A Finnish students union is renovating a historic hotel and seeking a five-star luxury operator.

The HYY Group, a corporate entity owned by the Student Union of the University of Helsinki, recently purchased Helsinki’s oldest hotel – the Seurahuone building.

Work is underway to merge it with part of the neighbouring New Student House to create an expanded 240-room hotel, ahead of its opening in 2021.

Antti Kerppola, CEO of HYY Group, said: “With this acquisition, a new and internationally appealing hotel complex will be created right in the centre of Helsinki. We are currently seeking an operator for the hotel: either an international hotel chain or a Finnish company.”