Villa Hjelt Explained

Villa Hjelt
Native Name Lang:fi
Image Alt:Villa Hjelt
Building Type:Villa
Address:Tehtaankatu 32 C, 00150 Helsinki
Location City:Helsinki
Location Country:Finland
Coordinates:60.1577°N 24.9387°W
Current Tenants:Italian ambassador to Finland (since 1925)
Architect:Gustaf Estlander
Unit Count:-->

Villa Hjelt is a villa located on the Tehtaankatu street opposite Mikael Agricola Church in the Eira district in Helsinki, Finland. The building, completed in 1912, was designed by architect Gustaf Estlander (1876–1930).[1]

History

The building was commissioned by Dr. E. Roos,[1] who, however, died soon after the building was completed. At that time, the building was bought by businessman (1885–1940), who carried out alterations designed by architect Eliel Saarinen to the building, including the main staircase and living spaces.[1]

Hjelt presented villa in the 1910s as the residence of Prince Frederick Charles of Hesse, who was chosen as the King of Finland, and the current Presidential Palace would have remained for the use of the court. However, the Kingdom of Finland project never came to fruition, and in the 1920s Allan Hjelt ran into financial difficulties. He sold the villa in 1925 to the Italy, and the Italian ambassador to Finland has lived in the building since then.[2] [1] [3] [4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Italian suurlähetystö; Tehtaankatu 32 c-d. Edelfeltintie 5-7.; Helsinki. Finna.fi. 19 July 2024. fi.
  2. Web site: Suomen kuningas asuisi Eirassa. Sami. Sykkö. Helsingin Sanomat. subscription. 2 November 2019. 19 July 2024. fi.
  3. Web site: Who was Allan Hjelt. Hjelt Foundations. 19 July 2024.
  4. Web site: La Residenza d’Italia in Finlandia. Istituto Italiano di Cultura. 2015. 19 July 2024. it.