1.6.2025 | Culture

An Enticing Journey to a Creative Neighbourhood

Text Susanna Poikela
Photos Andrei Chertkov, Martynas, @glidephotos

Põhjala Factory often hosts various events, from stalls to festivals.

Põhjala Factory (Põhjalatehas) is Kopli’s own creative district, just as Telliskivi is in Kalamaja. The development of the area began around 2018. Boutiques, cafés, award-winning restaurants, and one of Tallinn’s best bakeries, Karjase Sai, have quickly appeared on its 200 meter-long pedestrian street. Creative professionals work on the upper floors of the buildings. The Finnish Institute in Estonia has also found its home in the area of the old rubber boot factory.

“Põhjala Factory is a nice place to hang out further away from the city, although in fact the area is only a 15-minute tram ride from the city centre. The area offers visitors art, culture, design, and places to eat,” says Steveli Säde, creative director of Põhjala Factory.

Põhjala Factory’s creative director and DJ, Steveli Säde, at REaD bookstore. In the background, a magnificent work of art created from books.

The arcades of Põhjala Factory host a variety of festivals and events, such as art markets, fairs, roller skating discos, and a Corgi dog festival. A few times a year, studios located in the area hold open-door days.

“Summer is going to be interesting. The coffee roaster Kokomo is moving to larger premises in the Ankru 10 building, which also houses the popular café KIOSK NO3, and the bookshop REaD. Alongside old restaurants and bars such as Botik, Ba Rara, Barbarea, and Kopli Köök, the pizzeria Puusepa Pizza, and Bastard, which is a mix of a design shop, gallery, and café, will open in June. Additionally, two art exhibitions will open in the old factory halls in July,” Steveli Säde explains.

This summer, coffee roaster KOKOMO is moving to larger premises at Ankru 10.

The area is home to unique boutique gems that you won’t find in the city centre.

The pleasant community garden of the Põhjala Factory is open to everyone. In good weather, you can take a nap in a hammock, throw yourself on the straw to enjoy the sun and the greenery of the planting troughs, feed the chickens, or admire the abundant harvest in the greenhouse. However, you should treat the harvest with respect, and leave it to the owners of the planting troughs.