The Story of KY building
For a long time now, KY has been without a permanent home of its own. The previous building on Pohjoinen Rautatiekatu, completed in 1941 after years of hard work, served business students for decades and became a well-known landmark throughout Finland. However, in 2020, we had to give up this beloved and important base, leaving the association in limbo. Yet, the dream of having our own house is not a new one; it has traveled with the association since its very beginning.
First Steps and ”Vanha kunta”
The dream of our own building emerged during the association's earliest days. A 1919 issue of Ylioppilaslehti (the student magazine) clearly described this goal: ”The closest aim of the association's current operations is the acquisition of its own club premises.”
In the early stages, activities were run in the same facilities as the School of Business, but organizing our own evening events in borrowed spaces was challenging. KY acquired its first space in 1923, moving festively into its first rented apartment, known as Suomi-Looshi. It only served us for a year, after which, in 1924, KY rented the large hall of the Virkamiestalo building at Fabianinkatu 19 for Friday night parties and meetings. During other times, meetings were held in restaurant cabinets.
The first step toward permanence was the so-called ”Vanha kunta” (The Old Commune) at Fabianinkatu 26. Unlike previous spaces, this apartment was in continuous use by our members. It became KY's first real hub, a place to spend free time, sell lecture notes, and maintain the KY spirit.
Grand Plans and the Shadow of War
However, Vanha kunta was only a temporary solution. In 1925, a determined fundraising campaign for a new building began. Funds were gathered from companies, individuals, and the School of Business. Additionally, large lotteries throughout the years significantly boosted the treasury. In 1929, KY bought its first plot at the intersection of Runeberginkatu and Arkadiankatu, where Hanken stands today. Despite a great start, the depression of the 1930s hindered fundraising, and the plot eventually had to be given up before construction even began.
The business students were not discouraged. As the economy recovered, we set our sights on a new plot at the corner of Fredrikinkatu and Pohjoinen Rautatiekatu, which was purchased in 1938. The deal was struck at a favorable price by promising the building for the Olympic Committee's use for the 1940 Olympics. The plans were massive: alongside student facilities, the building was to house a hotel, restaurants, a huge banquet hall, and other commercial spaces.
The building project initially progressed at a rapid pace. On August 12, 1939, the foundation stone of the KY Building was laid, and a copper casket was concealed within it. The casket preserved the foundation charter, the student union badge and ribbon, and contemporary coins for future generations.
Then, the war changed everything. There was a severe shortage of building materials—existing supplies of rebar were only enough for the first two floors. Leaving the building at just two stories was seriously considered, but refused to give up. Plans were scaled back: the hotel dream and grandiose lobby layouts were abandoned to save costs, but the work continued.
The Legendary KY Building is Completed
After the Winter War ended, a topping-out ceremony was held on June 1, 1940. In January 1941, the first students moved into the building's 35 residential rooms; a total of 46 lucky students got a new home.
The official opening ceremonies were held on February 22, 1941, in the presence of the nation's leadership. Distinguished guests included President Risto Ryti, Prime Minister J.W. Rangell, and School of Business Rector Kalle Kauppi. KY lived in these premises for 79 years. The building, along with its Yläkertsi and Alakertsi (upper and lower clubrooms), KY-Exit, and other spaces, became concepts that united generations of students.
The Otaniemi Era and Finding a New Home
The creation of Aalto University, uniting the School of Business, the University of Technology, and the University of Art and Design, triggered a significant transformation for KY. We were no longer just our own entity, but part of a larger community. In 2015, the first Bachelor's students began their studies in Otaniemi, and eventually, all academic operations were transferred from Helsinki to Espoo. Even though we rented various facilities on the new campus, the beloved KY Building remained in Helsinki, leaving us without a true home in Espoo.
By the time the legendary building in Helsinki had to be given up, the school and the student body had already moved to Otaniemi. Naturally, the new building needed to be located there as well. The long-planned Student Centre (OPKE) project, in collaboration with AYY and TF, aimed to create a shared home for the entire Aalto community, and its planning had started even before the old building was sold. However, after years of work and challenges, this idea unfortunately had to be abandoned in 2024. KY was still homeless.
A year later, persistent searching was finally rewarded. After going through various options and a massive amount of negotiations, KY was able to publish the long-awaited news on August 21, 2025: the foundation had purchased a property and plot in Espoo, at the address Metallimiehenkuja 10.
Looking Ahead: The New Business Student Home
While the plot is now ours, the home is not yet ready. The former office building does not meet the needs of a lively student organization as it is, so a massive renovation lies ahead. The ambitious goal is to build an entirely new floor for an event space. Thanks to the hard work of the KY ry, the KY Foundation, and other stakeholders, there is finally light at the end of the tunnel: the new building is scheduled for completion during 2027.
If all goes according to plan, KY will soon once again have a place to call its own. The goal is to create a nationally renowned business student home that pulsates with life from morning till night. Unlike the temporary spaces we have used, the new building is meant to feel like a shared, easily accessible meeting place for every KY member.
The project is huge, and expectations are high. However, to ensure the building serves us all in the best possible way, we need input from the entire community. The KY office will organize events to present the plans, and we hope a wide range of members will participate and share their opinions. Let's make this our shared home together.
Best regards, KY's premises responsible
