Historic Frenckell Paper Mill in Tampere, Finland, to Be Reborn as a Nordic Hotels & Resorts Landmark

Nordic Hotels & Resorts is set to open a new cultural landmark in Finland in 2028. The brand-new, exclusive lifestyle hotel will be housed within the historic Frenckell paper mill in Tampere, transforming an industrial site with a storied heritage into a design-forward hotel and creative meeting place.

Instantly recognizable for the deep-blue rapids running through its heart, Tampere is known for its rich cultural history. Some of the country's most celebrated writers hail from Finland's third-largest city, which also has a longstanding theatrical tradition. Now, the city is about to add a new destination for design and culture, as the old Frenckell paper mill is being reborn as a hotel.

Slated to welcome its first guests in 2028, the new hotel will be Nordic Hotels & Resorts' debut property in Tampere. Through a direct connection to Teatteri Frenckell, housed within the same building, the hotel will be woven into the cultural fabric of the city. Future guests can tailor their stays with everything from theater performances and exclusive dinners to spa treatments.

– Frenckell marks a milestone in our expansion across Finland with our first property in Tampere. This is an important step in our journey as we continue to lead the Nordic hospitality scene and show how to successfully operate thriving independent brands under one umbrella. Frenckell will set a new standard for luxury, merging hospitality and culture in genuinely trailblazing ways, Henrik Berghult, Chief Operating Officer at Nordic Hotels & Resorts’ Luxury & Lifestyle Division.

A New Hub With an Old History

In the 18th century, a small paper factory was founded alongside the Tammerkoski rapids, later taken over by Finnish printer J.C. Frenckell. The site has evolved and been rebuilt ever since, but the Frenckell factory chimney from 1870 still stands as a preserved historic monument.

At the center of the new hotel will be a 400-square-meter social lobby. Designed as the city's new hub and natural meeting place, it brings together reception, bar, lounge, co-working space, and curated boutique under one roof. By night, the space transforms into a stage for DJ sets, live music, and events.

On the culinary front, two restaurants set the tone, each with its own distinct profile: one a vibrant destination restaurant, the other a more laid-back concept. During the warmer months, social life moves outdoors to an expansive 1,400-square-meter courtyard, creating a new open-air living room in the city. Open from morning until late at night, the courtyard will welcome hotel guests, office neighbors, local residents, and visitors alike.

With health and longevity playing an increasing role in travelers' itineraries, it follows naturally that a hotel of this caliber also delivers on wellness. Frenckell will offer a formidable spa and wellness landscape—600 square meters of wellbeing, complete with a gym, saunas, and treatment rooms. Fittingly, Tampere is known as the Sauna Capital of the World, with nearly 70 public saunas across the region.

The hotel will also house 800 square meters of flexible meeting and event spaces, built for everything from creative workshops and board meetings to movie screenings and grand celebrations.

Industrial Character Brought Back to Life

The Finnish design agency Fyra has won the prestigious commission to design the hotel's 168 rooms and suites. The ambition is to create a richly characterful identity, deeply rooted in the industrial heritage of the Tammerkoski rapids. The vision is a warm, tactile experience where raw brick walls, solid materials, and artisanal details meet modern hospitality. 

The property owner, Aare Invest, shares Nordic Hotels & Resorts' ambition to create something truly exceptional for Tampere, and sees the project as a significant milestone in the long-term development of the historic Frenckell area.

– Frenckell is one of Tampere’s most remarkable and iconic buildings. From the moment we had the opportunity to start developing it, it was clear to us that this could never be an ordinary real estate development project. Our ambition is to preserve the history and soul of the building while opening it up more fully to the people of Tampere and bringing new life to this unique location. Strawberry is exactly the right partner for that vision. I believe that once completed, Frenckell will become one of Tampere’s most exciting destinations for hospitality, restaurants, culture and city life, says Marko Kuusisto, founder and CEO of Aare Invest.

The Facts

• Rooms: 168 hotel rooms and suites, each with a unique character
• Lobby & Bar: 400 sqm of lobby, co-working spaces, a bar, and a live stage
• Food & Beverage: Two restaurant concepts and a 1,400 sqm courtyard
• Spa & Wellness: Over 600 sqm equipped with a gym, saunas, and treatment rooms
• Meetings & Events: 800 sqm of flexible spaces
• Culture: Direct and seamless access to Teatteri Frenckell
• Property Owner: Aare Invest
• Operator: Nordic Hotels & Resorts
• Opening: 2028