Development and refurbishment of seven local centres
Wester+Elsner Architects have been entrusted by NIAM and Cavendo to develop their joint portfolio of centre properties.
It all started when a previous partner recommended NIAM and Cavendo to work with Wester+Elsner Architects. Initially, the assignment was solely about developing and renewing Haninge Centrum, but it quickly developed to include the entire portfolio of city centre properties.
‘It’s an incredibly good collaboration in the projects where the client values our initiatives, our analysis and our specific expertise,’ says Ola Larsson, architect, partner and client manager at Wester+Elsner Architects.
“We were a bit bold during the first meeting and got straight to the point by highlighting existing problems and emphasising the potential that exists in Haninge Centrum. One problem we identified early on is that an escalator at the southern end of the centre was built in the wrong direction, which stopped the entire flow of customers. So by turning the escalator 90 degrees, it opened up many more opportunities for the centre’s continued development.”
In total, the assignment involves five centres around Stockholm, one in Bålsta and one in central Gävle, where the assignment is to work on development plans on various scales, adaptations for old and new tenants and general refinement and modernisation. The total lettable area in the assignment is just over 175,000 square metres.
The redevelopment of Haninge centre has begun, new tenants such as Medfit have moved in and Clas Ohlsson has moved to new premises within the centre. In several of the other facilities, new tenants have been added in adapted premises, such as the expansive Normal, which has opened in Tumba, Bålsta, Nian and Högdalen.
Mia Berlin is a former leasing manager at Novier and one of those who worked on letting the premises. She says that the interest from the tenants has been positive. Like Ola Larsson, she finds the teamwork smooth and goal-orientated:
“The sky is the limit! The architects are very committed to renewing and improving these centres. They are great at delivering visions and proposals for alternative solutions. Moreover, they are present in all dialogues and show great flexibility in their approach”.
Centres included in the assignement:
Haninge Centrum
Tumba Centrum
Bålsta Centrum
Högdalen Centrum
Fruängen Centrum
Väsby Centrum
Gallerian Nian, Gävle