Date: 30-01-2024 - Helsinki, Finland

In a move to revolutionize the European hospitality sector, Finnish tech-led short-stay rental brand Bob W announces its latest expansion, Bob W Kamppi, in Helsinki’s vibrant central business district, in partnership with renowned real estate investor Slättö.

Introducing and leading an entirely new category of true tech-enabled hospitality, Bob W provides a smarter and climate-neutral alternative to hotels and short-stay rentals. The company operates over 3000 serviced apartments in 10 countries and 16 cities across Europe. Each Bob W apartment incorporates its own bespoke local design and technology that give guests the Best of Both Worlds: the consistency and quality of a lifestyle hotel, coupled with the local authenticity and the amenities of a home.

In a proactive collaboration, where Bob W identified and presented the site for development to Slättö, the new Bob W Kamppi exemplifies Bob W’s dedication to quality, local design, and technological innovation. Slättö acquired this site specifically for converting it into a new Bob W. This transformation of a former office building into 99 apartments offers a mix of studios and one-bedroom units, each equipped with a kitchen. Enhancing the living experience, the property includes a co-working lounge and a rooftop terrace with a sauna, ideal for relaxation and social interactions.

The property, situated in the prime area of Kamppi, is ideally positioned for long-stay guests due to its excellent public transport connectivity and proximity to Helsinki's central station—a mere 10-minute walk away—but also benefits from its location in the heart of the Finnish music scene. Kamppi, known for its rich cultural offerings and vibrant music industry, provides a perfect backdrop for Bob W, adding a unique charm to the property.

Bob W Kamppi’s mixture of studios and one-bedroom units will have an interior concept designed by local award-winning design agency KOKO3, uniquely merging the building's 70s raw architecture with modern Finnish design. A colour palette inspired by the local neighbourhood combines with pattern and statement design pieces. Locally sourced artworks, a signature of the Bob W brand, capture Kamppi’s essence and add to the delicate graphics and rich, solid tones of the interior. Collaborations from renowned contemporary Finnish designers Vaarni & Basta, showcasing a mix of nostalgia and modernity will also feature in the apartments, coworking space as well as the rooftop lounge and sauna facilities overlooking the city.

Avarrus Architects, a distinguished firm recognized for their work in sustainable architecture, bring their expertise to the Bob W Kamppi project. In 2023, Avarrus was shortlisted for Finland’s highest architectural award, underscoring their capability and innovative approach. Their vision for Bob W Kamppi is to preserve the building's original 1970s essence, while significantly elevating its sustainability and functionality. The refurbishment plan includes eco-friendly upgrades such as advanced HVAC systems, energy-efficient window replacements, roof repairs, a renovated parking deck, and the integration of solar energy solutions, all aligning to achieve LEED Gold certification.

Emilia Malmi, CEO Northern Europe at Bob W, expresses her enthusiasm about the project: "Bob W's expansion into Helsinki's Kamppi district, renowned for its cultural vibrancy and abundance of services, signifies a major advancement. Our property, with its unique architecture and prime location, demonstrates our unwavering commitment to delivering 5-star hospitality experience to our guests. By strengthening our partnership with Slättö, we are not only enhancing our presence in the Nordic region but also reinforcing our status as the leader in our market."

Erik Möller, Head of Hotels at Slättö, comments on the market dynamics: "Helsinki city center is a market we strongly believe in. There is a shortage of high-end modern hotel apartments there and Bob W Kamppi will be one of the most central alternatives for both business and leisure. The innovative, digital platform from Bob W allows to focus on both short and long stay, driving high utilization and efficient operations”. 

“We are very pleased to add another property to our partnership with Bob W,” says Ilkka Salminen, Slättö’s Country Head in Finland. “With two assets in the central business district of Helsinki, Slättö’s portfolio is an attractive investment proposition.”

Mari Relander, Creative Director and Partner at Koko3, shares the essence of the Bob W. Kamppi project: 'At Bob W. Kamppi, we're blending 70s charm with modern sophistication. This project is more than a building; it's a celebration of history and contemporary Finnish design, offering a unique experience in the heart of Helsinki’.

Anne Landsdorff, Architect SAFA, and Pauli Siponen, Partner at Avarrus Architects, jointly express their enthusiasm: 'We are immensely proud to bring our sustainable architectural vision to the Bob W Kamppi project. Our aim is to seamlessly integrate the building's historic charm with cutting-edge, environmentally responsible designs, paving the way for a new era in urban redevelopment.'

Renovations for Bob W Kamppi are set to begin in 2024, with the opening scheduled for 2025.

Bob W is actively expanding, seeking partnerships aligned with their quality and environmental standards to bring their unique blend of local authenticity and modern design to more European locations. For partnership inquiries, please visit https://bobw.co/lease-with-bob.

About Bob W:

Bob W is a tech-powered short-term rental operator that has built a reputation on elevating the hospitality experience by offering a smarter alternative to mainstream hotels and conventional short-term rentals. Sustainably operated, design-led apartments offer the consistent quality of a hotel alongside the utility and host-driven experience of a short-term rental apartment.

Backed by Europe's top venture capitalists, family offices and entrepreneurs including ByFounders, IDC Ventures, Elevator Ventures, Verve Ventures, NREP, Tesi, Wolt co-founder Miki Kuusi and Supercell co-founder Ilkka Paananen, Bob W is building the technology To give every guest an authentic 5-star hospitality experience, at scale, while leading the world’s transition to sustainable hospitality. Today, the tech company’s portfolio consists of more than 3,000 serviced apartments across Europe, with further rapid expansion already secured in existing and new markets. 

Check out this 60-second intro video or visit the website for Bob W press pack, images, assets, and more.

About Slättö:

Slättö is a private equity real estate investor with a Nordic focus. The Slättö funds collectively manage assets of EUR +2bn. Since inception in 2013, the firm has executed +200 transactions with a total transaction value of EUR +3.5bn. Slättö.se

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Selected Media Coverage:

• Hospitalitynet - Bob W Kamppi
• HNR Hotel News - Bob W Expands In Helsinki with Bob W Kamppi Announced for 2025