Åhuset

Gezeliusgatan 2 
Year of construction: 1830-1831

The Åhuset (River House in English) is a modest building in Empire style that was constructed for the printer Christian Ludvig Hjelt. Since the Åbo Akademi University Foundation purchased the property in 1941, it has served both as private residences and for various academic purposes. Today, the building is rented out for office use. 

The elongated building Åhuset stands on a high stone foundation and has a hipped gable roof. The gable section facing the sphere with Turku Cathedral is made of plastered brick. The building consists of two parts: a modest plastered brick building facing the square and a wooden building along the riverbank, which originally was a residence with a lounge, chambers, and vestibules. 

Previous Owners 

Councillor Magnus Dahlström took over the property in 1906. The current part of the plot was subdivided by a Senate decision in 1907 and sold to editor Ernst von Wendt in 1908. Councillor Ernst Dahlström, Magnus’ brother, bought back the plot from the Wendt couple in 1918. Between 1921 and 1941, the property was owned by Erik and Carl Dahlström, sons of Ernst and Rosina Dahlström. In 1937, changes were made according to Erik Bryggman’s design. 
 

The Åbo Akademi University Foundation Purchases the Property 

The Åbo Akademi University Foundation purchased the property in 1941. Åhuset was converted into several apartments that were rented out to private families. Erik Bryggman designed the interior changes in 1941, which were not completed until 1957. 

A major renovation began in 1966 to make room for the Faculty of Political Science. The German Department, the Language Laboratory, the Institute for Women’s Studies, and the Work Forum have also operated in Åhuset. The building underwent a major renovation from 2010 to 2012 and is now rented out for office use. 

Source: Väggarna talar (2017) by Lars Berggren and Annette Landen.