The Mayor of Tampere, Ilmari Nurminen, participated in laying of the historic foundation stone. The first new building in the area is a 40-apartment apartment block with a focus on affordable family housing.
At the ceremony, a time capsule was embedded in the foundation stone, containing objects traditionally associated with the period, such as the Hiedanranta master plan, a model of the tramway and an object chosen by the mayor.
-Hiedanranta is the meeting point of Tampere's fascinating opposites: industrial history and sustainably built homes of the future along the tram line. In the spring, when I was elected mayor, I received this fine sheriff's star, which I understand has previously symbolised a high-ranking civil servant. I thought that the Tampere of the future could continue this tradition, so today we also packed a corresponding sheriff's star in the time capsule for the Tampere of the future and its mayor, says Mayor Nurminen.
The City of Tampere bought the old industrial area of Lielahti from Metsä Board Oyj in 2014 and has been developing the area with determination for over 10 years. In 2016, a design competition was launched for Hiedanranta and the gates were opened to the city's residents. The Hiedanranta master plan was completed in 2020 and the aim is to make the area a sustainable and smart centre for western Tampere. Achieving these ambitious goals has been supported by the company model created for the development of the area and the comprehensive development work carried out by Hiedanrannan Kehitys Oy.
Construction of the Hiedanranta area started in 2022 with the implementation of the tramway and Näsisaari. From 2025, everyone has been able to keep track of the development via tramway that runs through Hiedanranta ja Tehdas stops. The district will continue to rely heavily on public transport in the future.
Sustainability goals have been taken from plans to implementation when the Northern Quarters area, owned by Hiedanranta Development Ltd, was awarded the BREEAM Communities area certificate in spring 2025. Hiedanranta was awarded the certificate with an "Outstanding", the highest possible rating. The rating has previously been awarded to only five regions in the world.
Following on from the Northern Quarters now under construction, several development plans are pending for Hiedanranta, which will include a school for 1 500 pupils, a kindergarten and sports facilities on the edge of the Central Park. The area of the factory and Lielahti Manor will become the heart of events and experiences in Hiedanranta, where a cultural and creative hub will be created. The zoning plans for Tehdaskartanonkatu and the southern side of the factory will allow the construction of housing for more than 4 000 inhabitants and centrally located services.
-The starting of tramline and the first residential building are important milestones in the development of Hiedanranta. Next, we will continue to work to ensure that the residents of Hiedanranta have diverse and attractive services nearby, says Juha Kaivonen, Strategic Urban Development Director of the Hiedanranta Development Programme of the City of Tampere.
Hiedanranta development program
Hiedanranta is a strategic urban development project for the City of Tampere. The development program ensures the area is built according to the objectives. Hiedanranta is being developed into an internationally interesting, smart, sustainable and lively centre of the West. The develompent program is also working towards the know-how and operating models of smart and sustainable urban development
Hiedanrannan Kehitys Oy
Hiedanrannan Kehitys Oy owns the former industrial area and is in charge of its transformation into an attractive city district. The company is wholly owned by the City of Tampere and is a public limited company operating on market terms.
