Some friends are going to Helsinki soon and I want to show them this gorgeous cafe we found. We must have walked past this building at 19 Pohjoisesplanadi, the main street leading towards the harbour, dozens of times without looking in. We went in for the first time when we were in Helsinki in May. It is amazing!
the front door
The 3 storey building was built in 2 phases between 1815 and 1827 for Russian born merchant Yegor Uschakoffin for residential and commercial use. In 1904 it was renovated by architect Lars Sonck and opened as a bank. The banking hall has 3 naves and vaulted ceilings, making it look a bit like a church. It is now owned by the city of Helsinki and is used as a cafe. You can also enter from the information centre.
3 naves
lovely details
The banking hall’s rich ornamentation, decorative paintings and stone sculpture were designed by Walter Jung.
the beautiful banking hall - now a lovely cafe
beautiful walls
stone sculpture
one of the decorated pillars
I love the staircase
painted by Wilho Sjostrom in 1916
design details
On the way out we noticed a couple of references to the building’s banking past.
a bag of money
- a happy chap counting his money
We walked past again on a fine and sunny Sunday morning and the cafe was full, and tables were spilling out onto the footpath. I would have to sit inside to take in all the lovliness. The coffee and cake we had were good too.
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