09.10.2024
We Land brings top-level services to Ruoholahti – including a Michelin-starred restaurant
Helsinki's Ruoholahti entered a new era in the summer of 2024 with the completion of We Land, developed by NCC. A tour of the finished office building immediately shows that something unique is on offer in many ways. Services have been taken to a new level, and the crowning feature of the building is the Michelin-starred Restaurant Demo.
When planning for We Land began in 2019, the City of Helsinki wanted something different for the plot than a traditional office building. During the design phase, several stakeholders were consulted, including investors, companies interested in office spaces, and local residents.
Now the building is complete, with 90 percent of the office spaces already leased. We Land breaks traditional office concepts as a new type of open-house destination, welcoming the public and enlivening the urban landscape. The location in Ruoholahti is unparalleled, and the building, with its copper façade, stands as a landmark for the area.
"Charlie delivers hospitality that exceeds expectations"
The uniqueness of We Land is immediately apparent as soon as you step through the revolving doors. This marks the start of something you won't find in other new Finnish buildings. The lobby services are managed by "Charlie," a hospitality expert specializing in work environments, akin to a hotel's concierge. Charlie ensures daily life is smooth, functional, and enjoyable.
This is no ordinary lobby service; it's much more. Charlie acts like the "caretaker of the good old days," whose time is dedicated to the building's occupants. Charlie provides a broader range of high-quality services than traditional lobby assistance, allowing many daily tasks to be handled at the workplace through a single service desk, in both Finnish and English. The service palette is managed by industry professionals.
– It's great to implement a concept created by a large team and see the plans come to life. We Land has been wonderfully received, and everything has started smoothly. It’s also delightful that, in addition to those working in the building, others in the area have discovered our lunch and café services, says Meeri Kivimäki, Key Account Director at ISS Palvelut Oy.
The Charlie services are supported by the We Land app, which brings the entire service offering to tenants' phones at the push of a button. Through the app, it's easy to book spaces or check whether the lunch restaurant is busy, helping to decide whether it's better to go at noon or a little later.
"An opportunity to elevate Demo to the city's peak"
Finland's longest-standing Michelin-starred Restaurant Demo will open with sea views in October on the top 14th floor of We Land. Restaurateur Tommi Tuominen continues the fine dining culinary line of the original Demo, which opened on Uudenmaankatu in 2003.
– Now we literally have the opportunity to elevate Demo to the top of the city. In the old space, the walls were limiting, and development stalled, so I thought it best to change location. Although it’s hard to leave the original site, I believe the six-meter-high glass walls with views over the sea and the city will provide some comfort, says Tuominen.
The approximately 45-seat Demo, open to all, promises to serve lunch on weekdays and dinner from Monday to Saturday. The flavor profile relies heavily on quality, the best seasonal ingredients from local producers, and a continually evolving kitchen.
"Kasi is like the crown jewel of the entrance floor"
On the entrance floor, it’s easy to pop into the Kasi lunch restaurant or the self-service Café Kasi.
– Kasi is inspired by the number eight, which is a symbol of infinity and continuity. It also represents boldness, balance, and ambition, all of which the restaurant team embodies in providing service and taste experiences to customers. The name also suits the fact that the restaurant is conveniently reached by tram number eight, says Restaurant Operations Manager Osku Toivanen.
Head Chef Michael Murdoch, who moved to Finland from Australia ten years ago, describes the restaurant's food culture as international, seasonal, fresh, flavorful, and straightforward. Every day, there’s a generous salad bar and three different hot dishes – listening to customer preferences.
Additional opportunities are provided by the first-floor multifunctional event space, fully equipped and available for rent by external parties. It’s perfect for seminars, birthdays, weddings, or yoga events.
"The area is developing into a pleasant urban boulevard"
Companies like Kalmar, Deloitte, and Hiab have already moved into We Land, with Helen joining later next year. Once the building is fully occupied, it will house over 2,000 office workers.
Ruoholahti is a prime location for companies wanting to be in the heart of a developing urban environment. We Land naturally connects with its neighborhood, offering culture, fitness, homes, shops, and services.
Thanks to its central location, We Land is easily accessible by public transport, car, or bicycle. The building provides 450 bicycle spaces, 120 of which are for charging electric bikes. The entire Porkkalankatu area will continue to develop into a pleasant urban boulevard after the completion of We Land.
Unique We Land – Top 5
- Customer experience with a big heart – Charlie provides person-to-person care
- Location in central Helsinki – excellent transport connections
- All services in your pocket – We Land app
- High-quality restaurant services – versatile event spaces
- Sustainability – aiming for the highest BREEAM Outstanding environmental rating