Citycon will start the construction of a new campus for SAMK, the Satakunta University of Applied Sciences in Pori. The new University of Applied Sciences campus will be located in the city centre of Pori, on the Asema-aukio square next to the railway station. Currently, there is an office and retail building on the plot, most of which will be demolished.
The Asema-aukio property is one of Citycon’s other retail properties and currently house approximately 19,000 square metres of gross leasable area. Citycon won the competitive bidding for the campus project organized by the city of Pori in February this year.
A total of 14,000 square metres of new leasable space will be constructed during the project and 9,000 square metres will be totally (re)developed. Of the total new 23,000 square metre property, 19,200 square metres will be in SAMK’s use with a lease for 20 years. The property is fully leased. The total investment in the development is approximately EUR 40 million.
The construction will begin already in December with preparatory and demolishing works. NCC Construction will act as the project management contractor in charge of the construction work. The premises will be handed over to SAMK in spring 2017, and teaching on the new campus will begin at the start of the autumn semester in 2017. The existing K-supermarket grocery store and the pharmacy will serve as usual throughout the project in the property.
“The office and retail property on Pori’s Asema-aukio square is functionally and technically outdated but it is located in a prime location in the city centre. This means the plot is suited to be used as a campus by the University of Applied Sciences. The project will secure a strong, long-term tenant for the Asema-aukio property and solve the considerable vacancy the property has had in recent years,” says Harri Holmström, Chief Commercial Officer at Citycon Oyj.
”The new campus will offer for SAMK efficient, functional and flexible premises. We believe that the central location, good traffic connections and functional, modern learning environment will add students´ motivation on their studies. This will also make SAMK and Pori more interesting location as a place to study”, says Juha Kämäri, Head Master of the Satakunta University of Applied Sciences.
”The Satakunta University of Applied Sciences is now been provided a future´s learning environment that without doubt enhances Pori´s appeal as a university city. The new campus is located next to the future public transportation center and within walking distance from the airport. This accessibility is among the top on nation level and it will also provide excellent basis for companies to locate in the area. The campus and the public traffic center will genuinely add demand for services in the Pori city center”, says Aino-Maija Luukkonen, the Mayor of Pori. She is also very pleased with employing effects of the project.
Helsinki, 15 December 2014
CITYCON OYJ
Additional information:
Harri Holmström, Chief Commercial Officer at Citycon Oyj
Telephone: +358 40 845 5726
harri.holmstrom@citycon.com
Satakunta University of Applied Sciences, Head Master Juha Kämäri
Telephone: +358 44 710 3003
juha.kamari@samk.fi
Pori, kaupunginjohtaja Aino-Maija Luukkonen
Telephone: +358 44 701 1010
aino-maija.luukkonen@pori.fi
Citycon Oyj (NASDAQ OMX: CTY1S) is a leading owner, developer and manager of urban grocery-anchored shopping centres in the Nordic and Baltic regions, managing assets that total approximately EUR 3.3 billion and with a market capitalisation of approximately EUR 1.6 billion. For more information about Citycon, please visit www.citycon.com