Helsinki’s shoreline, near the iconic Market Square, is quickly transforming into a vibrant new hub of art and design by the sea. The opening of the Solo Sokos Hotel Pier 4 is part of this remarkable transformation. The design hotel, located in the striking Katajanokan Laituri, a new solid wood building, strives to become Finland’s most sustainable hotel.
The efforts of Helsinki to modernize its building infrastructure are crucial for achieving its sustainability goals. A key focus is enhancing the city’s urban environment and making the 131-kilometre shoreline more accessible for residents and visitors alike.
The new Museum of Architecture and Design, currently in development, will further boost the area’s cultural and architectural appeal.
A modern architectural icon in Helsinki’s historic center
Katajanokan Laituri stands as a modern Finnish wooden architectural landmark. Designed by the award-winning Anttinen Oiva Architects, this four-storey building is constructed using Finnish and Swedish timber and showcases a blend of innovative architectural techniques with sustainable, traditional materials.
Inside, the wooden framework has been left exposed wherever possible, reinforcing a connection to nature. Sustainability features prominently in the building’s design, with solar panels on the roof, a multi-species green roof, and a birch forest growing in the hotel’s atrium. The building not only acts as a carbon storage facility but is also designed to last at least 100 years. Future-proofing measures, including flood protection, allow it to withstand water level rises of more than three meters.
Finland’s most environmentally sustainable hotel
The Solo Sokos Hotel Pier 4 aims to be Finland’s most sustainable hotel, both in terms of its construction and its operations. The entire building is targeting a LEED Platinum environmental certification, with a focus on achieving carbon neutrality and using only renewable energy sources. The hotel also plans to obtain Green Key and Sustainable Travel Finland certifications.
The hotel features 164 rooms, 43 of which offer uninterrupted views of the sea. In addition, it boasts conference facilities, a seaside café, and a rooftop terrace with stunning views over the Market Square and South Harbour. The hotel’s restaurant, Harbore, is led by Finnish chef Sauli Kemppainen, a Michelin-starred culinary talent known for his minimalist approach to cooking. At Harbore, each dish is centered around just two main ingredients, such as reindeer and onion, with up to 85% of all ingredients sourced from Finland and the Nordic region.
Incorporating sustainability at every level, from its wooden construction to its eco-conscious operations, Katajanokan Laituri and Solo Sokos Hotel Pier 4 mark a significant step forward in Helsinki’s journey toward a greener, more sustainable future.