The nearly century-old Yrjönkatu swimming hall was renovated with respect for its valuable history. Narvi Heat electric heaters were chosen for the refurbished sauna facilities of this iconic swimming hall.
In the very heart of downtown Helsinki, at Yrjönkatu 21, a swimming hall reopening took place in early 2026, garnering exceptional media attention.
This was not a brand-new facility, but rather the country’s oldest. Completed in 1928 and designed by architect Väinö Vähäkallio, the Yrjönkatu swimming hall is Finland’s first public swimming hall. The renovation of Yrjönkatu, carried out between 2024 and 2026, aimed to preserve the original atmosphere of the culturally and historically valuable building.
– The principle of the renovation was preservative and, in part, even restorative. Continuing the journey of such a historically valuable building has been a highly interesting challenge, says Kari Raimoranta from Architects NRT, the firm responsible for the renovation.
The project improved the swimming hall’s accessibility, updated outdated technology, and restored features such as the pool hall tiles, most of which are still original. The tiles were repaired by hand during the renovation, and the required replacement tiles were ordered from Finnish ceramicists.
Narvi Heat is built to last
Beyond swimming, the Yrjönkatu swimming hall has always been a place for relaxation and wellness. A legendary reputation demands sauna facilities that meet its high standards.
– Finnish swimming hall and sauna culture is quality-conscious. People know to expect a lot from a sauna, and there is no room for maintenance downtime. It would be a disaster if a sign on the door read ’sauna out of order’, states Jesse Hämäläinen, Sales Director at Narvi.
Finnish swimming hall and sauna culture is quality-conscious. People know to expect a lot from a sauna.
The electric heaters selected for the renovated saunas at the Yrjönkatu swimming hall were from the Narvi Heat commercial series. Thanks to its maximum durability, it is a secure choice for saunas in swimming halls, hotels, spas, and gyms.
– Narvi Heat is designed for large saunas and to withstand particularly demanding use. In an environment like the Yrjönkatu swimming hall, the heater is under continuous load and must withstand humidity, high temperatures, and the chemicals present in a spa environment.
Narvi Heat is designed for large saunas and to withstand particularly demanding use.
The durability of Narvi Heat heaters is ensured by the acid-resistant steel used in their construction and their extra-strong heating elements. Additionally, the heater’s control unit is an essential part of its longevity and operational reliability.
– Narvi Heat is controlled by Narvi Logi, which is designed for use in public saunas. The control unit ensures that the heater is always ready, but not on unnecessarily. It also makes sure that the heating elements inside get to rest on alternating weeks.
Yrjönkatu project was a matter of honor
For Narvi, participating in the restoration of Finland’s oldest and most legendary swimming hall was a matter of honor. Jesse Hämäläinen believes that the renovation reflected a respect for Yrjönkatu’s heritage.
– You could sense that this project was something special – almost sacred. Everyone involved recognized its exceptional significance and brought their very best expertise to the table.
You could sense that this project was something special – almost sacred.
– At Narvi, we are proud to be a part of the rich history of the Yrjönkatu swimming hall. It is a crown jewel of sorts in Finnish spa and sauna culture.
Narvi heaters are traditionally associated with home and private saunas, but Jesse Hämäläinen notes that the demand and production for professional and commercial heaters are growing strongly.
– We used to profile ourselves solely on the consumer side, but the professional side is on a strong rise, especially in export sales. We are noticing that community saunas are currently trending in places like the UK and Japan.
Explore Narvi products designed for commercial use: Sauna heaters for professional use (Narvi).
Images: Henri Vogt