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Restaurant Savoy was opened in June 1937 on the top two floors of the house built by the Ahlström family. As today, the 8th floor was to function as a restaurant and the 7th floor as private dining rooms for parties and meetings. Architects Alvar and Aino Aalto were commissioned to design the interiors. The commission came from Ahlström's CEO Harry Gullichsen and his wife Maire Gullichsen, who had recently founded furniture company Artek together with the Aaltos. The Savoy dining hall is still true to the original design and it is listed by the Helsinki City Museum.

The atmosphere of Savoy cannot be separated from the milieu. The space, which was designed as a cosy meeting place, still serves the same purpose perfectly. Bold and modern in 1937, the space feels relevant today, but has also proven its sustainability. In addition to the architecture, individual pieces of furniture and objects have stood the test of time. Many pieces considered Finnish design classics belong to the original interior: Artek's furniture and lighting pieces and the freeform glass vase designed by Alvar Aalto, which is still in Iittala's production under the name ‘Savoy vase’.


The interior of the restaurant shows the Aaltos’ characteristic design style: human scale, abundant use of wood and focus on comprehensive comfort over showy details. What could be considered an aesthetically pleasing detail, often has a practical reason or a thoughtful gesture behind it. With the designs applied to Savoy, the aim was to ensure that fresh air and natural light would flow freely, pleasing acoustics, electric lights causing no glare, and the guests’ outerwear would hang airily in the cloakroom and allow to dry in wet weather conditions.

Designed by Aino Aalto, the Artek club chair has been part of the interior since 1937.
Designed by Aino Aalto, the Artek club chair has been part of the interior since 1937.
With views over Helsinki and across the Esplanade park, our indoor terrace is open year round.
With views over Helsinki and across the Esplanade park, our indoor terrace is open year round.
The main dining hall is framed by a long sofa. Hung in a row, the original Golden Bell pendants bring a beautiful glow on the bespoke Artek tables. The free-form serving table ‘Alvar’s Table’ sits in the middle of the room.
The main dining hall is framed by a long sofa. Hung in a row, the original Golden Bell pendants bring a beautiful glow on the bespoke Artek tables. The free-form serving table ‘Alvar’s Table’ sits in the middle of the room.


Below the main restaurant, the 7th floor of Savoy is designed for private dining, business meetings and events. The floor consists of a ballroom and private meeting rooms that can be modified for various purposes depending on the occasion and the number of guests.