As you approach stop number 4, the 17000 Park Avenue Hotel, look for a tall beige building with green awnings over the windows, a distinctive feature of this landmark. The hotel is positioned prominently on a corner, with a modern, clean look and several stories high. You’ll notice a large “E” on the side of the building’s upper floors-this is part of the logo for Elite Hotels.
Now, onto the fun facts!
The Elite Park Avenue Hotel is nestled in Lorensbergsparken at Kungsportsavenyen 36-38 in Gothenburg, right next to Lorensbergsteatern, the City Library, and Götaplatsen. The original building, designed by architect Nils Einar Eriksson, was completed in 1950. The hotel's journey began back in 1944, when Gothenburg’s booming industries needed more hotel rooms for their international guests. Post-World War II travel brought even more foreign visitors to the city.
Led by city council chairman Ernst Jungen, a group of industrialists and shipowners decided to build a hotel with about 200 rooms and a restaurant. They formed a hotel company and chose a prime spot in Lorensbergsparken along Kungsportsavenyn. Thanks to the famous "Gothenburg spirit," entrepreneurs snapped up shares worth 4 million SEK. The city also invested, purchasing B-shares for 1.2 million SEK, covering the land cost that the hotel company bought from the city.
Construction began in December 1948, and by June 6, 1950, the 12-story building with 177 rooms, a reception area, and a small breakfast room was ready. The first stage cost 8 million SEK and was built by Yngve Kullenberg Byggnads AB. The iconic Lorensbergs restaurant was still operational next to the hotel, so no new restaurant was built immediately. Later expansions included a restaurant and conference facilities.
Fast forward to April 20, 1956, when the old Lorensberg restaurant closed, clearing the way for the Park Avenue Hotel expansion, which included new dining venues, additional rooms, and event spaces. This investment totaled 12 million SEK. By 1974, more conference rooms and 114 new rooms were added.
In 1979, SAS purchased the hotel for about 15 million SEK, investing a further 75 million SEK over the following years. The hotel changed hands several more times, eventually being acquired by Elite Hotels at the turn of 2004/2005.
A fun tidbit: Swedish legend Evert Taube decorated the hotel's grand ballroom with 20 wall panels depicting scenes from his songs. He stayed at the hotel, enjoying excellent food and drink for the two months it took to complete his artwork. Assisting him was artist Marianne Greenwood, who humorously described her payment as "board, lodging, and the privilege of having Evert all to herself for two months."
The Park Avenue Hotel was also Sweden's first hotel to feature en-suite bathrooms and wall-to-wall carpeting in all rooms! Now, shall we move on to our next stop?
If you're keen on discovering more about the historik, taubesalen or the kuriosa, head down to the chat section and engage with me.
