Today marks the official opening of Viscaria Village in Kiruna – a collaboration between Viscaria Kiruna AB, Strawberry Living and MG Link comprising 132 high-quality accommodation units. The project will ensure a sufficient workforce during the construction phase to reopen the mine, which will supply Europe with copper – a crucial metal for the entire industrial transition.
When Viscaria reopens the copper mine in Kiruna, a large number of skilled construction workers and experts will be required. To meet this need, Viscaria Village has been built – a temporary, large-scale infrastructure accommodation facility situated right next to the Viscaria site, with a strong focus on quality of life and recovery.
Now that the first residents have moved in, the facility is being officially opened.
– Just look at what’s happening in Kiruna right now – this is where Sweden’s future is truly being built! Huge investments are being made to transform industry in the north, but none of this will become a reality without the people doing the work. That’s why this is undoubtedly one of the most important and exciting projects we’ve undertaken in a long time, says Petter Stordalen, owner of Strawberry.
Hotel services in the heart of the industrial sector
Viscaria Village offers accommodation facilities and services drawn directly from the hotel industry. In addition to 132 high-standard private rooms, the complex features a restaurant, a gym, communal areas and a courtyard setting designed for recreation, exercise and outdoor activities. Operations will be managed by Strawberry Living.
– We firmly believe that large-scale project accommodation cannot be purely about logistics. Many of those staying with us are far from home and working hard during an intensive construction phase. By providing service, security and genuine hospitality, we create a living environment where people actually want to be – which, ultimately, is a prerequisite for both health and safety in the workplace,” says Mattias Stengl, CEO of Strawberry Living.
A temporary solution to ease the pressure on Kiruna
For Viscaria, the establishment of Viscaria Village is a key part of its strategy to develop the mine in a responsible manner. The accommodation has been designed for the contractors and construction workers who will be working on the development of the Viscaria mine for a limited period and does not form part of the mine’s long-term workforce.
– By restarting the Viscaria mine, we can supply Europe with copper – a metal that is crucial to Europe’s electrification and climate transition. Together with Strawberry and MG Link, we are now putting people first by providing top-class accommodation. This enables us to carry out one of the region’s largest industrial investments ever, without putting pressure on Kiruna’s housing market, says Jörgen Olsson, CEO of Viscaria.
The facility has been built by MG Link using prefabricated and reusable timber modules to reduce construction time, costs and environmental impact.
– The project demonstrates the strength of modular construction. As the facility can be dismantled, moved and reused in future projects, we are creating long-term economic and environmental value without compromising on the living environment. Together with Viscaria and Strawberry, we are demonstrating that reusable architecture can be combined with a high level of comfort and security, says Magnus Kjellin, CEO of MG Link.
Facts: Viscaria Village
Accommodation capacity: 132 rooms (a total of 264 residents on a rotating 7/7 shift pattern).
Room standard: En-suite toilet, shower and fridge in every room.
Activities: Football pitch/tennis court, ski slope/ice rink, disc golf, outdoor gym and sauna.
Architect: A & D Arkitektkontor.
For further information, please contact:
Mattias Stengl
CEO Strawberry Living
+46 70 216 54 71
Oskar Kongshöj
Head of Media Relations Strawberry SE/FI
+46 70 896 97 85
