Aurinkolahti's original name was Mustalahti ("Black Bay"),[1] but for marketing reasons the decision was made to update it.

The neighbourhood was planned by the city of Helsinki as a residential area for high-income people, in order to balance the low-income housing in much of East Helsinki and boost the image of Vuosaari.

Much of the housing which has been built there to date is upscale condominiums; the housing development includes a regional fiber-optic network, 700m of swimming beach and a 200-place small-craft harbour, among other amenities.

The transit time between Vuosaari's metro station and downtown Helsinki is about 20 minutes.

Located approximately 1 km from the Vuosaari metro station, Aurinkolahti can be reached on foot, by bicycle or bus, as well as by car.