Iso Omena
A major shopping and civic-services centre in Matinkylä, Espoo, Finland.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Iso Omena, whose Finnish name means “Big Apple,” is a large shopping and mixed-use centre in the Matinkylä district of Espoo, Finland. It opened on 24 September 2001 and was conceived as more than a conventional retail complex: its planning sought to reflect local residents’ needs by combining shops, restaurants, municipal services, private services, entertainment, offices, apartments and transport connections in one urban destination. Its motto, “Like a small city,” describes this broad service-oriented role. The centre was designed by architect Mauri Tommila. Its construction was reported to have cost approximately 500 million Finnish markka and involved financing from the City of Espoo, the Finnish Housing Foundation, Aleksia and Destia. At opening, Iso Omena was the second-largest shopping centre in Finland. It subsequently underwent two major extensions during 2016–2017, substantially increasing its commercial and service capacity. Iso Omena contains more than 200 businesses and has approximately 108,700 square metres of lettable shopping-centre space. The wider complex includes offices, senior housing, several underground parking levels and a separate parking building. Reported facilities include about 2,600 parking spaces and roughly 1,100 jobs. Major anchors and occupiers have included K-Citymarket, Prisma, Kirjasto Omena, Aleksi 13 and Stadium, alongside restaurants and a cinema. A defining characteristic is the concentration of public and community services within the centre. These have included a library, Espoo’s common service centre, health and dental services, a Kela service point, employment services, ticket services and a chapel. The Matinkylä metro station and local bus terminal are located directly beneath the southern part of the complex, while the centre is also accessible by regional buses, car, bicycle and on foot. This integration of retail, public administration and transport makes Iso Omena an important local hub rather than simply a destination for shopping. The centre has ranked among Finland’s largest shopping centres. It was reported as the country’s third-largest by area, sales and visitor numbers in 2018. In 2023 it ranked third by sales and fourth by visitors, and the same positions were reported for 2024. Reference material has also described annual sales of approximately €390 million and around 17 million annual visitors; these figures should be treated as time-specific operating estimates rather than guaranteed current results. Iso Omena is owned by Citycon and remains an active commercial and civic-services complex.
History
Iso Omena was developed in Matinkylä, Espoo, as a large mixed-use centre intended to serve both commercial and civic functions. Its name is Finnish for “Big Apple,” referencing New York City’s nickname. The project’s planning placed emphasis on responding to the needs of Espoo residents, which helped distinguish it from a purely retail-oriented shopping mall. The complex was designed by architect Mauri Tommila and financed through a combination of public and institutional participation, including the City of Espoo, the Finnish Housing Foundation, Aleksia and Destia. Construction was reported to have cost approximately 500 million Finnish markka. Iso Omena opened on 24 September 2001. At that time it was the second-largest shopping centre in Finland. The original complex combined several floors of commercial premises with underground parking, apartments and service facilities. Its “small city” concept was expressed through the inclusion of everyday public services alongside retailers, restaurants and entertainment businesses. The centre’s retail mix developed around major grocery anchors and national chains. In February 2004, after the merger of the Helsingin Osuuskauppa and Elanto cooperatives, the existing Maxi supermarket was changed to a Prisma. This made Iso Omena the location of the first Prisma supermarket in Espoo. Over time, the centre also accommodated fashion, sporting-goods, restaurant and leisure tenants, as well as a library, cinema and public administration facilities. Two major extension projects were completed during 2016–2017. These enlarged the complex and strengthened its role as a regional shopping and services destination. The expanded development included a shopping centre with approximately 108,700 square metres of lettable space, offices, senior apartments and extensive parking. The broader built area was reported at approximately 166,000 square metres, including around 8,000 square metres of offices and 7,000 square metres of senior housing with about 95 apartments. Transport integration has been central to Iso Omena’s later identity. The Matinkylä metro station and local bus terminal are located beneath the southern section of the centre, linking it to Helsinki’s metropolitan transport network. Regional buses also serve routes along or near Länsiväylä and Piispansilta. The centre can additionally be reached by car, bicycle and on foot, with approximately 2,600 parking spaces across its underground and separate parking facilities. Iso Omena’s service offer extends beyond retail. Reported facilities have included Kirjasto Omena library, Espoo’s common service centre, Kela and employment-office services, ticketing, medical and dental care, a chapel and a cinema. This combination has made the centre a local civic hub as well as a commercial property. Reference material describes approximately 1,100 jobs, annual sales of about €390 million and approximately 17 million visitors per year, although the relevant reporting periods and methodology should be checked before treating these as current figures. In 2018, Iso Omena was reported as Finland’s third-largest shopping centre by area, total sales and visitors. More recent rankings placed it third by sales and fourth by visitors in both 2023 and 2024. The complex is owned by Citycon and remains active. Its history also includes a serious 2023 security incident in which a woman died after being removed from the centre. Police completed their investigation in August 2023, and prosecutors announced in September that six security guards had been charged with manslaughter. The case became a significant public controversy associated with the centre.
