Old Hiedanranta pulp mill to become cultural hub aiming for 1.2 million visitors by 2040

A planned Hiedanranta cultural centre aims to attract 1.2 million visitors a year by 2040, potentially outdrawing Särkänniemi, the local paper Tamperelainen reported. The scheme centres on converting the old pulp mill into a sprawling arts and events complex the city hopes will become a major cultural magnet.

The factory building will offer roughly 30,000 square metres of space, with about two-thirds reserved for public or publicly supported services and the remainder for private operators. Music and arts schools are expected to move in within about four years, while the full cultural quarter will be phased in to reach completion by 2040.

The city bought the 90-hectare site and buildings in 2014 for €26 million. Development is being steered through Hiedanrannan Kehitys Oy as a long-term urban growth project intended to serve an estimated 18,500 residents.

Planners envisage libraries, music, theatre, visual arts and adult education under one roof alongside cafés, shops and visitor attractions. A new building is planned specifically for visual arts, and a 500-seat event space is proposed.

Project leads say they want niche, craft-driven businesses rather than large chains, comparing the vibe to Telliskivi and describing the concept as a “small Berlin” in Lielahde.

The centre would be delivered as a rental project: the city will not fund construction but expects to be a long-term tenant. Preliminary cost estimates put annual rent for 20,000 square metres at about €5.45 million, which officials say must be balanced against rising renovation costs at existing sites. A needs assessment is the next formal step to pin down operators, space requirements and the early operating model.