Exhibition center Kaapelitehdas

Kaapelitehdas (Finnish for “the cable factory”, also known simply as Kaapeli, Swedish: Kabelfabriken) is a famous building in Salmisaari, Helsinki, near the Lauttasaari Bridge. It has been converted from its industrial use into a cultural centre that houses artists’ studios, three museums, activities and events.

Cultural centre

The building was purchased by the City of Helsinki and converted into a cultural centre, housing various private and public organisations and hosting large and small events, concerts, exhibitions, fairs and festivals. There are also studios for artists, and the rent from the studios has made the project financially viable. In 2005, the turnover was 3.5 million euros[1]. Kaapelitehdas houses three museums – the Finnish Museum of Photography, the Theatre Museum and the Hotel and Restaurant Museum. There are also galleries, dance theatres, workshops, art schools, rehearsal studios, radio stations and a popular restaurant called Hima & Sali. Kiinteistö Oy Kaapelitalo is responsible for the development, rental and maintenance of the facilities. Kiinteistö Oy Kaapelitalo is owned by the City of Helsinki. Since 1 January 2008, the company has also been managing an old gasworks in the eastern part of the city centre. The renovation and leasing of Suvilahti will take years. Kaapelitehdas is a member of the Trans Europe Halles (TEH) network of independent cultural centres in Europe, where the TEH communication and administration office was established in 2003.