Our New Year’s Resolution

It is always tough to start the New Year. After making positive (but hard-to-keep) New Year’s resolutions, promising to transform ourselves into super-humans through better habits, we need to remember the things about ourselves which are worth saving! Frogner House Apartments have decided to bring that forward in our company’s New Year’s resolutions: We will be true to ourselves.

(Foto: FHA)

With all our plans and grand ideas for the future, we will maintain the homely and personal atmosphere. We will ensure that our guests are comfortable and feel at ease while living with us. We will respect their private life and personal space, and at the same time offer friendly care should they need our assistance – or just a conversation.

We will work to ensure that the communication and booking process is as simple and quick as possible. We hope to be so familiar with you that we know what you need, even without you having to ask. Considering every contact person as a friend or family member, rather than conforming to a “strictly business” relationship, means that we care about your needs and your happiness. Taking care of your surroundings, for example at work, the same way you would if you were at home, is a sure way to achieve a good atmosphere!

(Foto: FHA)

With care, friendliness, smiles and positivity, we look forward to each day knowing we can do something nice for someone else. It may sound selfish, but doing nice things for others is the easiest way of making yourself feel good, which is a well known fact at Frogner House Apartments. Just offering to get someone a coffee while you’re on your way to get your own, may cause a smile and warm a heart. We make an effort to create smiles every day. Spread the positivity!

Frogner House Apartments mission, “Home Whern You’re Not”, captures our chore value. This is the essence of our company, an ethic we live by, and what we believe will create the best possible living experience for travelers in Oslo.

Expanding your rental opportunities!

Frogner House Apartments have incorporated two new addresses to our portfolio. These fully renovated apartments with classic interior design provide ready homes for happy residents!



Thereses gate 20

Spacious and convenient for travellers and families who will be staying a little longer: Leases are 1-3 years!

All the apartments are newly renovated and modernized in light, delicate colours, but still carry the original and well-preserved details like stucco and rosette, exposed wooden beams on the top floor, etc. They have 1-3 bedrooms, living room with sofa and dining table, flat screen TV, internet and a homely atmosphere. Kitchen, bathroom and all furnishings are brand new and fully equipped. It’s clean, inviting, and ready to use!



Our ambition of bringing the exclusive and comfortable Frogner ambiance to all our buildings has really been achieved in Therese Gate 20! Situated opposite the tram and bus stops Stensgata and Bislett, residents have easy access to the rest of the city. Grocery store, fitness centre, restaurants, cafés and other shops are in the immediate vicinity.

These apartments all fall under the concept ‘serviced apartments’, and offer tenants the use of our maintenance services on request.

Odinsgate 16



This building is an extension of our flagship Skovveien 8, renovated using the customized design to create a luxurious, yet homely feel. The apartments here are larger: One or two bedrooms, living room and a separate, fully equipped kitchen with both dishwasher and washing machine. Flat screen TV and Wi-Fi are complimentary, making this a comfortable, functional and homely alternative to hotel living!

Odinsgate 16 is at the heart of Frogner, with the tram stop Elisenberg and bus stop Frogner kirke close by. Some of the city’s best restaurants are in the neighbourhood, as well as bank, post office, grocery stores and different speciality boutiques. The reception in Skovveien 8 is only a 5 minute walk away, making Odisngate 16 an accessible address for both short and long term rent. Even with the added facilities in each apartment to facilitate the residents’ independence, the service level of this building follows suit from Ullevålsveien 1 and Arbinsgate 3 and is available on request. In other words: A familiar concept, expanded!

The entire staff of Frogner House Apartments is looking forward to being of service, and warmly welcoming new residents to our newest homes!


A cold season coloured warm!

Cold, cloudy and grey – that’s the typical Norwegian fall weather. But don’t let it get you down! As we say in Norway: There are seven kinds of weather in the autumn night...

Here are 7 things you can do in one night (now that the nights are stretching longer and longer):

1. Bake!
   Nothing beats fresh cinnamon buns straight from the oven…
2. Go for a walk
   Explore the Bygdøy area or stroll along the Akerselva river and enjoy the scenery!
3. Light a scented candle
   Take some time to think of happy memories which make you smile.
4. Read about something that interests you
   …and try to see it in a different light!
5. Make a new friend
   Ask someone you don’t normally hang out with to join you for a casual evening of games – how about some cards or a mind wrecking game of chess?
6. Go see a movie at the theatre
   Premiering today are among others the drama "One day" and comedy "Tower Heist.
7. Pay someone a compliment
   Let someone know why they amaze you! It will make them feel good, and yourself too!

