A 1930s masterpiece brought back to life on Solli plass

The building announces itself before you even step inside. Sommerro occupies what was once the headquarters of Oslo Lysverker, the city's electricity company, a monumental 1930s Art Deco structure on Solli plass in Oslo's Frogner district. Designed by architect Lars Backer, it was among Norway's most ambitious functionalist buildings when it opened, its facades adorned with original artwork by Per Krohg and Alf Rolfsen. Decades later, a meticulous restoration has transformed the landmark into a 231-room hotel that treats its heritage not as a backdrop but as a living presence. Original terrazzo floors, restored murals, and period detailing coexist with contemporary Scandinavian design throughout. The scale is rare for Oslo, yet the atmosphere never feels impersonal. Each corridor, stairwell, and public space carries a sense of craftsmanship that rewards attention.

The rooms and suites range from intimate quarters to expansive residences, many featuring tall original windows that flood the spaces with northern light. Several suites occupy distinctive corners of the building where architectural details are most pronounced. Beyond the rooms, Sommerro's public spaces unfold with unusual generosity. Ekspedisjonen, the ground-floor brasserie, draws its name and energy from the building's former service hall, offering a menu rooted in Nordic produce and the convivial rhythms of a European grand café. TAK, the rooftop restaurant and bar, provides panoramic views across Oslo's skyline and the fjord beyond, serving Japanese-inspired dishes in a space that becomes one of the city's most compelling perches at sunset. Gildevangen is a intimate cocktail bar tucked within the building, while Frogner Bakeri provides a neighborhood-facing bakery and café at street level.

The rooftop is also home to Oslo's first outdoor heated pool, open year-round and framed by views of the city and surrounding hills. Below, the wellness offering centers on a Nordic spa and bathhouse experience that draws on Scandinavian bathing traditions, with saunas, cold plunge pools, and treatment rooms designed to feel like a genuine urban retreat rather than a hotel amenity. A screening room fashioned from the building's original auditorium hosts film screenings and cultural programming, while the ballroom and event spaces have been restored to host everything from private celebrations to public gatherings, preserving the building's long tradition as a civic and cultural meeting point.

Sommerro sits at the intersection of Frogner and the city center, a neighborhood defined by tree-lined streets, independent galleries, and the proximity of Vigeland Sculpture Park. The walk to the National Museum, Aker Brygge waterfront, and the Royal Palace unfolds within minutes, placing guests at the heart of Oslo's cultural life without the congestion of the central tourist corridors. The hotel's commitment to its neighborhood is tangible, from the bakery that serves locals each morning to the rooftop that has become a genuine gathering place for the city.

What lingers after a stay at Sommerro is the feeling of a building that has found its second act without forgetting its first. The restored murals, the sweep of the original staircase, the play of light through heritage windows all carry the weight of a structure built to endure. The hotel layers comfort and contemporary life into that framework with confidence, creating a place where Oslo's past and present meet without compromise.