At the western tip of Hemnesberget, where the Ranfjord opens into majestic views and maritime serenity, lies Præstengbrygga—a historic wharf complex ready for rebirth. With deep cultural roots and unmatched natural surroundings, this site represents a rare opportunity: the creation of a regenerative hotel and cultural destination that fuses heritage, hospitality, and place-based development.
Currently for sale—with a feasibility study, architectural programming, and sales prospectus available—Præstengbrygga is primed for transformation. Its designation in the municipal area plan as a “multi-use zone” supports tourism, development, and commercial activity, setting the stage for strategic investment.
An investment in History, Hospitality and regeneration
The vision for Præstengbrygga is ambitious yet grounded: to convert the existing wharf buildings into a 50-room boutique hotel and living museum, offering high-quality amenities while preserving the site’s maritime and wartime legacy.
Project Overview
- Location: Hemnesberget, Helgeland
- Total area: Approx. 2,370 m² (plus warehouse and pier)
- Program: 50 guest rooms, restaurant and bar, full kitchen, meeting facilities, exhibition areas, administrative spaces, and outdoor zones
- Design status: Feasibility study and architectural outline completed for inspiration
- Zoning: Multi-purpose designation (tourism + commercial development)
The proposed design retains the historical fabric of the buildings while introducing new structures where needed, including a glass bridge connection between the two main volumes, creating a cohesive guest and operational experience.
A Cultural legacy ready for new life
Præstengbrygga is more than a property—it is a story waiting to be retold through architecture, hospitality, and curated experience.
Historical Significance
- Originally a hub for Northern Norway’s finest boatbuilders via the Præsteng company
- Site of the dramatic sinking of the Hurtigruten vessel D/S Nordnorge during WWII
- Reconstructed in 1949–50 and later became a pioneer location for the transition to fiberglass boatbuilding
The buildings have stood largely unused since 2014, but remain structurally sound. While upgrades are needed to meet modern standards (e.g. insulation, HVAC, sanitation), the property’s heritage value allows for regulatory flexibility in redevelopment under Norwegian building codes.
Architectural strategy: Honoring the past, enabling the future
Architecture firm Tanken Arkitektur has developed a design vision that highlights the wharf’s cultural essence. Their regenerative approach preserves the raw qualities of the existing structure while integrating new functionality for a modern hotel, with:
- A museal architectural expression celebrating the site’s boatbuilding legacy
- Adaptable spaces for exhibitions, performances, and conferences
- Carefully considered material use that reflects the site’s maritime identity
The result will be an experiential destination: a hotel that is also a story, a memory, and a community anchor.
Open air value
The outdoor areas are central to the project’s value creation. Planned uses include:
- Public boardwalks and fishing spots
- Outdoor dining and cultural events
- Educational installations on maritime heritage
These spaces will serve both guests and residents, making Præstengbrygga a public-private landmark and a natural gathering point along the Helgeland coast.
Interested in a visionary tourism venture?
We are now seeking investors and partners who believe in the long-term value of sustainable tourism, regional storytelling, and regenerative development. Præstengbrygga is not just a project—it is a vision to create meaningful experiences that connect people to place, history, and each other.
The future of Præstengbrygga starts here, contact us at Venture North today to start your tourism venture in Hemnes!
Key advantages include:
- Strong regional identity and authenticity
- Untapped tourism potential in Northern Norway’s fjord and coastal zone
- Strong political and administrative support for tourism growth
For investors, this is a moment of convergence: location, heritage, and timing align to make Præstengbrygga one of the most promising hospitality regeneration projects in Helgeland.
