One of the world’s largest H&M flagship stores was opened in Oslo last year, in the capital’s main street, Karl Johans gate. Five of the six storeys in a listed 20th century building has been brought back to its original purpose.
The property has been remodeled to accommodate offices and retail premises for H&M. In the first H&M flagship store in Norway, a five storey retail space is surrounding a large atrium all the way from street level up to the new glassed roof.
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One of the World’s Largest H&M Flagship Stores in Oslo
”H&M will have a major impact on the retail business in Oslo now that one of their largest stores in the world opens,” said Joachim Flaten of AVA Eiendom. Overall, H&M will lease more than 10,000 m2 of the property.
The barrel vaulted 17th century basement has also been made accessible to the public. “H&M wants to surprise and inspire our customers and we’ll do that by offering unique
shopping. That’s what this new store is about, and we are very proud to establish one of the world’s biggest flagship stores here in Norway,” said Lucas Seifert, MD of H&M Norge.
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The building is returned to its former purpose
The exposed corner will be topped with contemporary tower and roof terrace providing spectacular views of the adjacent Oslo Cathedral and the Oslo city center.
“Now the building on the city’s most famous street will be returned to its former purpose with outward-looking retail on most floors. The property has a particularly excellent location, a historic and beautiful façade, access from several sides, very high ceilings and not least good exposure opportunities,” said general manager Arne Vannebo of AVA EiendomsPartner AS.
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Historical building
The property which In recent years was the home of TV2 in Oslo has an interesting history. The University was located here in the early 1800s, The Post and Telegraph Service was headquartered here from 1868, and for many years there was a lamp shop on the corner run by Elektrisitets-Aktieselskapet Watt, which gave the building its name, Wattgården.
Client: AVA Eiendom
Contractor: Veidekke
Architect: NSW Arkitektur
One of the World’s Largest H&M Flagship Stores in Oslo, written by Tor Kjolberg