Finnish government halts plans for Guggenheim Helsinki

Like Wile E. Coyote catching the Roadrunner or the Buffalo Bills winning a Super Bowl, some things are just not meant to be. Now, it seems as though construction of the Guggenheim Helsinki can be added to that list.

The idea for the museum has been divisive among Finnish citizens since it was first proposed in 2012, Curbed reports. Some believed it was a waste of money while others thought it would become a tourist destination and an economic draw. But that argument between the two sides was officially put to rest recently as the Finnish government ruled out state funding for the project.

The museum was expected to cost between $134 and $156 million to build with the government covering about $45 million of the total. With about one-third of the project's funds being eliminated in one fell swoop, the museum's chances at ever being constructed are slim. The Guggenheim Foundation has not given up hope yet, however, as it is attempting to find another way to get the money necessary for construction.

They don’t have long to figure it out, though, as the museum’s reservation for the planned 18,520-sm harborfront site will expire at the end of this year.

The current, and possibly doomed, design for the Guggenheim Helsinki comes from Moreau Kusunoki Architects, a Paris-based firm that won a competition of over 1,715 submissions for the opportunity to design the building.

Rendering courtesy of Moreau Kusunoki Architects via DesignGuggenheimHelsinki.org

Rendering courtesy of Moreau Kusunoki Architects via DesignGuggenheimHelsinki.org

Image courtesy of Moreau Kusunoki Architects via DesignGuggenheimHelsinki.org