Espoo to sell historic Lillhemtans house in Henttaa

The City of Espoo is seeking a buyer for the Lillhemtans house in Henttaa and its outbuildings, said an official press release on Monday.

The application period has begun on Monday and will end on 29 January 2027.

The aim is to find an operator to renovate the buildings, which are protected in the detailed plan, and develop activities suitable for the culturally and historically valuable environment.

In the detailed plan, the plot is designated as a block area with service buildings. Facilities that serve residents, associations and organisations as well as workspaces may also be sited in the area.

The buyer is sought through an open two-stage application procedure. An individual operator or a consortium formed by several operators may participate in the procedure.

In the first stage, applicants are asked to submit preliminary drafts and plans for the implementation of the project. Applications are evaluated for their plans’ quality and suitability for the culturally and historically valuable environment.

Candidates selected for the second stage will be asked to come in for an interview. Based on the applications and interviews, the best applicants are asked to submit a site-specific bid for the buildings on the plot. The applicant that submits the highest bid for the buildings is proposed as the buyer. They will also be asked to sign a land lease agreement.

The City Board's Business and Competitiveness Subcommittee makes the decision to sell the buildings and lease the plot. It will become possible to redeem ownership of the plot after the repair and alteration work of the buildings protected by the detailed plan has been completed.

The plot covers an area of approximately 7,200 square metres. There is no unused building on the plot.

The Lillhemtans farm itself began in the 16th century. The frame of the current main building was built in the late 18th century.

The farm became the property of politician Väinö Tanner in 1917, who was thorough in his renovation and expansion of the main building. It was at that time that the building gained its current appearance. The farm has been owned by the City of Espoo since 1981.

The property includes a main building and an outbuilding, which are protected in the detailed plan, as well as a storage building. The buildings are in need of renovation.

According to the building register, the floor area of the main building is 290 square metres.