Senate Group receives Developer of the Year 2024 award
Senate Group, which is responsible for state-owned properties, has been selected as the Developer of the Year 2024. The selection criteria highlighted Senate’s role as a developer of the entire construction industry, especially in the fields of responsibility, construction management and information management. The award was made by Property Owners and Developers Rakli ry.
The selection took into account Senate’s active participation in the development of contract and operating models and common guidelines for the construction industry. In justifying the award, Rakli describes Senate as a leader in the field in putting responsibility goals into practice and promoting information management.
“The mission given to us by the Ministry of Finance is to serve as an example of economically and socially responsible sustainable operations in the real estate sector. We gratefully accept the award in recognition of the long-term work done across the Group,” says Jonni Laitto, Director of Construction Project Management at Senate Properties.
Senate Group’s development investments record high
In 2023, Senate Group invested a record amount and built premises especially for the use of security authorities. Total investments amounted to approximately €650 million, which is double the Group’s long-term average. In 2024 and 2025, investments are forecast to continue to rise significantly at an annual level. In future, construction will focus on high-security sites and investments related to the preparedness of government agencies.
“Security authorities have an exceptionally large number of projects underway due to the security situation and earlier decisions. Implementation of these projects makes economic sense in the current downturn in the construction industry. Also, central government construction supports employment and companies in the sector,” Laitto says.
At the end of 2023, Senate Group had a total of 249 ongoing construction sites across Finland. Senate Properties’ largest projects included the new Finnish Security and Intelligence Service premises, Oulu Main Police Station and Oulu Prison, the extension of Vantaa Prison, the new Eastern Uusimaa Main Police Station, the expansion and renovation of the National Museum of Finland, and the extensive renovation of the House of the Estates.
The most significant projects of Defence Properties Finland, which is responsible for the premises of the Finnish Defence Administration, were F-35 infrastructure projects and infrastructure projects for the Finnish Navy, the implementation of a shelter modernisation programme, and the modernisation of Finnish Defence Forces’ barracks under a joint plan.
Government carbon neutrality goals driving construction management projects
Senate is the first large property owner in Finland to set carbon reduction targets in numbers for construction project management. The target is an emission reduction of 25% in all newbuild construction projects of more than €2 million and a minimum carbon footprint reduction of 15% compared to conventional construction in renovation projects.
In line with these goals, Senate is also committed to zero-emission construction site, sustainable demolition and construction plastics agreements, so-called green deal agreements.
Already in the project planning stage, Senate sets goals for high energy efficiency, renewable energy production, recycled energy solutions, high material efficiency and the circular economy at construction sites.
Rakli ry has been awarding the Developer of the Year award since 2007. The selection criteria for the award emphasise exemplary operations and compliance with good construction management practices. In order to be eligible to receive the award, the developer must master the requirements of sustainable development and the application of various construction management procedures. In the selection, participation in development and training activities in the sector and good fulfilment of customer needs are also valued.
Senate Properties is Finland’s state-owned real estate expert and facilities partner. Senate works with its customers to create and maintain work environments that support their activities. Defence Properties Finland, a subsidiary of Senate Properties, is a strategic partner of the Finnish Defence Administration and responsible for defence administration properties, their maintenance and the organisation of services in all security situations.
