Commercial Building at the Intersection of Nortamonkatu and Karjalankatu to Be Demolished – Bird Nesting Affects the Demolition Work
News
Demolition of the commercial building located at the intersection of Nortamonkatu and Karjalankatu began in April with interior dismantling. Full exterior demolition will start in August, which will cause changes to traffic arrangements in the area. The work site also takes into account birds nesting on the roof, which affects the progress of the demolition work. The demolition project is expected to be completed in autumn 2026.
– The building is being demolished because it has been underused, and its maintenance and renovation are no longer economically viable. The area will later be developed as part of the Rauma City Centre Vision 2050 project, which concerns the development of the entire city centre and surrounding areas, says Pekka Yli-Kauhaluoma, Operations Manager.
The building has previously been used as a commercial property, housing businesses such as Anttila and Sokos. The building came into city ownership in spring 2025 and has been vacant since autumn 2025.
Demolition Progresses Floor by Floor
Interior demolition has progressed starting from the ground floor. Shelving, remaining goods and other movable property have been removed from the building. Some lightweight partition walls have been dismantled, and currently structures containing hazardous materials as well as lightweight structures on the upper floor are being removed.
– The demolition work progresses from the bottom upwards. This ensures safe working conditions throughout the project and helps prevent unauthorised access to the building. The site is under technical surveillance throughout the work, says site manager Tomi Nieminen from Timantti-Nieminen Oy.
Bird Nesting Taken Into Account
Protected Eurasian oystercatchers and gulls are nesting on the roof of the building, which affects the demolition schedule.
– Exterior demolition will begin in August, while interior demolition will continue for the time being. During the interior works, nesting birds are taken into account by ensuring nesting peace. Noise is also avoided on the rooftop terrace level, says Yli-Kauhaluoma.
More information on the effects of the exterior demolition on traffic arrangements will be provided later as the schedule becomes more precise.
The contractor is Timantti-Nieminen Oy.
