We both want to make Bergen a better place. When Vestre Torggate 11 appeared on our radar in the autumn of 2019, both the newspaper BA and EGD Property realised that this could be the perfect home for BA.

In the city archives we found photos of the building from its earliest days, and we will now try to restore it to its former glory. The old cast iron balconies will be put back, as will the old decorative elements and spire, and the building will also be painted in beautiful colours.

The work is being carried out in consultation with the cultural heritage authorities, the consultant Sven Gundersen and architects at Vill Urbanisme.

“We have so much to be proud of in Bergen. Its blocks of brick buildings are a hidden gem. Numerous fine buildings are slightly forgotten, since they’re all the same colour – white. Now that one of the city’s most loving property developers is buying this building, together with BA we will be able to ensure that it no longer remains forgotten. We will fill it with life at street level, open it up, and restore this hidden gem of a historic building”, says Fredrik Barth of Vill Urbanisme.

“I think people will think it is a wonderful building, and above all an open, inclusive one, that invites people to come in. . Somewhere we can visit the local newspaper and feel at home; that’s my hope”, continues the architect.

BA will have open windows facing the street, and the general public will be invited to share their opinions and to take part in a variety of events. The parking spaces outside the building will be partially replaced with a front garden and a restaurant terrace.

“We are looking forward to making the building accessible to the city’s residents by creating an inviting, open ground floor where we hope to have an exciting restaurant concept”, says Müller.