When the Hakasalmi Villa was built on the shore of Töölö Bay on the site of a horse paddock owned by the city, its windows and terrace offered a clear view of the sea. The villa was built on land leased from the city by the stepfather of Aurora Karamzin, Carl Walleen. The building was designed by the architect E.B. Lohrmann, and its construction was completed by 1846. A sumptuous English garden surrounded the villa. After Walleen's death in 1867 the villa was claimed by Aurora Karamzin. She occupied the villa permanently from 1875. When the lease for the land ran out in 1896, the buildings of the villa were purchased by the city of Helsinki. Aurora continued to live in the villa until her death in 1902.

      The fate of the Hakasalmi Villa was in the balance during the planning of the Töölö area in the 1920's. The head of the city museum, A.W. Rancken, spoke for the preservation of the villa, writing:

     "We must, however, carefully consider the arguments for preserving the memories of our city, and the counterarguments that speak in favour of their obliteration. The Hakasalmi Villa is after all one of our few truly historical mementos, and at the same time a valuable and beautiful architectural creation."