Stationen Uppsala
Three European classics in the center of Uppsala
Built in 1866, the city’s old railway station had its day. But 145 years later, a bold restaurant entrepreneur saw the building’s potential to become a new meeting place from early morning till late at night.
In 1866, the first railway line reached Uppsala, Sweden’s fourth largest city just north of Stockholm. The railway and the train station were opened by King Karl XV, the road to the continent was opened and Uppsala became a part of Europe in earnest. To highlight its importance, the station building was built like a small castle.
145 years later, a new travel center made of concrete and steel was built next door and the old station house had its day. The question was what would happen to the historic building. At this time, local restaurant entrepreneur’s Svenssons Krogar were looking for an appropriate building that could become a restaurant and meeting place that the city lacked. The old train station was badly in need of renovation, but they took the chance.
In September in 2011, the station was re-opened as a new restaurant experience that allows the historic building to continue to play a central role for everyone in Uppsala. The restaurant Stationen consists of three parts which represents a functional entity; a brasserie with a taste of Paris, a bar with London's pulse and a cafe with a fragrance of Rome.
The inspiration for the restaurant concept comes from none other than the building's architect - Adolf Wilhelm Edelsvärd - and his journeys. He was one of Sweden’s greatest pioneers for the growing railway system and created nearly 300 station buildings during the 1800s. As a young engineer, he traveled around Europe in the 1850s. He visited major cities as London, Paris and Rome, studied the new railway architecture and found inspiration and ideas for his projects back at home in Sweden. Of course, he also made studies of the pulse of the major European cities, culture, food, drink and pleasures...
"In the middle of his vast production Edelsvärd always fought for variation and attention to detail" says Erik Nissen Johansen, creative director and founder of Stylt Trampoli. “Imagining him in London's clubs, the brasseries of Paris and cafes in Rome helped us to create the storyline and the interior concept for the new restaurant.”
"Many in Uppsala were tensed about what would happen to the house," says David Åström, CEO and co-owner of Svenssons Krogar. "We immediately saw that this could be the venue that has long been lacking in this city."
Since the new travel center and its surroundings are built very new and modern, Svensson’s Krogar wanted to highlight the building's history in an inspiring and inviting way that was classic and timeless rather than trendy and temporary. On this location just over 30,000 people pass per day and the station should be a place open to many for much of the day or night, travelers as well as everyone else.
"This is a place you always can rely on," says David Åström, "a pleasant meeting place where everyone can feel at home. An espresso on the spot, business lunch, a drink in the bar, family dinner or an evening with friends."
Just like the restaurant’s menu, Stationen’s interior design is meant to be timeless and sustainable. “A major challenge has been to bring the best out of the old atmosphere and to add new solutions at the same time” says Karin Gullbrantz, interior architecht at Stylt. “We tried to imagine how a pioneer like Adolf Edelsvärd would decorate the restaurant today. Probably he would have used the best of 1860s crafts and mixed it with new and slightly futuristic solutions.”
"Since the building is classified as a historic site, it is especially gratifying that the station has been inspired by the building's original architecture which increases its historical value," says Cecilia Göttinger-Bystrom, at Jernhusen that owns and manages the house.
And the guests keep coming from early morning till late at night. What used to be a place you either rushed through or where you patiently waited has been turned into one of Uppsala’s new main attractions.
Stationen website