These myths about office spaces outside the city center no longer reflect reality
In the Helsinki metropolitan area, office locations are assessed from many perspectives. The city center is often seen as a place where companies benefit from visibility and nearby services, while areas outside the center appeal with smooth transport connections, on-site services, and flexible office solutions. This article debunks four common myths about office spaces outside the city center.
The rise of hybrid work has changed companies’ space requirements, making accessibility and everyday convenience more important than having a specific postal code.
“Companies’ decisions are increasingly driven by practical matters such as how easy it is to reach the office from different directions and employees’ homes, how smooth everyday life at the office is, and what kind of supportive environment the office provides,” says Jarkko Mylly, Technopolis’ Business Unit Director for Helsinki metropolitan area.
Yet, myths about offices outside the city center persist. Here are four of the most common:
Myth 1: It’s hard to get to offices outside the city center
The image of a remote office cluster with poor transport links doesn’t reflect reality. Most office hubs, or concentrated office areas, are located along metro or train lines, with bus connections as well. Many areas are accessible from multiple directions without the heavy traffic of the city center. For those who commute by car, the key advantage is the availability of on-site parking, which also costs significantly less than downtown.
For example, the real estate agency Neliöt Liikkuu LKV relocated its office from Museokatu in Helsinki to Salmisaari, Ruoholahti, in 2023. The new office is located on Technopolis’ campus, and the decision to move was driven by transport connections, costs and convenient parking.
“From Salmisaari, you can move in all directions without major traffic jams, and take the elevator straight from the parking garage to the office. In the city center, finding a parking spot was often more difficult and more expensive,” says Samu Siponen, CEO of Neliöt Liikkuu LKV.
Myth 2: Services are only available in the city center
The city center is known for its wide range of services. Office hubs, however, operate on a different logic: they concentrate services within the same building or block.
“Offices outside the center can’t match the variety of services in the city center, but they succeed in another way. In concentrated office areas, all necessary services are usually conveniently located under one roof, which makes employees’ daily lives easier,” Mylly explains.
According to Andrei Koivumäki, founder of Neliöt Liikkuu LKV, proximity to services provides a clear advantage in day-to-day operations.
“For us, the most important thing is that everyday basics are easy to take care of. Lunch restaurants are just downstairs, snacks and drinks are quickly available from the kiosk, and the campus meeting rooms can be booked effortlessly when more space or privacy is needed. The reception service completes the package,” Koivumäki says.
Myth 3: Offices outside the city center suit only a few
Offices outside the city center have sometimes been seen as solutions for a narrow group of companies, but in reality, they serve many types of businesses across different industries. Today, location is chosen primarily based on practical needs. For example, research and development work often requires adaptable spaces and special solutions that may be difficult to implement in the city center’s historic buildings. International operators, on the other hand, benefit from immediate proximity to the airport.
According to Mylly, Technopolis campuses are built to be flexible and designed to meet diverse company needs: Otaniemi functions as a hub for research and technology, Ruoholahti as a home for expert organizations, and Aviapolis as a center for international companies. The city center, meanwhile, has retained its role as the base for finance sector.
“Companies focused on research and development or requiring specialized facilities, such as laboratories or production spaces, often find suitable solutions more easily outside the center,” Mylly notes.
Myth 4: High-quality spaces exist only in the city center
Office spaces in the city center are often associated with quality, as higher price levels and impressive buildings can easily create that impression. In reality, high-quality office spaces are equally available outside the center.
In office hubs outside the city center, buildings are often designed to function as office buildings from the start, and are therefore tailored to meet companies’ evolving needs, making them practical, flexible, and functional in everyday use. Quality in office spaces means the overall package: adaptable and efficient layouts, well-designed technical solutions such as ventilation, high-quality materials, and services that support daily life.
“In the end, quality is quite individual. Each company should consider which factors are most important to them when choosing new office space. It’s also worth noting that the quality of a space can often be influenced by the company itself, such as by choosing materials, when the office provider offers services like workspace design,” Mylly concludes.