The renovation of the buildings and green areas of the Kultaranta estate was completed on 31 October 2024.
In the first phase of the renovation in 2018–2019, the access roads and infrastructure were renewed. The main phase of the renovation was carried out in 2022–2024 and focused on the garden and the Granite Castle, the main building of the estate. This phase also included renovations to the villas and other structures in the park.
The park and the main building date from the 1910s and 1920s and were in need of renovation. The Kultaranta estate was last renovated in the 1960s, at which time the park was also extensively redeveloped. The granite castle underwent minor renovations in the 1990s.
President of the Republic of Finland Alexander Stubb and his spouse Suzanne Innes-Stubb stayed at Kultaranta for the summer of 2025. During the summer months, the garden at Kultaranta was also open to the public on Friday evenings as usual.
Objectives of the renovation
The goal of the renovation was to identify, preserve and restore the cultural and historical values of the buildings and and green areas at Kulta. The renovation took into account the requirements set by modern-day use, energy efficiency and maintenance.
The restoration and renovation measures were guided by conservation regulations. Kultaranta was protected in 1994 by decree and in 1987 by a local town plan. Kultaranta is also a classified as a protected built cultural environment.
Project schedule
The Kultaranta renovation project progressed mainly as planned. The project was fully completed on schedule on 31 October 2024, marking the start of the two-year guarantee period.
Who carried out the work?
The project contractors were put out to tender through a public tendering process. As a minimum requirement or selection criterion, all selected contractors were required to provide references where the target of the work was a protected building or park.
- Sitowise Oy was selected for the landscape architecture design
- A consortium made up of Trium Architects Ltd, Arkkitehtitoimisto Hanna Lyytinen Oy and Käpy and Simo Paavilainen Architects Ltd was selected for the architectural design of the buildings
- Both of the above require engineering work: Ramboll Oy was selected for the condition surveys, Granlund Oy for HVAC engineering, Rejlers Oy for electrical engineering and Ideastructura Oy for structural engineering
The main contractor for the project is Rakennustoimisto Laamo Oy, whose main subcontractors are:
- Terrawise Oy, responsible for earthworks and green spaces
- Calto Oy, responsible for HVAC, electrical works, automation and sprinklers
Costs of the renovation
The cost of the main renovation phase (2022–2024) was EUR 34.8 million.
The project planning, analyses of the condition of the buildings, reconstruction of the technical systems, safety-related work, conservation and restoration of the buildings, and the first phase of the refurbishment of the Kultaranta park (2018–2019) amounted to approximately EUR 17.24 million.
The total cost of the renovation is EUR 52.04 million.
The park opened for the 2025 summer season
The park at Kultaranta opened for the 2025 summer season, and as in earlier years, it was open for independent visits on Friday evenings from 18.00 to 20.00 until late September.
In total, the Kultaranta estate covers an area of 55 hectares and includes numerous buildings, structures and greenhouses, as well as a large, carefully maintained park. The central building of the estate is the Granite Castle, designed by architect Lars Sonck and surrounded by extensive park areas.
The Kultaranta estate and garden were originally established by businessman Alfred Kordelin. Following his death, the property was transferred to the State of Finland. Kultaranta has served as the summer residence of the President of the Republic of Finland since 1920.
This article was last updated on 19 February 2026.