Beautiful facades in Stavanger

In Stavanger, there are some wonderful buildings from different time and style eras. We will attempt to give you an impression of some selected builds of particular architectural interest. 

The Acropolis of Stavanger» (1883-97)
Architect: Hartvig Sverdrup Eckhoff (buildings), Poul Holst Poulson (park)
 The neighbourhood surrounding the hill of Våland in Stavanger is a residential area. It's also, however, the location of the most impressive civic architecture in Stavanger with four key institutions, such as the Stavanger Museum, the former Stavanger Gymnastics hall, the Rogaland theatre and the former Stavanger hospital. These important buildings were designed and constructed at the turn of the century, between 1883 – 1897, by the architect Hartvig Sverdrup Eckhoff. The buildings were all made in the classical style of the period, hence why the area became known as «Acropolis of Stavanger» among the local citizens. The various buildings are monumental and elegant, with temple-like pediments, pillars and decorative elements, and illustrate the ambitions and civic pride of Stavanger at the time. The leading landscape architect in Norway at the time, Poul Holst Poulson, made the surroundings into a tranquil and parklike area with extensive use of lawns and various trees. The small creek adds to the serene atmosphere.

Hotel Victoria (1900)
Architect: Henry Bucher

Hotel Victoria was completed in 1900, and is one of the prettiest buildings in Stavanger. It has a unique waterfront location in the old harbour, highly visible for anyone coming to Stavanger by boat and has been a landmark for more than a century. Henry Bucher designed a refined and elaborate neo-renaissance building fitting the ambitions of a luxury hotel at the turn of the century. The building has an elaborate façade with patterns of red and yellow bricks, with white details, and has several classical elements such as the main entrance with slender columns. The building faces a pretty square, with several other historical buildings for trade and commerce. This used to be a busy spot for travellers and commercial activities, and fittingly the adjacent buildings were the local bank and the customs house. The hotel has also been the headquarter of a local export business, the offices of a travel agency and even the first movie theatre in Stavanger.

Tollboden (1905)
Architect: Schak August Bull
The customs building is a large waterside building situated at Skagenkaien in Stavanger harbour. This was a busy location at the beginning of the 20th century, with ships loading on and off cargo and goods from all over the world. This large complex was designed by the architect Bull in the “jugend style with medieval elements”. The rustic ground floor in grey stone gives it a solid and robust expression, and supports the rest of the building in yellow ochre. Typical of the period is the large roof, covered in grey sheet stone that was much used in Norway in this period. Bull used maroon terracotta detailing around the windows, on the cornerstones and along the roof to underline the historical references. In large, gothic letters it announces “Toldbod”, meaning customs building over the main entrance. The year of completion is also put on the façade, as well as the crest of King Haakon VII, the Norwegian monarch at the time. This beautiful building today cater to events, concerts and dining. Its location is still a welcome to ships visiting Stavanger from all over the world. The square and area by the building is much appreciated by visitors as well as the local citizens.

Stavanger cinema (1924)
Architect: Erling W. Nielsen
The Arneageren square is an intimate little square in an old part of Stavanger, and this is where you find this elegant neoclassical building. It was designed by the architect Erling Nielsen in 1924, and was built as a cinema. The red brick buidling stands on a ground floor of rustic, grey granite. White stone detailing around the windows, the roof cornice and the sentralised baluster railings gives it an elegant yet sober facade. At the top centre of the building it reads «Filmteateret». The Arneageren square is maybe the most charming and intimate space in the city centre, especially on warm summer days. Sølvberget library and cultural Centre is also located here. Next door, is the very popular Renaa Xpress, a bakery and a pizzeria.

Eilert Smith Hotel (1937)
Architect: Eilert Smith
The Eilert Smith Hotel takes it name from the architect who designed it, Mr Eilert Smith. The building was designed in the 30s, with all the esthetical elements of the modernist movement. Clean and elegant, without any excess details or embellishments. The white concrete walls have rows of windows in horizontal bands. On ground level, full sized windows allow light into what used to be the show room for agricultural equipment. Form follows function in this building, and the architecture underlines functionality and efficiency as ideals of the modern era. A tall and slender tower crowned with a clock illustrates this. Even if it is bold and modern, the curved shapes and rounded corners give it a very humane expression. The hotel comes off as timeless and contemporary even if Eilert designed it almost 80 years ago. The square and areas by the hotel are intimate with view to the fjord, and reveals the Skagen neigbourhood as a charming part of the Stavanger old town. Today, the Eilert Smith Hotel offers boutique accommodation as well as Norway ́s best dining experience at the RE-NAA, Norway ́s only two-starred Michelin restaurant.

 

>> View film of some of these areas

>> See other places of interest in terms of architecture