FABRIKA TBILISI

ARTISTIC HUB MAGAZINE
Jun 21, 2024
3 min read

Updated: Nov 21

Transforming Abandoned Spaces into Artistic Hubs

From a Forgotten Factory to the Creative Heart of the City

In the historic centre of Tbilisi, where traditional streets meet a fast growing contemporary scene, one building stands as a clear example of renewal. Fabrika, once a Soviet era textile factory, has been reimagined as a vibrant centre for art, culture and community life. Its transformation brought new purpose not only to the former industrial site but also to the surrounding neighbourhood, which has grown into one of the most dynamic creative districts in the city.

*Fabrika Tbilisi, Photo credits: Giorgi Mamasakhlisi*

The Soviet Titan

Built in the nineteen sixties, Fabrika was once a major textile factory and an important part of the industrial landscape of Tbilisi. Its large halls housed machines that produced fabric around the clock, supported by a workforce that filled the complex with daily activity. As political and economic conditions shifted, the machines eventually fell silent and the factory was left unused.

The Era of Silence

By the nineteen eighties, the factory had closed and the building slowly began to deteriorate. Dust gathered on its windows and the steel structures showed signs of decay. For many years, Fabrika stood as a reminder of a former industrial era that had gradually faded from the city’s attention.

A New Beginning

The turning point came when a group of architects and urban visionaries recognised the potential of the abandoned site. They saw the high ceilings, concrete walls and open spaces as a foundation for a new cultural project. The transformation began in two thousand fifteen with the intention to preserve the industrial heritage while giving the building a contemporary purpose.

Today, Fabrika is filled with creative energy. The complex hosts galleries, art studios and shared workspaces. Cafés and restaurants create a welcoming social atmosphere, and the corridors are often filled with conversation and collaborative ideas. Fabrika has become a gathering place not only for local creatives but also for visitors from around the world who are drawn to its lively cultural environment.

The Artistic Hub of Fabrika

Fabrika plays an important role in the social and economic revitalisation of the neighbourhood. It demonstrates how art and creative industries can transform an urban area and improve the quality of life for the people who live and work nearby. Alongside its popularity among visitors, Fabrika offers a platform for emerging artists to develop their practice and gain exposure.

With plans to expand its educational programs and artistic spaces, Fabrika continues to grow as a centre within the international art community. Its focus on environmental and cultural sustainability reflects a commitment to preserving the industrial character of the site while creating new spaces for creative work and community engagement.

Fabrika Tbilisi, Photo credits: Giorgi Mamasakhlisi

International Impact

Fabrika has become a place that draws not only local communities but also visitors from around the world. Through international festivals and residency programs, it has established itself as an important point of connection within the global art community. Bringing together artists from different countries strengthens cultural dialogue and exchange, shaping Fabrika into a genuinely international creative hub.

Fabrika Tbilisi is a dynamic centre of creativity and innovation, continuing to shape its own story. By honouring its industrial past while embracing contemporary cultural development, it demonstrates how art can transform an urban environment and inspire the community that surrounds it.

This experience of transformation, innovation and community engagement positions Fabrika Tbilisi as an important landmark on the global art map and as a source of inspiration for initiatives around the world that seek to place art at the heart of social development and positive change.