Lauri Ylönen

Senior Associate, Member of the Finnish Bar

I advise our clients in matters related to real estate transactions and other property-related arrangements. Before joining Castrén & Snellman, I worked for an international audit firm, where I also gained experience in mergers and acquisitions.

I am also specialised in environmental law, which I have practised as a trainee at another business law firm prior to graduating from the University of Helsinki.

Latest references

We advised a fund managed by Swiss Life Asset Managers Nordic in its acquisition of a logistics property in Hyvinkää from a fund managed by Savills Investment Management. In addition to advising on the transactional aspects, we also advised on the financing of the acquisition as well as in designing an appropriate international acquisition structure and addressing relevant tax implications. The property serves as the central warehouse in Finland for Ahlsell, a leading Nordic technical wholesaler, which has been leasing the property since its construction. The state-of-the-art logistics centre was originally built in 2002 and has undergone several improvement projects over the years. The latest extension, completed in 2024, added around 11,000 square meters of new storage area to the property, bringing the total lettable area to 47,000 square meters. The property has been developed with a strong emphasis on energy efficiency with on-site solar power and renewable district heating. The sustainability features of the property were also further optimised and the asset just received BREEAM Excellent certifications in both BREEAM New Construction and BREEAM In-Use.
Case published 20.1.2025
We advised eQ Community Properties Fund in its acquisition of a property portfolio comprising a health centre in Espoo, a daycare property in Vantaa, an elementary school in Helsinki, and a parking facility property in Helsinki from Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance Company. The lettable area of the first three properties is approximately 13,900 sq.m., while the parking facility offers 120 parking spaces. The portfolio’s tenants include the City of Helsinki, the City of Vantaa, the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County, and Aimo Park Oy. In connection with the transaction, Ilmarinen invested in eQ Community Properties fund as per 31 December 2024.
Case published 9.1.2025
We assisted Nrep in the development of a residential building that will be built adjacent to the Arabia Shopping Centre in north-eastern Helsinki. Our assignment included assisting in a financing arrangement for the residential building, together with corporate and real estate arrangements related to the project. This involved restructuring through share transactions and a demerger, a zoning change, a change of plot division, a joint arrangement, and a management division agreement. The new 16-storey residential building will consist of 188 Juli Living rental apartments and additional business premises on the street level. Once completed, the building will be one of the most energy-efficient residential buildings in Finland. The financing arrangement complies with Nrep’s sustainability targets. LEED Platinum certification will be applied for the project, while the previous two LEED Platinum certificates for residential buildings have been awarded to Nrep’s Herttoniemi and Friisilä sites.
Case published 28.10.2024
We advised Oivat Kaupunkikodit Ky, a fund managed by eQ, in the sale of a residential portfolio comprising four housing companies to Catella European Residential III Fund. The properties are located in central locations in Helsinki, Vantaa, Tampere and Turku and were completed between 2021 and 2022. The portfolio consists of 243 apartments and six commercial units, with a total lettable area of approximately 11,000 square meters. Furthermore, the SFDR Article 9 compliant residential portfolio will undergo significant energy efficiency improvement measures in the future, for example through new solar panel systems.
Case published 30.5.2024
We advised Oivat Kaupunkikodit Ky, a fund managed by eQ, in the sale of a residential portfolio comprising four housing companies to Sirius Capital Partners. The value of the portfolio is approximately 45 million euros. The properties are located in central locations in Helsinki, Vantaa, Tampere and Turku and were completed between 2021 and 2023. The portfolio consists of 251 apartments with a total lettable area of approximately 10,000 square meters. The properties also have a high ESG profile and are equipped with solar panels.
Case published 22.4.2024
We advised Sagax in its acquisition of a portfolio comprising four real estate companies in Oulu. The buildings on the properties managed by the real estate companies were completed between 2018 and 2023 and are leased under long-term leases to Veho, Ahlsell and Onninen. The buildings have been constructed in cooperation with the tenants and thus perfectly meet their needs.
Case published 31.5.2023
We advised Sagax in a sale and leaseback transaction whereby Sagax acquired MEKO AB’s central warehouse properties in Finland. The target of the transaction encompasses six properties consisting mainly of industrial and warehouse premises. MEKO will continue to occupy the properties by virtue of triple-net lease agreements entered into in connection with the transaction. The transaction values the properties at EUR 36.5 million on a debt-free basis.
Case published 24.5.2023
We advise Samla Capital in the construction and development of The Hotel Maria and the related financing arrangement. The Hotel Maria is a first-class luxury hotel located in southern Helsinki that will open its doors at the end of 2023. The Samla Hotels fund (SC Hotels I Ky), managed by Samla Capital, will provide the investment required for the hotel. The investment budget is around EUR 116 million. The Hotel Maria will open as a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ prestigious Legend Collection. This will be the brand’s first Legend hotel in Finland. The Hotel Maria consists of four buildings situated in a historic venue, and it aims to offer its customers an exceptional and modern luxury hotel experience.
Case published 13.1.2023