Lauttasaari manor, building in Finland
Lauttasaari Manor is a manor house on an island in Helsinki with a main building constructed in 1837. The estate contains several historic structures including the Red Villa from the 1790s and sits within a garden that was designed in the 1920s and has been carefully restored to reflect its original character.
The Red Villa was built between 1791 and 1793 by the Weurlander family, wealthy landowners and merchants. The main building followed in 1837 under Claes Wilhelm Gyldén, Finland's chief surveying engineer, who constructed it in the Empire style popular at that time.
The Red Villa now functions as a café where locals and visitors gather in a historic setting. The site has become a meeting place for the community while preserving its connection to the past.
The grounds are accessible by walking and public transportation and are open to visitors. The café in the Red Villa provides a comfortable place to relax, while guided tours are arranged by a local community group for those who want to learn more about the estate's history.
The estate served as a nursing home for people with memory loss from 1980 until 2012 before becoming an office and cultural center for the Kone Foundation from 2015 onward. This varied history shows how historic places adapt to new needs while maintaining their identity.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
