Shopping centre Forum’s transformed courtyard in Helsinki city center attracts well-known restaurant operators – HOKU and Factory to open at Kukontori
Sponda Ltd Press release 29 October 2026, at 9.00 a.m.
Shopping centre Forum’s transformed courtyard in Helsinki city center attracts well-known restaurant operators – HOKU and Factory to open at Kukontori
Following real estate asset management company Sponda’s redevelopment of Kukontori into a green city-centre destination, HOKU and Factory will open two new restaurant concepts at the site in spring 2027. The restaurants will complement each other, bringing an Asian fusion concept inspired by Hawaiian cuisine alongside high-quality home-style food. The new openings will mark the next phase in Kukontori’s transformation into a vibrant destination for dining and socialising in Helsinki city centre. In recent years, the area has been revamped into a lush urban oasis and its restaurant offering is now set to provide an even wider choice of dining experiences.
HOKU will relocate its current restaurant from shopping centre Kamppi to Kukontori, located in the courtyard on the third floor of shopping centre Forum. The restaurant is known for its Asian fusion cuisine inspired by Hawaiian food culture, high-quality ingredients and loyal customer base. HOKU sees Kukontori’s green courtyard and its own terrace as an opportunity to take the restaurant concept to the next level.
“Kukontori combines an excellent location and an exciting urban environment in an area that is undergoing significant development. We see a great deal of potential here and believe that our new location will appeal to both our existing customers and new guests. We are particularly excited about the green courtyard and our own terrace, which will give us entirely new opportunities to develop the dining experience. We are thrilled to become part of the Kukontori story,” says Ryan Shibuya, Executive Chef and owner of HOKU.
In addition to HOKU, Factory will open at Kukontori in spring 2027. Factory is known for its freshly prepared high-quality home-style food and extensive buffet selection. The restaurant will offer lunch and dinner buffets as well as a versatile salad bar. The new Forum restaurant will become one of Factory’s key locations and marks an important step in the chain’s expansion in Helsinki city centre.T
The opening directly responds to customer demand. In a survey conducted by Sponda in the Forum block, home-style food emerged as one of the clearest wishes among office workers for the development of the area’s restaurant offering.
“In recent years, we have also been steadily expanding into shopping centres, where we can reach customers as part of their everyday routines. Forum’s Kukontori is a highly attractive location for us and an important step in our growth in Helsinki city centre. Kukontori puts us at the heart of a vibrant urban environment, close to both office workers in the area and other visitors to the city centre,” says Matti Karvonen, Managing Director of Ravintotalot Oy.
Kukontori’s transformation is now reflected in its restaurant offering
In recent years, Kukontori has evolved from a pedestrian route into a lush urban oasis inspired by the Finnish archipelago, creating an inviting place to pause, meet and spend time in the heart of Helsinki. Complementing its greenery, new seating areas, welcoming atmosphere and striking rooster-themed mural, Kukontori is now further enhancing its restaurant offering with the arrival of HOKU and Factory. Both restaurants will also open their own terraces at Kukontori, bringing additional vibrancy to the area and making it an even more attractive place to spend time.
“Our aim in developing Kukontori has been to create a welcoming, green and engaging destination in the city centre where people can meet, spend time and enjoy high-quality services. I am delighted to welcome both HOKU and Factory to Kukontori. They bring exactly the mix of quality, variety and appeal that we want to see in the area. At the same time, the growing restaurant offering supports our broader goal of making Helsinki city centre an even more vibrant, interesting and attractive destination for residents, people working in the area and tourists alike,” says Christian Hohenthal, CEO of Sponda.
Kukontori’s restaurant offering is also being strengthened by developments among its existing operators. Suburritos Fresh Mexican Kitchen will relocate from Kukontori to Forum’s third floor, while Picnic and Plants, both located adjacent to Kukontori, have recently refreshed their concepts. Together, the renewed offering and new restaurant openings will ensure Kukontori caters to lunchtime visitors, coffee drinkers and evening guests in the city centre.
Sponda Ltd
Further information:
Anita Riikonen, Brand and Communications Manager, Sponda Ltd., tel. +358 40 833 3804, anita.riikonen@sponda.fi
Ryan Shibuya, Executive Chef and owner of HOKU, ryan@hoku.fi
Matti Karvonen, Managing Director, Ravintotalot Oy, matti.karvonen@ravintolafactory.com
Sponda Ltd is one of Finland’s leading real estate asset management companies specialising in owning, managing, developing and letting commercial properties in the largest cities across the country. With a focus on customer-oriented solutions and high-quality properties, Sponda is actively developing best practice in the sector, enhancing the cityscape in a sustainable way and supporting its customers. www.sponda.fi/en.