In one of Sweden's oldest police stations, on Tredje Långgatan in Gothenburg's most colorful neighborhood, something completely new will soon come to life. Here, a hotel is being created where the guest's vitality is at the center, where each room carries its own story. We are already letting the experiences begin, while the construction dust swirls. Welcome to take part in a hotel project that is being done with heart, fingertip sensitivity, humility, curiosity and a hefty dose of eccentric charm. We are building a premium hotel, but in our own way.

– For us, premium is not about gold, luxury or velvet. It is about creating meaningful hotel rooms where our guests will sleep well, spaces that have a function beyond the purely aesthetic, says Helene Johansson, Wow experience manager, Hagabadet.

A historic building enters a new era 

The building on the corner of Tredje Långgatan and Nordhemsgatan was completed in 1913. The house has an exciting history. Something that not many people know is that this was Sweden's first police station where dogs were part of the operation. That is why the facade facing Tredje Långgatan is adorned with a sculpture of a policeman with a dog, take a look at it the next time you walk past. Now the former police station will be filled with new life, where history becomes the basis rather than a footnote.

Helene on the vision: creating hotels in a new way 

Being a guest with us shouldn't feel like a hotel. It should be like waking up at the home of an eccentric, cozy relative with a really good sense of interior design. Here, our guests should sleep well, feel safe and cherished, chosen. 

– Instead of hotel room, we choose the word guest room – because that's how we want it to feel.

Focus on health, sleep and a long and good life 

We are not just building a hotel, but a place for recovery and balance. The focus on good sleep includes hormone-controlled lighting where the light follows the rhythm of nature. The scent – A unique blend inspired by the stone onyx, for strength, determination and calm. The vision is to give our guests a holistic impression where every detail supports many of the body's natural needs. In addition, Police House is within bathrobe distance (well, that's it) from Hagabat, only 350 meters.

– Our new hotel is being developed to complement and enhance the overall experience of vitality and recovery that has made Hagabadet so appreciated for many years.

When you come to us in the future, it's not just a hotel you check into, it's a complete whole where the whole person will have every opportunity to feel good, find the important balance of benefit and pleasure, movement and rest that is needed for bubbling vitality and energy.

The interior designers about the house: character, details and wow feelings

Thea Foss Henriksen and Hanna Silverblad from Kanozi Architectssees the building as a living sense of inspiration: 

“Every time we step through the doors, something awakens within us. It's as if the house itself whispers about its history, which nourishes our ideas,” say Thea and Hanna. 

Brick logs, old doors and staircases are gently given new life. The traditional is given a modern interpretation, with humor, history and respect.

Renovating with care and faith in the future 

Now we are getting the house ready for a new era. We keep what can be preserved. Preferably in its old worn form. What can be restored gets its love. At the same time, the functions of the future are being built into a house that was not originally intended to be a hotel.

– There are constant challenges, but that's what makes it exciting. How do you transform the police's former large gym into inviting guest rooms? We have to think in new ways and in new ways to create something unique that also works in reality, says Helene

– It should feel wow – really, from the heart. We want to carve out what feels right, but which our future guests still don't expect.

A living journey to the opening: "Welcome in!"” 

– This house has been here for a long time and the place is touching. We notice a lot of interest. Many convey a desire to preserve and develop. Now the Police House is entering a new era and anyone who wishes will be able to keep up and follow us all the way on this reconstruction and renovation journey that has just started and with a premiere date manifested as 6/6 2027, says Helene.

We will tell you as much as we can and we will of course be looking for stories connected to the place.

A project in this class is never completely planned out at the start. That's a bit of the charm but also a bit of a nightmare. But keeping up is important and gradually the whole puzzle comes together. The very best solutions and ideas sometimes appear along the way.

– For example, we haven't quite decided what this hotel will be called, laughs Helene. But I'm calm about it. It's like being pregnant. A lot of expectant parents aren't quite ready with a name even though they're expecting a baby. Since one day it's just so obvious. I think that's how it's going to be here. 

Fact text:

Old Police Station Tredjelånggatan 18, Gothenburg 

Property: Completed in 1913 

Renovation start: Spring 2025 

Planned opening: Summer 2027 

Operating operator: Hagabadet AB

Architectural office: Kanozi Architects

Property owner: The seal