Trevarefabrikken – Industrial Heritage Reborn in Lofoten
An artisanal escape where rugged Arctic setting meets social design
From Cod-Liver Oil Factory to Cultural Beacon
Perched on the waterfront in Henningsvær, a rugged fishing village in Norway’s Lofoten archipelago, Trevarefabrikken is a rare alchemy of industrial past and cultural future. Originally built in the 1940s as a factory for cod liver oil and carpentry, the abandoned structure captured the imagination of four friends in 2014. Driven by a vision of community and creation, they bought the building and began a slow, thoughtful transformation—not into a hotel, but a social space where hospitality, art, and nature intersect.
Design That Honors the Raw and the Refined
Under the guidance of Jonathan Tuckey Design and local craftsmen, the factory’s raw concrete shell, steel skeleton, and repurposed brick were preserved and reanimated. Ground-floor guest suites are warmed with wood paneling, pale green joinery, and views of ice and fjord. Upstairs, the building comes alive as a communal hub for food, café life, a pizzeria, and wellness, including yoga and sauna—spaces that echo both factory grit and Nordic warmth.
A Living Canvas of Craft and Community
Trevarefabrikken never aimed to be a standard boutique hotel. It’s a cultural meeting place, hosting summer festivals (Trevarefest), art events, and local collaborations—using design as a bridge between travelers and community. Rooms blend handcrafted elements with soft textures, industrial echoes with domestic comfort. Every surface feels both rooted in history and alive with intention.
DNA Hotels Verdict
Trevarefabrikken is a masterclass in adaptive reuse, values-led design, and community integration. Here, hospitality doesn’t just happen—it’s curated through craft, collaboration, and context. For travelers drawn to meaning, landscape, and design with conscience, this is one of the most original and heartfelt destinations in the North. Wild, soulful, and unforgettable.
