The renovation of the art deco building Oslo Lysverker and the Sommerrokvarteret at Solli plass in Oslo has been underway for five years. It is Norway's most ambitious hotel project and no expense has been spared. Today, September 1, the doors of the strikingly beautiful hotel open.
– This is an investment I have made with my heart, and my heart beats with enormous force for Sommerro. I remember looking out over this building when Nordic Choice Hotels had its headquarters at Solli plass, and I immediately thought that with this building and with this neighborhood we must create new Oslo history. The house is a tribute to Norwegian design and Norwegian cultural heritage. Sommerro is much more than a hotel. In this iconic art deco building, we have taken care of every single detail, not only for the sake of overnight guests and meeting guests, but for the entire city, says Petter A. Stordalen, founder of Nordic Choice Hotels and owner of Strawberry.
Sommerrogata 1 was originally built as the headquarters of the city's electricity company, Oslo Lysverker, in 1931. The building also houses Vestkantbadet and is iconic with its mix of neoclassicism, functionalism and art deco details. Sommerro was purchased by Aspelin Ramm and Strawberry Brothers in 2017. After extensive renovation and development in collaboration with Byantikvaren in Oslo, Sommerro is ready to open on Thursday 1 September.
– Sommerro is Norway's most ambitious hotel and urban development project. Solli plass and Frognergatorna have truly come to life in recent years, and by lighting this unique architectural gem, we will create even more power in the continued development of the district as a destination, says Gunnar Bøyum, CEO of Aspelin Ramm.
Sommerro currently houses six restaurants, two bars, 231 hotel rooms and suites, meeting and event spaces and the Lysverker Scene cultural venue. The building also houses a large 1,400 square meter wellness area with state-of-the-art treatment rooms, a members' gym and the culturally listed Vestkantbadet swimming pool, which will be fully renovated on November 1. At the top of the building is the TAK Oslo restaurant, designed by Swedish star chef Frida Ronge, with year-round outdoor seating and a bar. Here will also be Oslo's first year-round rooftop pool and sauna.
– It has been five demanding years of construction in the midst of a pandemic. Finally, we can open our doors and invite neighbors, Oslo residents and travelers from all over the country and the world. The building is iconic from basement to roof, with unforgettable food and cultural experiences. Here, people are at the center. The goal has been to create a house you don't want to leave and always long to return to. We look forward to welcoming everyone, says Jarle Moen, Hotel Director at Sommerro.
Even before the doors have opened, Sommerro has reached its sales target of NOK 100 million this year, with strong demand for the building's unique meeting and event spaces, in addition to the hotel rooms. The project has received a lot of attention in travel and lifestyle media worldwide. Forbes, CNN Travel, Conde Nast Traveler and international Vogue, among others, have singled out Sommerro as one of the world's most exciting hotel openings of 2022. The building has also been nominated for Transformation Project of the Year 2022 by Oslo Urban Week.
According to the press release.
