Trevarefabrikken: Bridging art, culture and community in a historical space

By Celina Tran

Hidden away in the breathtakingly beautiful town of Henningsvær, Norway, lies a unique, cultural gem. It’s rather difficult to pinpoint exactly what Trevarefabrikken is. In fact, there’s no place like it. A former carpentry factory, it has since 2017 had a new lease of life as a hotel, a concert space, a cultural centre, a pizzeria, a café and more.

A group of mountainous islands pressed up against the lulling sea, Lofoten might be best known for its beautiful landscape or natural phenomena, such as the Northern lights. In all its magnificence, it might be easy to overlook the local cultural life, or perhaps even assume these sights are all the area has to offer. Trevarefabrikken is the answer to this.

Trevarefabrikken: Bridging art, culture and community in a historical space

Photo: Max Emanuelson

More than just an old building, Trevarefabrikken is a vibrant space where musicians and creatives from all around the world come together to share both their art and their company. Beyond its role as an artistic haven, it’s also a central cultural hub for locals and visitors alike, hosting diverse ranges of cultural events, offering culinary experiences, and simply just serving as a space to come together.

“Trevarefabrikken is a cultural centre, a boutique hotel, a concert stage, a café, a restaurant, a bar, a pizzeria, a sauna. In other words, it’s a whole lot,” explains Martin Hjelle, co-founder and sales & marketing manager at Trevarefabrikken. “We’re open from February to December with a varied choice of activities, depending on season.”

Photo: Andrea Gjestvang

During the summer months, Trevarefabrikken is open seven days a week, and visitors can sleep in one of the ten hotel rooms, eat in the pizzeria, have the local Trevareøl in the bar, as well as enjoy concerts, quizzes, club nights, karaoke, and yoga, not to mention their annual music festival, Trevarefest at the end of July. In wintertime, from February through April, the venue hosts long weekends of ski touring paired with vibrant concerts, after-ski, daily saunas, and locally sourced dinners every night.

Photo: Fanny Holmström

From producing cod liver oil to community spirit

Established in the ’40s, Trevarefabrikken used to be a carpentry and cod liver oil factory. It was by chance that four friends – two sets of brothers – stumbled upon the old building in 2014, which happened to be for sale. Completely blown away by the industrial details and the glittering sea that expanded beneath it, they decided to take a leap and buy the property.

Photo: Trevarefabrikken

“We’ve slowly transformed the factory from the old, industrial space into a new vibrant scene of culture, local food and drinks, an ocean sauna, a café and of course rooms for a good night’s sleep. As the developments have taken place, we’ve tried our best to keep as much of the old charm and history as possible,” says Hjelle.

Photo: Max Emanuelson

Winter in Henningsvær

The winter season is a particularly magical time in Norway, especially somewhere like Lofoten. With snow blanks across the land and the green
and blue aurora borealis dancing in the sky above, there’s nowhere else to be.

If you are craving the wintery outdoors and adrenaline, join in from February and until Easter, when Trevarefabrikken host its Trevaretur Ski Touring weekends! “Trevaretur takes place from Wednesday to Sunday and includes guided skiing trips, locally sourced dinners every evening, sauna in the afternoon, after ski, and of course, good vibes,” Hjelle adds. With the guided tours, activities, and all meals included, it’s a perfect group activity for friends or colleagues looking to bond.