Completed in 1938, Hattutehdas in Sörnäinen has come a long way from its origins as a hat factory to become a modern office hub. Today, the over 90-year-old red-brick landmark is home to dozens of companies and organizations representing a wide range of industries.
The story began in 1901, when two established hat manufacturers were merged: the business founded by Johan Wecksell in Turku in 1828 and the Turku hat factory established by K. G. Silfverberg in 1877. Together, they formed Silfverberg & Wecksell United Hat Factories Ltd. (Silfverbergin & Wecksellin Yhdistetyt Hattutehtaat Oy). The company expanded rapidly, acquiring several smaller factories and introducing new levels of quality and variety to Finland’s hat-making industry. Hats, ties, and other apparel crafted from felt, wool, and braided straw became a notable part of Finnish fashion history.
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Oy Silfverberg & Wecksell Ab. Hattutehdas. Sörnäisten rantatie 25 – 27 (Sundström, Eric, valokuvaaja 1926, Helsingin kaupunginmuseo)
In 1938, a six-story factory building was completed on Vilhonvuorenkatu, designed by the company’s CEO and co-owner Runar Finnilä. Finnilä was an architect known for industrial and bank buildings, and he designed Hattutehdas as a modern, multifunctional factory building with space also for other businesses.
In its final production phase, hats were manufactured in Kiikka, while the Vilhonvuori factory site continued its life as a space for entrepreneurs and various tenants from different fields.
Sörnäisten rantatie 27 – Vilhonvuorenkatu 11 (Möller, B., valokuvaaja 1966, Helsingin kaupunginmuseo)
History on a timeline
- 1828 ohan Wecksell establishes a hat-making business in Turku.
- 1877 – K. G. Silfverberg begins hat manufacturing
- 1901 The factories are merged to form Silfverberg & Wecksell United Hat Factories Ltd.
- 1938 – A six-story factory building is completed at Vilhonvuorenkatu 11, designed by Finnilä
- 1951 – A ten-story extension is built
- 1970 – Hat production comes to an end
- 1989 – A third wing is completed, and the factory is modernized into an office and commercial building
Hattutehdas today
Hattutehdas is an urban business district in Sörnäinen, where nearly a century of history provides a distinctive backdrop for today’s office culture. The raw industrial character of the factory environment and its loft-inspired atmosphere come together to create a unique setting that attracts companies from a wide range of industries as tenants.
At Hattutehdas, the workday doesn’t stay confined within office walls. The building’s sense of community continues over lunch at the on-site restaurant and in group fitness classes at Elixia. The property also hosts several dance studios, as well as yoga and Pilates, making it easy to switch into leisure mode after work.
The corner of Vilhonvuorenkatu and Sörnäisten Rantatie is a key junction in Helsinki, where the city opens up in every direction. Nearby you’ll find the vibrant districts of Kallio, Suvilahti, and Kalasatama, as well as the services of Redi. The city centre and Pasila are within walking distance, and public transport provides smooth, door-to-door connectivity.
The stage for success stories
Hattutehdas is a building where success stories have been built over decades. Today, its premises are home to companies such as Nanso Group, Vapaus, Beverage Partners, Pentagon Design, Burton, CSI Helsinki, Björn Borg Finland, and Fotonokka. Together with many other businesses, they form a multidisciplinary community that continues Hattutehdas’s long tradition as a home for innovative ideas and bold action.
Join the Hattutehdas community
Hattutehdas provides space for your company’s growth and networking. Become part of Helsinki’s urban history …and create your success story in Hattutehdas’s unique environment. Rent office space at Hattutehdas today!
Contact
You can also contact us directly:
Helena Koivu
Senior Leasing Manager
helena.koivu@colliers.com
+358 44 738 1240