Allas Sea Pool is heading toward a major transition as Helsinki prepares to reshape one of its most recognisable waterfront spaces.
The well-known seaside leisure complex beside Market Square is expected to be demolished in the coming years to make room for broader redevelopment works in the South Harbour district. But the plan is not to remove it permanently. Instead, city planners and developers are preparing a larger and more ambitious version to take its place.
For many residents and visitors, the news marks the end of an era. Since opening in 2016, Allas Sea Pool has become more than a swimming venue. It has grown into a defining part of Helsinki’s modern waterfront identity.
The planned demolition is tied directly to Helsinki’s long-term South Harbour redevelopment programme.
According to Nordic Urban, the development company behind the project, the current structure occupies an area needed for major infrastructure work. The city plans to strengthen flood protection measures and carry out repairs and upgrades to the harbour wall.
These projects are considered essential as Helsinki prepares its coastline for future environmental and urban challenges.
Although demolition has been confirmed in principle, the timeline remains flexible.
Current indications suggest the facility will remain open throughout next year, with demolition becoming more likely after redevelopment work advances further.
Importantly, the current venue was never designed as a permanent structure. From the beginning, Allas Sea Pool operated under a temporary development arrangement, despite becoming one of the city’s most established attractions.
Temporary developments often struggle to create lasting impact. Allas Sea Pool followed a different path.
Over nearly a decade, the waterfront complex evolved into one of Helsinki’s busiest public destinations.
Its combination of seawater pools, saunas, restaurants, event spaces and open-air experiences helped turn the area into a year-round attraction rather than a seasonal tourist stop.
Developer estimates suggest around 800,000 people visit the site annually.
That level of use changed how many people viewed the South Harbour area. It became not just a transit zone or historic waterfront, but a place to spend time.
What Comes Next: Plans for Allas Sea Pool II
Rather than replacing the venue with conventional construction, Nordic Urban plans to build a significantly expanded successor.
The proposed project, currently referred to as Allas Sea Pool II, would introduce a broader mix of leisure and event facilities.
Preliminary plans include:
- Expanded outdoor pool areas
- Larger sauna facilities
- Indoor spa spaces
- Conference areas
- Year-round concert and event venues
The ambition appears clear: move beyond a seasonal attraction and create a destination designed for continuous public use across all seasons.
Current cost estimates place the investment at around EUR 65 million, though that figure may change as planning develops.
One of the biggest unknowns is timing.
Planning approval and zoning processes remain incomplete, making it difficult to predict when construction could begin or when the replacement venue might open.
The City of Helsinki has already granted Nordic Urban a development reservation, allowing planning work to continue.
At the same time, the company is exploring temporary alternatives to keep operations running during the transition. Reports indicate developers are searching for another waterfront location within Helsinki that could host a temporary version of Allas Sea Pool until the permanent facility is completed.
An international architecture competition is also expected to take place this year, signalling that the city sees the replacement as more than a construction project.
The next version of Allas Sea Pool will likely help shape how Helsinki presents itself for decades to come.
For now, visitors still have time. The pools remain open, and the familiar waterfront experience is not disappearing overnight.
What is changing is the scale of what comes next.
