Leander House, Regional heritage site in Sortavala, Russia.

Leander House is a residential building in Sortavala designed in the national Romantic style, featuring geometric patterns and design details that express the characteristics of this architectural movement. The structure displays its decorative elements through windows, doors, and wall surfaces that define its overall appearance.

Built in 1905 for the Sortavala branch of Kansallis-Osake-Pankki, the house was designed by Eliel Saarinen, whose brother Hannes directed the branch from 1901 to 1911. The bank office occupied the ground floor, with staff flats above. In 1911 Oskar Johannes Leander became director and gave the house its name. Architect Lars Sonk enlarged the ground-floor windows in 1934.

The house shows how people in early twentieth-century Sortavala built their homes, mixing local building traditions with newer design ideas in ways you can see on its facade. Walking past it, you notice how it differs from older buildings in the same area.

You can view the house from outside year-round since it sits along a public route showcasing Sortavala's architectural heritage. It is easy to locate and visit as part of exploring the town's buildings from this period.

Eliel Saarinen designed the building in 1905, when he was little known and working for Kansallis-Osake-Pankki; his brother Hannes directed the Sortavala branch from 1901 to 1911. In 1934 Lars Sonck enlarged the ground-floor window openings. Since the 1990s parts of the house have been rented by Sberbank, and today some rooms are leased to the Sortavala department of the FSB.