In 1882, the engineer John Didrik Stenberg established a factory on the shore by the 'Long Bridge', specialising in the manufacture of steam engines. After a few years a building known as the Stenberg Villa was erected in the vicinity. The factory offices were located downstairs and the living quarters for the director were upstairs. The handsome tower of the building was long to serve as a local landmark.

     For all we know, the villa was the first private house to have electric lighting in Helsinki in 1886. According to legend, as the lights first came on, the master of the house, Mr Stenberg, passed away. The building was to disappear from the city skyline in 1938, when a new factory building was erected on the same site. The Stenberg company no longer exists in Helsinki. It was acquired by Wärtsilä Oy, which has its headquarters in the building today.