Bio / presentation

Kaapelitehdas (Cable Factory) is one of the largest cultural centers in Finland, located in the Ruoholahti district of Helsinki. Originally built between 1939 and 1954 as a cable manufacturing facility, it was transformed into a cultural hub in the early 1990s. Today, it houses over 60,000 m² of studios, rehearsal rooms, galleries, museums, theatres, and offices for artists, cultural institutions, and creative enterprises. The complex includes the Finnish Museum of Photography, the Theatre Museum, and the Hotel and Restaurant Museum, as well as dance theatres, media labs, and event venues. Kaapelitehdas is managed by Kiinteistö Oy Kaapelitalo, a property company fully owned by the City of Helsinki. Its hybrid model blends public ownership with commercial rental strategies, providing affordable spaces for artists and sustainable funding for operations. The center hosts exhibitions, concerts, festivals, workshops, and community events, making it a central player in Helsinki’s cultural life and a model for adaptive reuse of industrial heritage.