Bock House, The Old Town Hall
 Aleksanterinkatu
20
The oldest of the houses in the Lion Block is the one built
in 1763 by the merchant and magistrate Gustav Johan Bock.
In addition to the main wing on what is now called Aleksanterinkatu,
it had a side wing running along the intersecting Katariinankatu.
One of the annexes built on the plot in the 19th century
was a stone one opening onto Katariinankatu. The upper floor
of Bock House was originally given over to the family apartments
and salons, some of which were rented out. Distinguished visitors
to the city were also received in the imposing house. Legend
has it that Kings Gustavus III and Gustavus IV Adolf of Sweden
enjoyed the hospitality of Bock House while visiting Helsinki.
In 1801 the house became the property of the Swedish Crown.
Governor General's residence
Following the war of 1808-1809 Finland was separated from
Sweden and united with Russia as an Autonomous Grand Duchy,
remaining so until it became an independent republic in 1917.
His Imperial Majesty declared that his Grand Duchy must have
a capital worthy of its new status, and as part of the vast
plan for the new city centre, a complete facelift was ordered
for Bock House. The former occupants had by that time moved
out, and in 1808 the staff of the Russian garrison stationed
in Helsinki took up residence there. In 1816-1818 a third
floor designed by C.L. Engel was added to the house, along
with an annex complete with a banquet hall and minstrels'
gallery. The gable was smartened up with four Ionic columns
and a balcony, and the interiors were painted in striking
colours and adorned with murals and stucco ornaments. The
wings opening on to Katariinankatu were likewise made to conform
to the Neoclassical design.
 For
nearly two decades Bock House served as the official residence
for the Governor General, the Tsar's representative in Finland.
Various distinguished guests were also accommodated there,
including Tsar Alexander I, Grand Duke of Finland. It was
from the Bock House balcony that he greeted the people of
Helsinki gathering in Senate Square to pay their respects
to him. Later the house was visited by Tsar Nicholas I.
The Governor Generals having moved into their new residence
in what are now the Cabinet rooms on the South Esplanade in
1838, Bock House became Helsinki Town Hall. Its new occupants
also included the Magistrates' The changing cityscape A city
tried by war and hunger, Helsinki was also plagued by fire.
In the late 18th century houses began to be built of stone
instead of wood, and the street scene gradually changed.
 Court,
the auction rooms, and a prison. During the 19th century there
was a police station in the Katariinankatu wing, along with
facilities for male prisoners in the city gaol. The Town Council,
chaired by Senator Leo Mechelin, convened for its first session
in the assembly hall - nowadays known as the Empire Hall -
in 1875.
The Empire Hall is one of the most beautiful halls in Helsinki.
Restored in 1988, it is decorated in shades of light green.
The original stucco ornaments on the ceiling have been restored
and among the portraits on the walls is one by Albert Edelfelt
of Senator Leo Mechelin. The Magistrates' Court and City Administrative
Court occupied Bock House from 1913 to 1985. During the renovations
carried out in 1985-1988, the layout and colouring of the
interiors were restored in the spirit of Engel's plans.
The City of Helsinki nowadays uses Bock House and the Empire
Hall for official receptions and gala occasions. The house
also has meeting and reception rooms for the parties represented
on the City Council and is the home of the City Information
Office.
 Illustrations:
- Bock House (Photo Ilari Järvinen/ Museokuva) Helsinki City
Art Museum
- Magnus von Wright: A cold winter's morning in Helsinki,
1846, Helsinki City Art Museum
- The Empire Hall (Photo: Ilari Järvinen/ Museokuva) Helsinki
City Art Museum
- J.E.Lindh: C.L.Engel (Photo: Jan Alanco) Helsinki City Art
Museum
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