjatalo (Swedish: Bokhuset; lit. 'Book House') is a commercial building located on the corner of Pohjoisesplanadi and Keskuskatu in central Helsinki, Finland. It is notable for having been designed by Alvar Aalto.[2] Possibly its best-known resident is the flagship store of the Academic Bookstore chain.[2]
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| Kirjatalo | |
|---|---|
Kirjatalo seen from southwesterly direction | |
 Interactive map of the Kirjatalo area | |
Alternative names | Kirjapalatsi ('Book Palace')[1] |
General information | |
| Type | Commercial |
Architectural style | Modernism |
| Location | Pohjoisesplanadi 39, Helsinki, Finland |
| Coordinates | 60.16780°N 24.94333°E |
Completed | 1969[1] |
| Technical details | |
| Floor area | 8,861 square metres (95,380 sq ft)[2] |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Alvar Aalto[1] |
Background
Architecture
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Both the copper-clad exterior, and the central atrium concept of the building's interior, were designed to match those of the Rautatalo.[1]
The central space making up the atrium receives natural illumination from the skylights extending downwards from the roof. Surrounding the atrium are the upper floors' mezzanine structures.[1]
Recent developments
The upper floors, originally allocated to office use, have subsequently been taken over by the book store.[3]
There is a restaurant, Café Aalto, opened in 1986, located on the first floor of the building.[3]
In 2015, Stockmann sold the operations of the Academic Bookstore chain to the Bonnier Group.[4]
In 2018, Stockmann also sold the property to a real estate investor for over EUR 108 m.[2]
