The declared goal of the operator was to reinvent ITIS, not just renovate it. Reimagined as a vibrant place for connection, enjoyment, daily life and discovery, the center has been completely redesigned. The focus was on the needs of the local community – as well as sustainable development and an urban lifestyle. CC Real brought its extensive expertise as a real estate investment and asset management company to bear in the areas of leasing, operations, marketing and sustainable development.
A central highlight of the transformation is the striking new market hall covering 4,000 square metres, which is now the social heart of the centre. Bringing together culinary experiences, culture, and community with Nordic design and an authentic atmosphere – warm materials, family-friendly spaces, and an amphitheatre for events. The extensively modernised Bulevardi – the longest covered shopping street in Northern Europe, featuring real trees – offers a dynamic, pedestrian experience that reflects Helsinki’s unique character while improving access to retail, services, and social spaces.
“This transformation of ITIS wasn’t done for its own sake,” says Harald Schaller, Senior Asset Manager at CC Real. “We recognised that ITIS had to change – to become more relevant to people’s everyday lives and expectations. This principle informed every design and leasing decision: making the centre more intuitive, inclusive, and connected with its surroundings.”
An Urban Meeting Place For Today And Tomorrow
Since its opening in 1984, ITIS has been a key retail and social hub in eastern Helsinki. Under the leadership of CC Real, the centre has undergone a complete repositioning. The redesign focused on openness, clarity and improving the visitor experience: entrances have been expanded, navigation within the building has been made more intuitive and the façades have been opened up to better integrate the building into the urban landscape. Bulevardi is now a destination in its own right, offering clear sightlines, modernised storefronts and a naturally lit, pedestrian-friendly environment that connects key anchor tenants with new dining zones. A redesigned vertical core enhances access to all levels, while an upgraded parking service now offers two hours of free parking on the upper levels.
The centre, which is owned by a joint venture (90% Morgan Stanley and 10% CC Real), spans nearly 99,000 square metres and is home to 211 tenants, including over 120 shops and more than 40 food and beverage outlets. It receives an annual footfall of approximately 14.4 million and has an annual turnover of €203 million, with a medium-term target of increasing visits to 18 million. With direct connections to the metro, tram and bus lines, as well as key road links, ITIS is easily accessible. Planned infrastructure improvements will further enhance connectivity.
Sustainability, Social Value And Future Readiness
CC Real’s vision extends beyond physical infrastructure. ITIS’ transformation is driven by sustainability and social impact. The centre holds a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ certificate and WWF Green Office accreditation, and aims to achieve ‘Outstanding’ status in the future. In the coming months, 50 electric vehicle charging stations will be installed, and further energy efficiency measures will be implemented. Social responsibility also plays a vital role, with initiatives including supporting local charities, combatting social isolation, and creating learning opportunities.
CC Real: Rethinking urban space
This project exemplifies CC Real’s mission to create places that enrich the urban lifestyle. As a fully integrated real estate investment and asset management company, CC Real combines development, architecture, leasing, operations and sustainability under one roof – for faster implementation and customized, location-specific solutions. The result in ITIS: a center that is no longer just a place to shop – but a place to meet, eat, discover and belong.