- 2024
Continues to rank among Finland’s largest centres
[1]Iso Omena was reported to hold third place by sales and fourth place by visitors in the 2023 and 2024 rankings.
- 2023
Security-related death and criminal charges
[1]A woman died following a security intervention at the centre. Six guards were later charged with manslaughter.
- 2018
Ranks third among Finnish shopping centres
[1]Iso Omena was reported as third in Finland by area, total sales and visitor numbers.
- 2017
Major extensions completed
[1]The completed extensions increased the centre’s commercial and civic-service capacity and reinforced its mixed-use format.
- 2016
Major expansion programme begins
[1]Iso Omena entered a two-phase expansion programme that continued through 2017.
- 2004
Maxi is converted into Prisma
[1]After the HOK and Elanto cooperative merger, the Maxi supermarket at Iso Omena became a Prisma, the first Prisma location in Espoo.
- 2001
Iso Omena opens
[1]The shopping centre opened in Matinkylä, Espoo, on 24 September 2001 and was then the second-largest shopping centre in Finland.
Products and positioning
A city-like, transit-connected shopping and services centre combining retail, dining, entertainment, public administration and community facilities.
Retail · 2001
Shopping centre retail mix
Iso Omena hosts more than 200 businesses across grocery, fashion, sporting goods, restaurants, consumer services and other retail categories. Major named occupiers include K-Citymarket, Prisma, Aleksi 13 and Stadium. The centre’s retail offer is designed for both routine household shopping and destination visits.
Civic and social services · 2001
Public and community services
A distinctive part of Iso Omena is its concentration of public and community services. Reported facilities include Kirjasto Omena library, Espoo’s common service centre, Kela and employment services, ticket services, medical and dental care, and a chapel. These functions support the centre’s positioning as a small urban hub.
Transport-connected services · 2017
Transport interchange
The Matinkylä metro station and local bus terminal are directly connected to the southern part of Iso Omena. Bus routes serving Länsiväylä and Piispansilta provide additional access, while the centre also supports car, bicycle and pedestrian arrivals.
Leisure and hospitality · 2001
Entertainment and dining
Restaurants, cafés and a cinema complement Iso Omena’s shopping and public-service functions. Together with the library and other community facilities, these uses encourage longer visits and give the centre a broader leisure role than a conventional retail-only property.
Controversies
2023
Death after security intervention
In early 2023, a 35-year-old woman died after security guards escorted her from Iso Omena. Police completed their investigation in August and stated that choking had not been identified as the cause of death. On 22 September 2023, prosecutors announced manslaughter charges against six guards, who denied criminal guilt. The incident prompted scrutiny of security practices and became a major controversy connected with the centre.
Brand decisions
2016
Expand the mixed-use centreStrategyBackground
Iso Omena’s original development had become an established regional retail and services destination, creating a basis for additional capacity.
Action taken
Two major extension phases were undertaken during 2016–2017, adding commercial and service space and improving the centre’s integrated urban role.
Aftermath
The expanded complex incorporated extensive retail space, offices, senior housing and direct metro and bus access.
2004
Replace Maxi with PrismaStrategyBackground
The merger of the Helsingin Osuuskauppa and Elanto cooperatives affected the supermarket operation at Iso Omena.
Action taken
The Maxi supermarket was converted into a Prisma store, creating the first Prisma location in Espoo.
Aftermath
The change strengthened the centre’s grocery-anchor offer and aligned the location with the Prisma chain.
Recent events
- 2024
Iso Omena ranks among Finland’s leading shopping centres[1]
Other
Iso Omena was reported to rank third nationally by sales and fourth by visitors in 2023 and 2024, maintaining its position as one of Finland’s largest shopping destinations.
- 2017
Iso Omena undergoes major extensions[1]
Other
Two major extension phases carried out during 2016–2017 expanded the centre’s commercial, service and mixed-use facilities.
- 2004
Prisma replaces Maxi at Iso Omena[1]
Other
Following the merger of the Helsingin Osuuskauppa and Elanto cooperatives, the Maxi supermarket at Iso Omena was converted into a Prisma, becoming the first Prisma store in Espoo.
- 2001
Iso Omena opens in Matinkylä, Espoo[1]
Other
Iso Omena opened on 24 September 2001 as one of Finland’s largest shopping centres, combining retail premises with services, parking and residential elements.
Sources2 sources
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