Grand Residence 21

1888-1889

A Swedish Master Painter and industrialist Per Erik Färlander built the magnificent property at Korkeavuorenkatu 21 in 1888-1889. Färlander was also the founder of Sandudd wall paper factory, an active entrepreneur and community member. The architect he chose to draw the house was a fellow countryman, Swedish architect Axel Högberg. Grand Residence 21 is the oldest stone house in its city block and became directly a dominant local landmark. Together with neighbouring Johannes Church and the Surgical Hospital, the property brought new life and style to the whole surroundings. The first residents moved in during spring 1889, among them also P.E. Färlander.Photo: Helsinki City Museum

1889-1904

The era of national revival and the fury of young intellectuals, artists, craftsmen and international entrepreneurs marked the first two decades of the property. The residents filling the floors of the house were prosperous merchants, shop owners and public servants, and the commercial space in the street level was busy with bakeries, cafes and artisan shops – the property even housed the atelier of Venni Soldan-Brofeldt, a renowned Finnish female painter. New thoughts and ideologies were introduced and awakening both amongst the Finnish people and in cultural and commercial interactions with the rest of Europe and the world.Photo: National Board of Antiquities

1904-1918

At the turn of the century, in 1904, the property was purchased by the Russian Federation and witnessed a long pause to its residential use. It was converted into official space, and served the Russians Tzar’s officials, most notably the Tzar’s secret police Ohrana. This added a unique, even sinister chapter to the history of the house, until 1918 when the ownership of the prestigious property was transferred to the newly independent State of Finland.Photo: National Board of Antiquities

1918-1939

The State of Finland got possession of the property in 1918. Quite soon thereafter, in 1921, the Ministry of Defense and the general staff moved in. Most impressively, the house acted as a stage for Finnish national history when the Defense Council headed by Field Marshal Mannerheim resided in the fourth floor of the building during 1931-1939, until the beginning of the Finnish Winter War.Photo: National Board of Antiquities

1939-2012

From 1939 until 2012, the Finnish Border Guard used the premises, until 2012 when the State of Finland decided to pursue the sale of this magnificent property, and when the conversion to its original residential use as part of the finest living in Helsinki started.

2017-2019