How strange that the chilly fall brings out such warm colours in nature! The fiery leaves of yellow and red, the earthly browns of tree trunks and soil and the indescribable beauty of the peachy twilight horizon...

More homes to come!

As we already announced with our Dusty Days campaign and previous blogs (not a rumour and clean canvas and bright ideas), Skovveien 8 is undergoing renovations, and the much anticipated re-launch of this flagship building is drawing nearer. But have you realized that we are also adding 2 completely new buildings to our portfolio?

Odinsgate 16 is opening in September already, with newly renovated, traditional Frogner apartments. These hotel apartments are slightly bigger than what we’ve had before, with up to 3 bedrooms! It’s perfect for those who like to work from home, those travelling with their family or for those who find it more practical to share with a colleague or friend. These apartments fall in under the same concept as Ullevålsveien 1 and Arbinsgate 3, although their design resembles more the new style of the soon re-born Skovveien 8 with the classic signature details of original Frogner design. Very chic!

In addition, we are working on Theresesgate 20, which will also open this fall. This is a new concept under the Frogner House umbrella, created to satisfy a growing market demand of those staying in Oslo for about a year or longer. These are serviced apartments, meaning that they will also be able to contact our reception and maintenance service when necessary. It provides expatriates the option to rent an apartment on a regular lease, and at the same time offering the reception and maintenance services necessary to allow them the feeling of safety and support when residing in a potentially new and foreign place long term. These apartments are modern; however we have preserved the original plasterwork details and other charming traits which truly encourage the ambiance of our vision “home when you’re not”.

Sometimes when highly anticipated events take place, other happenings tend to sneak by unnoticed. So take notice: We are expanding our product line and growing our business. Yet in spite of fast development, we will always retain our focus to make sure our guests feel at home!

A minute of deafening silence

“I love you”

“I care about you”

“I am there for you”

“Take my hand, I will stay with you”

“I will listen to you and support you”

“Let me give you a hug and keep you safe”

“Let’s lean on each other and share our grief”

“Together we can get through this”

Yet sometimes words are just not enough. This afternoon, at 12:00, we will take 1 minute together to say all these things without speaking, a moment of silence to honour those who lost their lives, to support those who were injured, to keep safe those who are scared and to share the burden of grief with those who need it. We will hold hands and lean on each other, and our togetherness will lift the threat of these terrors. We care about one other, love one other and will be there for one other. This is how and why we are so strong, and so free.

At 18:00 this evening, there will be a gathering at ‘Rådhusplassen’ (The City Hall square) for peace and to honour those affected by these terrors. Bring a white or red rose, and walk with the people to ‘Youngstorget’ to show your support.

This event is organized partly via facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/event.php?eid=235053733194180

With all our hearts, we give thanks to our guests for your amazing strength and calmness through these past days, to the international community for your concern and support world wide, to all of Scandinavia for your participation in this silent call of love, and for anyone helping to promote peace and democracy.

A clean canvas and bright ideas!

Skovveien 8 is now totally empty, all of the old furniture is taken out and inside we have sixty rooms to renovate, fill up with new and homely inventory, great colours and to make a home for you.

The job of renovating in it self is not easy, to do sixty rooms in sixty days and, to make a real homely apartment for our guest is even harder. Still we know that we can do this, we all believe in our self at Frogner House Apartments, and we know that we can create a home when you’re not.

We are filling up the building with great workers, we let our creativity do it’s best and we take all of the good ideas down to writing. Just after to weeks we are starting to see the great changing in the building. Skovveien 8 are being shaped as we have planed and hoped. All of this gives us great hope for the weeks to come. So we are still going strong and keeping up the great work. We are so exited to see the finished Skovveien 8 and most of all we are looking forward to wishing you welcome to a great home!

What to do on a rainy day?

When it rains I love going to the cinema! My favorite cinema in Oslo is definitely Gimle cinema. It`s old fashioned and very charming. You can even buy a glass of wine or two and take it with you into the movie theatre.

Gimle cinema is placed at Bygdøy Alle 39, just 5 minutes walking from Skovveien 8, and has since the opening in 1937 been well known to show artistic and quality movies. Right now, it is Woody Allen`s new romantic comedy A midnight in Paris. The film was premiering at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival in May, and is fable-like, with a sense of “when you wish upon a star” quality. I would say this is his best and most enjoyable work in years!

