The Tretorn factory, or the Helsingborg Rubber Factory, as it was also known, was the largest workplace in the city for much of the twentieth century. The products manufactured here included galoshes, wellington boots, rubber gloves, bathing caps, bicycle tyres, and the internationally renowned Tretorn tennis balls.

Owned and managed by Wihlborgs since 2019, the property comprises approximately 51,000 square metres - one quarter of which is used by Lund University. Other spaces house largely modern office premises, but also several restaurants as well. The partnership with Mindpark, the co-working company, makes a stimulating work environment and numerous events and networking meetings available.

In 2022, the property was renamed and given a new identity that reflects its history while providing a fresh start: Fabriken1891.

Developments are in full swing, and not only within the walls of Fabriken1891. With its content and location close to Helsingborg C and Oceanhamnen, the building is part of the Helsingborg Innovation District - a new city district to promote sustainable growth in Helsingborg and its surroundings. 

Over the last six months, several existing tenants have expanded their leases: an additional 1,130 square metres for the outsourcing company Concentrix, 440 square metres for the logistics company Bring and their account centre, and 940 square metres for Länsförsäkringar Bank. Wihlborgs has also signed leases with new tenants: the Visma IT group for 1,250 square metres and Arbetsförmedlingen for 2,700 square metres. The majority of leases have move-in scheduled in 2025. Over the past few years, IKEA IT has gradually vacated its premises in the building, and other businesses and operations are now leaving their mark on the building's make-up.

"Our ambition is to create centrally located tech hubs for our employees with the right technical preconditions and inspiring environments in strategic locations around Sweden. We believe that we have found the right home in Fabriken1891, now that we are investing in a new office in Helsingborg, and we are looking forward to moving in at the end of 2025," says Malin Carlson, CEO of Visma Tech AB.

"Production, development and innovation are still part of Fabriken1891, just as before, but in a different form. I think it is quite exciting to see how this well-known Helsingborg property is retaining its character, but being filled with new content for today's needs. It's not just a building, it's also a development centre and a community. It's gratifying that both new and existing tenants recognise the value," says Ulrika Hallengren, CEO of Wihlborgs.

Wihlborgs Fastigheter AB (publ)