A broad majority of Oslo City Council has approved the plans for a new Oslo Spektrum. The decision gives the green light for the establishment of a completely new congress and cultural arena that will make the capital a natural first choice for major international meeting places. In addition, over 1000 workplaces will be established with Oslo’s best location and views.
Oslo City Council has considered and adopted the draft plan for Sonja Henies plass 2 and the new Oslo Spektrum. The plans include a new congress and cultural arena with capacity for over 3000 people, a vibrant city floor with outward-focused activities and an office building with over 1000 workplaces located in close proximity to Norway’s largest public transport hub.
A broad majority voted in favour of the project, with an expected construction time of about 3 years. Construction is expected to start in 2024.
New extension to replace existing office building
NOVA Spektrum Foundation, which owns and operates Oslo Spektrum, is behind the plans for the new extension that will be established to replace the existing office building for the arena. At the same time, the plans entail that the current Oslo Spektrum with its main auditorium will remain, with the aim that the Spektrum shall remain open and operational throughout the construction period.
The Nordic region’s outstanding meeting place for business, culture and organizational life
NOVA Spektrum Managing Director Gunn Helen Hagen promises to establish the Nordic region’s outstanding meeting place for business, culture and organizational life further to the City Council’s decision earlier today.
– We are extremely grateful that the City Council supports our desire to establish a new congress and cultural arena right in the heart of Oslo after more than 7 exciting and intense years of developing the plans that have now been adopted. The new Oslo Spektrum will create great positive ripple effects for the entire region of the capital and make Oslo a natural first choice for a number of major meeting places and events of both national and international format. With close proximity to Norway’s largest public transport hub and within easy reach of all the delights the capital has to offer, we will contribute to generating more activity and make Oslo an even more vibrant and inclusive city. The City Council’s ‘yes’ to the project basically represents a gift package for a unified capital region and means we can continue working to further develop Oslo Spektrum to become the Nordic region’s outstanding meeting place, Hagen says.
As part of the plans for the new Oslo Spektrum, a vibrant city floor will be established with outward-focused activities from morning to evening. Moreover, the plans will entail a major boost for the area of Sonja Henies plass and Vaterland that will contribute to this part of the city becoming a place where more people will want to work and spend time with others.
Norway’s most central office premises
The City Council’s decision also means that Oslo will gain a new office building on top of Oslo Spektrum at the same height as Oslo Plaza. The new high-rise building, owned by NOVA Spektrum Foundation together with Aspelin Ramm, will provide space for over 1000 new office workplaces, and has already generated great interest among many potential tenants.
– The office block above Oslo Spektrum will be a multi-functional building of high architectural quality with fantastic views for all tenants and many attractive offerings within everything from health and wellbeing, dining to experiences and activities in the building. In addition, the building will be state-of-the-art with high environmental standards. We find that this is something many tenants want and which, in combination with plans to establish a vibrant city floor and green roof garden, make the project highly relevant for leading companies that desire a central location and future-oriented premises, says Ida Aall Gram, Managing Director of Aspelin Ramm.
Mona Aarebrot, Director of Marketing and Operations at Aspelin Ramm, says tenants that are interested in the new premises are concerned about quality and want a real ‘wow factor’ for their employees and customers.
– We are convinced that realization of these plans will make the area around Oslo Spektrum a pulsating and inclusive place with the city’s best office environment as an important element in the overall plans that the City Council has now agreed to, Aarebrot says.