Gimle cinema also broadcasts Opera from the Met in New York.

If it`s raining, or if you just want to be entertained, I would suggest you visit Gimle cinema. It`s absolutely worth trying!

Check out: http://www.oslokino.no/kinofakta/gimle/
And the weather forecast: http://www.yr.no/place/Norway/Oslo/Oslo/Oslo/

Kolonihagen - Frognerveien 33

Just behind our main office at Skovveien 8 there is a fantastic restaurant/coffee/ eco-shop named Kolonihagen. The concept is genuine and well thought out: Their vision is to be an organic diverse concept where you can have coffee, enjoy a delicious lunch, eat a nice dinner and have the ability to purchase your organic vegetables and herbs to take home. The suppliers for the boutique are a hand-picked few - it is only the very best who get selected, and they often only have one supplier for a specific commodity. This because we as guests should enjoy the highest quality of what Norway has to offer!

The dishes at the lunch- and dinner menu are simple and appealing: They serve simple smørebrød, salads and soups for lunch and a bit heavier dishes for dinner. Something you shouldn’t miss when visiting this lovely shop is their bakery! Make time for a morning walk down to the shop and buy their popular muesli bread, and enjoy it during a late breakfast - this is something everyone should try!


Opening hours:
Monday-Saturday: 11-23
Sunday: 11-17

You can easily find more information about the parts of this concept which you find the most interesting. I’m adding a couple of specific links with this text to my personal points of interest:

For more information about the restaurant and cafe: Info

For more info on their bakery: Info

For more info on their vegetable sales: Info

Skovveien 8

Skovveien 8 ”Frogner”The location and the region are fantastic! The address is full of life and motion; and here are a couple of the bars and restaurants which put their stamp of this area. These restaurants and bars have historical significance, and have been serving great food experiences throughout. They have long been the popular water holes for artists, cultural people, old Frogner’s wives and the common people who dream of something different.
Tiffany’s - Behrens Gate 2, 0257 OSLOA bar and a small food place with most rumours all over Oslo. Not so many years ago, this was the place to be and be seen, a place for the top among the media, arts, culture, and other interesting personalities. Now it is a place where locals and other eccentrics gather. Tiffany’s offers a cosy atmosphere, friendly people and simple meals. It is really worth a visit as an interesting start to the evening. Sit down take a look around and take note of all the unique and curious interior details.
Champagneria - Frognerveien 2, 0257 OSLOI’m talking about Oslo's best outside terrace and address! The guests are often well dressed, coming straight from work to enjoy a glass of nice red wine, or a glass of sparkling champagne as the name indicates. Here you also can enjoy easy, Italian-inspired tapas with many pleasant alternatives. Late evenings, they often have a DJ on site playing relaxing lounge and house music, which is easily changed for more dance-friendly beats depending on the crowd that particular evening.

A historic look around Ullevålsveien 1

What I find extra interesting about Frogner House apartments' different addresses, is that each location has historic significance. In the area surrounding Ullevålsveien 1, one can clearly define the development through time by the architechtural styles of the buildings.



(Map: St. Hanshaugen 1917)

 Remnants from early Iron Age habitation has been found in the area. Several man-made mounds towards the Stensberg park distinguish what was probably a defence point from 400 – 600 AD, before the population was Christianized in the late 1000’s. One of the oldest roads from medieval Oslo ran from the Aker church, crossing the St. Hanshaugen district and Ullevålsveien, connecting this church to the Akershus fortress by the Aker Brygge waterfront. Aker church is probably the oldest standing building in Oslo, built in the late 1000’s to support the local community silver-rich galena miners. This was the first mine in Norway, named Akersberget, and it continued production until 1579.

Surrounding Aker church were mainly farms and farmland, which were divided in 1629 by King Christian IV (Danish king and head of Union, see blog from May 16^th) and given to citizens of the city, which was then called Christiania (now Oslo). The citizens built houses there, creating a suburb of small houses and narrow streets. The area east of the ‘Akersveien’ street, including streets ‘Dops gate’, ‘Telthusbakken’ and ‘Damstredet’, consists of small wooden houses from the late 1700s, which are very well preserved. The upper part of the ‘Akersgata’ street developed in the early 1800s with more wooden houses with the typical fenced-in gardens.     

