New life (and art) in old buildings
These buildings have been reborn as art and cultural venues.
REPURPOSED BUILDINGS
Past meets present
In recent years many old and worn down buildings have been restored and given a new purpose.
Here are some of the coolest makeovers in Norway:
1. From granary to gallery
This grain silo from the 1930s has been transformed into one of Northern Europe's most innovative centres for art and culture.
Kunstsilo is located in Kristiansand in Southern Norway and houses a collection of over 7,500 pieces of art.
The museum is a work of art in itself and was named the world’s most beautiful museum in 2025 by the prestigious Prix Versailles awards.
2. KaviarFactory
From caviar to cutting edge, contemporary art!
Are you wondering why there are three letters missing from the building's exterior? Because the a-r-t is on the inside!
Get it?
3. Neptun Herring Oil Factory
This former herring oil factory in Vesterålen has been transformed from massive tanks into a museum and concert hall, due to the exceptional acoustics. (Don't worry, the fish smell is gone.)
4. The thinking tower
This space is for anyone who needs a respite to think, or a vantage point from which to enjoy beautiful Røst Island.
Ettertanken ('the reflection tank', a play on the double meaning of tanke as both thought and tank) was originally a water tower from 1962. It serves a new purpose thanks to Charlotte and Per Fugelli's idea.
It was purchased by Martin Otterbeck for only NOK 1, refurbished, and sold back to the local community for the same price.
Thanks to Martin Otterbeck, Ettertanken is now open to everyone.
5. Trevarefabrikken
A group of friends came across a listing for this former cod liver oil factory and lumber yard in Lofoten.
They bought it on a whim and created one of the coolest venues in the area, featuring cultural events, accommodation, and food.
Trevarefabrikken has been turned into a cool place with a restaurant and a café serving locally-sourced food and drinks. There's yoga, a seaside sauna, and even rooms providing a good night’s sleep!
From old buildings to new eateries
Enjoy delicious food in a historic space.
6. From silo to student housing
Originally for storing grain, this silo was repurposed in 2001 to house students in Oslo.
It's 53 metres tall, contains 21 circular silos with apartments, and houses up to 340 students!
7. Tank You!
This former tank in Steigen now offers unique seaside accommodation designed by Bølgeblikk Arkitekter.
Tank You is a cosy, separate unit with a living room, small bathroom, and a bedroom upstairs.
8. Sleep on a train
Spend the night above the Namsen river in Trøndelag in a sleeping carriage from the 1960s!
Relax, you won't miss your stop because this train isn't going anywhere.
9. Fishermen's cabins
Stay at a refurbished fishermen's cabin, called rorbu or sjøhus.
In the North, these tiny houses right by the sea served as housing for both locals and fishermen.
One of a kind accommodation
A night to remember.
10. Gaustabanen
This funicular was built in 1959 as part of a secret NATO facility.
It's been transformed into a popular way to reach the top of one of Norway's most beautiful mountains, Gaustatoppen in Telemark.
Old places, modern events
Explore locations that are now home to historic and cultural events.
Another circular purpose
Another circular purpose
Neptun Herring Oil Factory
Kunstsilo in Kristiansand
Ettertanken at Røst
Grünerløkka student silo in Oslo
Revamped communities
Where the future has moved into the past.
Take advantage of top offers
See our selection of trusted companies that work hard to make you happy all through your trip.
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