Helsinki’s Cable Factory turned Arts Hub

A walk through Kaapelitehdas, the enormous arts and cultural space in a former Nokia factory just outside the center of the Finnish capital.

In a column for the Berkshire Eagle, I wrote about ‘Kaapeli,’ after spending a day there in July. It was at the height of Finland’s summer vacation season, so the place was mostly quiet and empty. But most of the year, it has about a thousand people who work there, and receives about 800,000 visitors a year.

Looking toward the center of Helsinki (L), and yes the walkway between the north and south wings has a familiar name (R)
The view of the bay and the Gulf of Finland from the roof
Among the business tenants are a radio station (L) and a furniture showroom (R)
Other tenants include the organizers of Helsinki’s Pride festival (L), and a Ju-Jitsu studio (R)
One of the first communal projects Kaapeli’s management undertook was a system for safely cleaning brushes (L). Farbe, a painter’s studio and art supply retailer owned by a husband and wife, has been part of Kaapeli since back when it was owned by Nokia.
The ‘Merkiaapelihalli,’ (Sea Cable Hall), is one of Kaapeli’s signature halls, and is rented for events.
Mural (L), and the nearest City Bike station about a block away (R).
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Christopher Marcisz

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Writes, edits, walks the dog, jams econo.

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