Our Story

After two sunny weeks in the islands, we headed out for a hike outside the picturesque small fishing village of Henningsvær. From the top of the mountain Festvåg, our new local friend pointed towards an old factory within the village, and mentioned that it was for sale.

After our last night sleeping under the midnight sun we decided to go and see the building before heading out to our journey towards home. Blown away by the industrial details, the view towards the mountains of Lofoten rising straight from the sea, and the inspiring history of the building, we collected all our savings and bought the building with ambitions to create a meeting place across cultural expressions in a small local community.

“A couple of days later we had collected all our savings and bought the factory”

2017: Bringing the 1st floor to life

With the money we earned from our outdoor bar in summer 2016, the local bank saw potential in our idea and approved a loan. We started renovating the first floor, naming the bar and restaurant Hermetikken, after the space’s history as a shrimp peelery (Hermetikken means “the cannery”). Pretty quickly, we realized we didn’t have the skills to transform 500m² of old factory and storage space alone. Luckily, a carpenter friend flew up to help, and brought another friend along. Together, we got the bar and toilets ready just in time for the 2017 summer season. What was meant to be a short visit turned into years of building, and both of them are still a part of our community.

That summer was full of new beginnings. We opened the café in what used to be a furniture shop, and turned the old wood-drying room into a kitchen. It marked the official opening of Trevarefabrikken—with a bar, café, and restaurant. We also hosted the first Trevarefest, which sold out in less than 15 minutes.

2018–2019: A hotel is born

After the summer of 2017, we began the building of the hotel, which meant the start of a big renovation of the 2nd floor. Old walls came down, decaying windows were replaced, new structures and bathrooms were built, and gradually, four unique hotel apartments emerged from the bones of the old factory.

What is now known as the Paintroom was once the office of Alf Martinsen, the carpentry manager. The Dorm served as the break room where factory workers gathered for meals and rest. The Big Loft was an upholstery workshop, and The Loft was where all the furniture made at Trevarefabrikken was painted and oiled.

By 2019, the historic Trandamperiet rooms were renovated, and wood-fired pizza became a summer staple. After the season, work began on the largest upgrade yet: a full facade renewal and the creation of eight new hotel rooms, blending modern design with the building’s industrial past. Elements of the building’s industrial past, like the original carpentry machines, were preserved and integrated into the new design — bridging Trevarefabrikken’s heritage with its evolving identity.

2020–2021: A new way of thinking

After the covid restrictions hit the entire world, we were forced to rethink and transform the concept of Trevarefabrikken. With events and gatherings on hold, we had to change our focus to other opportunities.

What had been building up to become a lively cultural venue turned into something new out of necessity: a space for remote work, a creative hub–and even a music recording studio. It wasn’t all originally a part of the original plan, but it opened new doors. Those challenging years pushed us to explore different ways of using the house — and in the process, we discovered new sides on how to use the building and the aspect of community.

2022–2025: Building a meeting point

After the challenges of lockdown, we slowly found back to our rhythm again in 2022—rewelcoming the summer crowds while slowly stretching the season into the quieter winter, spring and autumn months.

Over the following years, Trevarefabrikken has became a space where locals and travelers have crossed paths, creating a unique mix of everyday life, travel and a meeting point for shared experiences. Together with the collaborators in our small town community, we developed concepts like Trevaretur and Trevareyoga, offering people new ways to connect.

In 2025, we begin the “last big renovation” project in the building–the entire 3rd floor of the factory–with the intention of opening up new possibilities for staying, working, and gathering.

The four brothers behind Trevarefabrikken

We’re four founders and two sets of brothers from Bergen—Mats and Andreas “B” Alfsen, and Martin and Andreas Hjelle. No ties to Henningsvær or Lofoten at first, just a shared dream and a lot of youthful enthusiasm. Back in our early twenties, we were naive but eager to dive in.

Mats and Andreas Hjelle were the first to move north and begin the big restoration of the factory. Despite the lack of experience and money, our engineering backgrounds and networks helped us get started. Before starting the project, Martin and B had both worked in hospitality, gaining experience as baristas, bartenders, and waiters. We each brought something different to the table, and together, we started building what would become Trevarefabrikken.

Today, after 10 years since the beginning of the journey, it is Martin and Mats that are mostly involved in the daily running of the factory, but all four of us remain involved at a wider level. We now have a dedicated team of around 10 year-round employees, in addition to our seasonal staff members.

But beyond experience, what truly fuels Trevarefabrikken is our shared passion for cultural exchange, nature, and community—values that have kept us moving forward from the very beginning.