Reuterska huset
Henriksgatan 9
Year of construction: 1861-1863
The Reuter House is a historic building located in the heart of old Turku. With its angled floor plan, plastered brick façade, and metal-clad gable roof, the house has retained its timeless charm. From being a private residence for Carl Procopé, the President of Court of Appeal, and his family, to later a home for teachers and officials at the Åbo Akademi University, the house has undergone several transformations. After extensive renovations, it now stands as a modern space for external tenants, while preserving its historical heritage.
The First Owner of Reuterska huset
The house was built by the President of Court of Appeal, Carl Procopé. Procopé and his wife lived on the upper floor, while his daughter Aline Reuter and her family lived on the first floor. After Carl Procopé’s death, Aline and her husband Titus Feodor Reuter took over the property. Titus Reuter was the principal of the school Åbo Gymnasium between 1876 and 1886.
Between 1899 and 1918, the house was owned by Reuter’s heirs. During this period, the house was converted into four apartments, and plumbing and electricity was installed.
The Åbo Akademi University’s Use
The Åbo Akademi University Foundation purchased the property in 1918. In the early years, the apartments were primarily rented out to teachers and officials at the Åbo Akademi University. In 1921, the first floor was converted into laboratories for the Department of Physical Chemistry. In this building the School of Business started its operations in 1927. In 1986, the mezzanine floor was furnished with research rooms and a research hall according to Carl-Johan Berlin’s design. Over the years, the building has also housed the Department of Mathematics, Theology subjects, the Computer Centre, and the Course Library, among others.
Renovation and Current Use
Reuterska huset was vacated in 2014 due to indoor air quality issues. After extensive renovation and remodelling work, completed in 2017, Reuterska huset has been rented out to external tenants, such as Folkhälsan.
Source: Väggarna talar (2017) by Lars Berggren and Annette Landen.