Cutting-edge hotel design meets local heritage at Hotel Torni Tampere, a recent addition to the Solo Sokos chain of city hotels in Finland. Located in the heart of Tampere, the pioneering design hotel consists of two complementary parts: a 25-storey new-built tower and 140-year-old locomotive depot. The hotel’s business concept is a proud tribute to Tampere, an iconic Finnish industrial city with a rich musical and literary tradition.

 

At 88 meters, Hotel Torni was not only the tallest hotel in Finland at the time of its opening – it was also Solo Sokos’ largest investment in the 21st century.  Its concept, created by Gullstén-Inkinen Design & Architecture in cooperation with design agency Stylt Trampoli, draws from Tampere’s material and cultural landscapes: concrete and red-brick structures, eye-catching graphic patterns and references to local legends tell the story of a city commonly known as the “Manchester of Finland”. Stylt Trampoli was also responsible for the ultimate interior design of the hotel.

 

The hotel’s 300 standard rooms and suites can be found in the tower, whose interiors repeat the strong color and theme palette. Graphic patterns on the walls recall the city silhouette.

 

The original red-brick structures of the old locomotive depot have largely been left untouched and exposed to preserve the authentic industrial atmosphere of the curve-shaped space. A new favorite among Tampere’s rock lovers, Paja Bar serves honest and straightforward pub food in a rustic setting. The menus are made of old vinyl record sleeves and the walls are decorated with guitars donated to the restaurant by legendary Tampere rock bands and artists.

 

The crown jewel of Hotel Torni is Moro Sky Bar, a modern sports-themed restaurant and terrace with unmatched views over the city and the two lakes that surround it. A Wall of Heroes honors Olympic athletes born and raised in Tampere.

 

Pictures 1-5, 8-9 and 11 are copyright of Erik Nilsen Johansen. The rest are copyright of Gullstén-Inkinen Design & Architecture.