Merihaka
Encyclopedia
Merihaka is a seashore residential area in central Helsinki
, Finland
consisting of large high-rise concrete
housing blocks. It is located by the Baltic Sea next to districts of Hakaniemi
, Kallio
and Sörnäinen
. It is known for its tall, grey buildings that some find gloomy. The residents of Merihaka tend to value highly the scenery, central location, tranquil atmosphere and lack of cars. The housing complex was built, partly on reclaimed land
, during the 1970s and 1980s, and today it is home to some 2,300 people.
A distinctive feature, shared with some other places in Helsinki such as Itä-Pasila, is traffic segregation: the streets for cars and buses together with large car parks are on a level of their own, below that of pedestrian footway
s and the main entrances to the buildings. This arrangement was to increase the cosiness of the area as well as improve traffic safety.
The apartments in Merihaka are not among the cheapest or most unwanted in Helsinki. This is mainly due to the area's central location, only about one kilometre from the core of downtown Helsinki. Some flats, with magnificent sea views, command very high prices. The attractiveness of Merihaka is increased by its small-boat harbour and many residents are members of the local yacht club. Public transportation possibilities are diverse and rapid.
The most famous resident of Merihaka was, probably, the former prime minister of Finland, Kalevi Sorsa
.
Merihaka is the permanent location for a famous restaurant steamboat Wäiski
, which resides at its harbour. There is also a very active sports hall in Merihaka.
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
, Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
consisting of large high-rise concrete
Concrete
Concrete is a composite construction material, composed of cement and other cementitious materials such as fly ash and slag cement, aggregate , water and chemical admixtures.The word concrete comes from the Latin word...
housing blocks. It is located by the Baltic Sea next to districts of Hakaniemi
Hakaniemi
Hakaniemi is an unofficial district of Helsinki, the Finnish capital. It is considered a part of the Helsinki city center. Historically, it was often associated with the working class and worker's associations. However, the cost of living has risen considerably in recent years and is now on par...
, Kallio
Kallio
Kallio is a district and a neighbourhood in Helsinki, the capital of Finland, located on the eastern side of the Helsinki peninsula about one kilometere north from the city centre. It is one of the most densely populated areas in Finland...
and Sörnäinen
Sörnäinen
Sörnäinen is a neighbourhood in the city of Helsinki, Finland.Sörnäinen is located a little more than one kilometre north from the coastal centre of Helsinki, near the district of Hakaniemi. The east side of Sörnäinen borders the sea....
. It is known for its tall, grey buildings that some find gloomy. The residents of Merihaka tend to value highly the scenery, central location, tranquil atmosphere and lack of cars. The housing complex was built, partly on reclaimed land
Land reclamation
Land reclamation, usually known as reclamation, is the process to create new land from sea or riverbeds. The land reclaimed is known as reclamation ground or landfill.- Habitation :...
, during the 1970s and 1980s, and today it is home to some 2,300 people.
A distinctive feature, shared with some other places in Helsinki such as Itä-Pasila, is traffic segregation: the streets for cars and buses together with large car parks are on a level of their own, below that of pedestrian footway
Sidewalk
A sidewalk, or pavement, footpath, footway, and sometimes platform, is a path along the side of a road. A sidewalk may accommodate moderate changes in grade and is normally separated from the vehicular section by a curb...
s and the main entrances to the buildings. This arrangement was to increase the cosiness of the area as well as improve traffic safety.
The apartments in Merihaka are not among the cheapest or most unwanted in Helsinki. This is mainly due to the area's central location, only about one kilometre from the core of downtown Helsinki. Some flats, with magnificent sea views, command very high prices. The attractiveness of Merihaka is increased by its small-boat harbour and many residents are members of the local yacht club. Public transportation possibilities are diverse and rapid.
The most famous resident of Merihaka was, probably, the former prime minister of Finland, Kalevi Sorsa
Kalevi Sorsa
Taisto Kalevi Sorsa was a Finnish politician who was Prime Minister of Finland four times: 1972–1975, 1977–1979, 1982–1983 and 1983–1987 and at the date of his death still held the Finnish record of most days of incumbency as prime minister...
.
Merihaka is the permanent location for a famous restaurant steamboat Wäiski
Wäiski
Wäiski is a restaurant ship located in Merihaka, Helsinki, Finland. It has normal restaurant services, and is also available for all kinds of private events, such as birthdays and company parties.-History:...
, which resides at its harbour. There is also a very active sports hall in Merihaka.