History

Accommodation in Helsinki's Kamppi since 1928

The building is owned by YWCA (The Finnish Christian Women's Association) and has always been used for accommodation purposes. Hotel Helka has been located in the building since 1969, and before that, the space was used by Hospitz Helka. The building has also served as a student dormitory, a residence for women in public service, a cafeteria, a bakery, a bread shop, a café, and a laundry. Additionally, before the expansion wing was built, there was a service station on the Runeberginkatu side.

The building cost 7 million Finnish marks and the funds were raised through donations, stock certificates, loans, and the sale of fabric flowers, postcards, and cardboard bricks. The building was completed 80 years ago, and its opening ceremony on February 26, 1928, was attended by the President of Finland, L.K. Relander.

The building was constructed with as much female labor as possible: the building's plans were drawn up by Wivi Lönn, Finland’s first female architect to establish her own architectural firm, with assistance from architect Aili Salli Ahde. Wivi Lönn studied architecture in the 1890s, during a time when women were only allowed to enter construction schools with special permission. Lönn was a prolific and innovative architect, but her career and works have often been overshadowed by the male masters of the time.

In recent decades, Wivi Lönn has increasingly been recognized as a significant Finnish architect and a pioneer who laid the foundation for the emergence of female architects in Finland.

Wivi Lönn also lived in one of the rental apartments in the Helka building in her later years.

Today, the building houses Hotel Helka, Helka Kitchen, Helka Bar, as well as the YWCA Federation's offices.