Helsinki Swimming Stadium was built for the intended Helsinki Olympic 1940. Architect Jorma Järvi designed the stadium. When the war broke in November 1939 the pool and the stands had been completed. The swimming stadium was in temporary use the years 1947–1949. Helsinki got Olympics 1952, and the stadium was built to the form it is today the years 1949–1952.

The Functionalist stadium has been a model for several other outdoor swimming pools in Helsinki, i.e. Hämeenlinna Ahvenisto Swimming Stadium for 1952 Olympics and Samppalinna Stadium in Turku, completed in 1956. The white Functionalism of the stadium is one of the most iconic sports venues in Finland.