[1][6] There are six storeys above ground, with the top floor being slightly recessed to form a roof terrace overlooking the harbour and market square.

[2] The building is located in a prominent position by the city's central South Harbour (Finnish: Eteläsatama) and Market Square, adjacent to the Presidential Palace.

[5] Also construction of the building originally required the demolition of the palace-like Norrmén house designed by Theodor Höijer, which was criticised right from the start.

[8] In 2010, after many years of legal and political wrangling, the building was granted protected status, as originally proposed by Docomomo, on the basis of its architectural merits and the significance of Aalto's heritage.

[1][9] In 2019, it was announced that Stora Enso would be vacating the building and moving to a new headquarters to be built on an adjacent plot as part of a wider redevelopment of the Katajanokka quay,[6] and due to be completed in 2023.