Turku opens competition for new hotel on it's cultural riverfront
The City of Turku is launching a competition for the Hämähäkkitontti site, seeking a high-quality hotel proposal that respects its prestigious surroundings on the banks of the River Aura, next to the city's key cultural venues. The competition is open to construction and real estate developers.
NOVEMBER 2026.- Turku is seeking a new attraction for a prime location on the River Aura, combining an international-standard hotel experience with cultural offerings and services open to everyone. The hotel planned for the site known as Hämähäkkitontti will complement the ensemble formed by Turku Music Centre Fuuga, Turku City Theatre and WAM Turku City Art Museum.
"We are now looking for the final piece to crown this outstanding cultural ensemble along the riverfront," says Vesa Palander, Director of Economic Development at the City of Turku.
"A high-quality hotel will give visitors a reason to stay longer and enjoy the city’s diverse cultural attractions and services throughout the year. It will also strengthen our ability to attract international visitors, congresses and seminars to Turku," Palander says.
New riverfront services and a connection to the park
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The project development and land allocation competition for Hämähäkkitontti is open to construction and real estate companies, or consortia formed by them. Each participating team must include a named hotel operator committed to meeting international quality standards.
Alongside the quality of the hotel concept, the evaluation criteria emphasise high-quality architecture, compatibility with the surroundings, functionality and feasibility. Proposals must take into account the River Aura landscape and the heritage value of the historic park on Samppalinnanvuori hill.
Located at Itäinen Rantakatu 12, the competition site has been used for temporary purposes for decades, mainly as a parking area. Its nickname, Hämähäkkitontti, or "Spider Plot", comes from an environmental artwork resembling a spider’s web on the exposed rock face.
In addition to a hotel, the aim is to create high-quality public urban space that connects naturally with the riverfront and provides a route to Samppalinnanvuori park above the site and to Paavo Nurmi Stadium. Under the competition brief, the hotel development must also include spaces serving all city residents, such as restaurants, cafés, and cultural and event venues.
"The location of Hämähäkkitontti is exceptional. Through the competition and the subsequent development, the cultural riverfront will gain an internationally appealing hotel concept alongside Fuuga and Turku City Theatre. We want to attract ambitious, high-quality proposals that combine distinctive architecture with the special character of the surroundings," says Sini Ruohonen, Deputy Mayor for Urban Environment and Chair of the competition’s evaluation panel.
Zoning plan to be based on the winning proposal
Applications to participate in the competition must be submitted by 8 January 2027 at 15:00. The winner will be announced in summer 2027.
Following the competition, an amendment to the local detailed plan will be prepared to enable construction on the site. The plan will be developed jointly by the competition winner and the City of Turku. The aim is for the City Council to approve it in 2028.
The winner will commit to purchasing or leasing the site and delivering the development in accordance with the winning proposal. The purchase of the site and the start of construction will be possible no earlier than October 2029.
Competition schedule
Competition period: 3 November 2026-30 April 2027
- 3 November 2026 at 12:00: Publication of the competition brief.
- 1 December 2026 at 15:00: Deadline for questions about the competition.
- 15 December 2026 at 15:00: Answers to questions published by this time.
- 8 January 2027 at 15:00: Deadline for applications to participate and additional questions.
- 22 January 2027 at 15:00: Decisions on the admission of participants and answers to additional questions published by this time.
- 30 April 2027 at 14:00: Deadline for competition proposals.
- Summer 2027: Announcement of the competition winner.
The competition brief, schedule and instructions are available at turku.fi/hamahakkitontti.