('Dops Gate' street)



As the settlement expanded and the population in Oslo increased towards the mid 1800s, the neighbourhood gradually grew part of Christiania city. St. Olavs catholic cathedral, just across the road from Ullevålsveien 1, was built in 1856, and the protestant ‘Trefoldighetskirken’ church just down the street followed in 1858. Both are built in the Gothic Revival architectural style. From the 1860’s, the area around Ullevålsveien 1 and the ‘St. Olavs gate’ street was developed with more mason townhouses ("swiss villas") . The St. Hanshaugen hill was developed by the district council in 1865, when 1275 trees were planted. The entire city, including the St. Hanshaugen area, experienced a tremendous growth spurt. In 1899, collective transportation ran up Ullevålsveien in the form of a horse drawn tramline.   

(Making of St. Hanshaugen Park stream, 1889)

Some Art Nuveau, or "Jugend", buildings mark the turn of the 19^th century, such as Ullevålsveien nr 48 and 50, as well as the old government building (now treasury department) in ‘Apotekergata’ street, towards the city centre. Further buildings in the 1900s are dominated by functionalism and neo-classicism, for example by the south-east corner of St. Hanshaugen Park by the streets ‘Collets gate’ and ‘Louises gate’. The public library, "Deichmanske bibliotek", from 1933 is the light green, neo classisist building seen on the left hand side down the street from Ullevålsveien 1. Further down 'Apotekergata' street, the government centralised in buildings resulting from an architechtural competition in 1939. These buildings form the government quarter, or "Regjeringskvartalet", represent what we call the 'brutalist' style, stemming from the "beton brut" idea of massive, untreated concrete exteriors popular in this industrial development era.

(View from the Government quarter, with Deichmanske library in the background)

 In 2005, the entire district of St. Hanshaugen, together with ‘Bislett’ and ‘Ila’, were proposed established as a conservation area. The real estate market prices in the district are the second highest in the country (after the Frogner district), and the current population is typically upper middle class persons between 20 and 39 years old and of higher education.

What are these landmarks known for today?

Iron Age mounds -> ‘Stensbergparken’ Park

Aker Church -> Still in use, and especially popular for weddings

Akersberget mine -> A wonderful restaurant is operating in the red wooden house by the mine entrance, serving high quality food and a great selection of wines and beers.

17-1800s wooden houses -> Still in remarkably good shape and habited by locals who often tend to their gardens with great diligence!

St. Olav’s Cathedral -> Only current catholic cathedral in Oslo

St. Hanshaugen Park -> Very popular for park-lounging, exercising and Sunday pizza at the restaurant on top. 

Deichmanske Bibliotek -> Still functions as a public library, although the building itself is criticized for being too ugly...

(Foto: visitnorway.no - Akersberget restaurant, interior)




(Foto: vibb.no - Akersberget Restaurant, exterior)





Aker Brygge

This unique sea-front boardwalk is one of Oslo's primary attractions. It is a very popular area with a shopping mall, apartment buildings, offices, restaurants, bars, a cinema and a theatre.

Aker Brygge is where people meet, mingle and visit. Oslo residents, tourists from all over the world, business people on the move, as well as musicians, artists, actors, A-, B- and C-celebrities find Aker Brygge their favourite place to hang out.

This area has something for every taste and wallet, but the selection is probably best for persons with well-lined wallets. The waterfront along the fjord is teeming with activity 24 hours a day, particularly in summer, and it doesn’t cost anything to wander along the quay and enjoy life!

Alex Sushi

The whole city of Oslo has countless of nice restaurants that can satisfy even the most discerning food lovers. So read, get inspired, book a table and enjoy Oslo and what its restaurants have to offer!

Today we present a sushi restaurant in the absolute higest level, the name is Alex Sushi, located at Cort Adelers Gate 2 just between our two addresses Skovveien 8 and Arbin Gate 3. The design of the restaurant is attractive with a larger bar in the middle of the room with several chairs around, there are also regular tables if this should be desired. However, in my opinion to sit at the bar is the most intrsesting to see the sushi chefs work with pride and glory of serving most of the sea's freshest ingredients.

The choices are many they have totaly four differents menus with diverse content that is adapted according to the season, if you want a own combined menu you can pick out the sushi you would like on your own. Prices vary depending on menu and drink, but if we look at a classic menu with wine, the price is around 800 Nok which I think is a relatively reasonable amount for a gourmet dinner of the highest quality.