Letter of intent regarding the development of Riihimäki Voimala – Tampere-talo Group and Akun Tehdas involved in the development work

The city of Riihimäki, the event company Talo Events Oy, which is part of the Tampere-talo group, and Aku Tehdas's event technical service company Oy Aku's Factory Ltd are entering into a letter of intent for the development of Voimala. The goal is to develop Voimala, located in the immediate vicinity of Riihimäki railway station, into a unique event and cultural center. The entry into force of the agreement requires consideration and approval by the Riihimäki City Council on Tuesday, January 30, 2024.

"Riihimäki is known for its active cultural scene and its great location along the growth corridor. The transformation of the culturally historically valuable Voimala into an event and cultural center strengthens the profile even more. The letter of intent is a concrete step that makes it possible to develop not only Voimala but also the city and its attractiveness," says Riihimäki City Manager Jouni Eho.

Voimala is a red brick building complex of approximately 5 square meters in size, which serves as a landmark of the Riihimäki station area. The city has been looking for alternatives for the new use of the old power plant property. The goal is to open the cultural and event center Voimala for use in 2027, when Riihimäki is planned housing fair.

Events at the center of urban development

With the letter of intent, the parties undertake to promote the realization of the project. At the same time, the city of Riihimäki undertakes not to negotiate with other operators in the event industry.

"Riihimäki is looking for active growth and is strongly developing events. We want to be involved in developing the connection between cities and the event industry. Thanks to the close collaboration, we will be able to develop one of the most interesting event space concepts in Finland", says Tampere-talo Group CEO Paulina Ahokas.

Talo Events Oy, part of the Tampere-talo group, rents event spaces to corporate customers and concert organizers. When the project is realized, Talo Events will be responsible for organizing the restaurant services and restaurant partner of Voimala's main hall and lobby floor. Akun Tehdas's role is to act as a technical expert and event technology partner.

"The importance of culture is growing for people all the time. The location of Riihimäki Voimala serves a really large number of people. Decades of experience in the event industry and venues gives us a strong foundation for being involved in Voimala's planning and implementation," says Aku Syrjä, CEO of Akun Tehdas.

Tampere-talo Group and Akun Tehdas have a close and functional partnership, and the subsidiary Talo Events Oy is a minority shareholder of Akun Tehdas.

New Fotografiska from Voimala

A-Insinöörit is responsible for Voimala's real estate development alongside the Tampere building, Aku Tehdas and the city. Their task is to find an investor, develop a content concept and plan the resource-wise implementation of the property renovation.

"I have compared Voimala's character and possibilities to Tallinn's Fotografiska and Telliskivi areas. They show how a single building can affect the entire environment and create a new profile, activity and attraction for the development of the entire downtown area. And you don't need a lot of money to be able to do this", believes Antti Tuomela, head of the project development unit of A-Insinöörie.

More information about Voimala

News 13.9.2023: Preparing the power plant ahead with a market dialogue between project developers and investors in September.

News 7.6.2023: Voimala will hatch into an event and cultural center unique on the scale of Finland.

News 9.5.2023: Riihimäki Voimala's open doors.

News 27.2.2023: The City Council approved Voimala's letter of intent.

News 23.8.2023: Voimala is the only project in Finland that has been granted development support from the European Commission.