The building was erected in 1940 as a boiler house that serverd as a heating plant to all of the industries in Klippan and Sockerbruket. Wood chips and coal were burned in the large silos, still visible in the ceiling of the second floor. The heating plant closed down in 1957 when the factories were shut down.
Both on the inside and outside of the building you can also see traces of the 80’s and 90’s raves and graffiti artists that hung out here after the heating plant closed down.
In the beginning of the 1990’s, Röda Sten was at risk of demolition. A group of people started a campaign and a non-profit organization to save the building and transform it to a place for contemporary art and culture. The organization succeeded, and in 1996 Röda Sten opened with several exhibitions and shows. The house was renovated in 2000 to the state it is in today.
Röda Sten Konsthall continues to be run by the non-profit organisation, Röda Sten Kulturförening (Röda Sten Cultural Association), who is responsible for the development of the building. Anyone is welcome to join the organisation as a member!