– The Oslo politicians must stand together for the Fiskebrygga

Hav Eiendom’s project in the west of Bjørvika may collapse. Now industry leaders believe that the city’s politicians must step in.

– You hardly get any closer to the seafront than this. The site is strategically important in terms of urban repair, so that we are able to complete the building masses along the sea front.

That’s what the CEO of Norsk Eiendom, Tone Tellevik Dahl, says in a press release.

She is talking about the Fiskebrygga plot.

Asphalt to green

Ever since 2013, Hav Eiendom has worked to transform the site between Havnelageret and Skippergata from a gray void into an area filled with activity and workplaces. The plan is for car parks and asphalt to be replaced with green areas, restaurants and shops – at the same time as an office building with 1,500-1,700 jobs.

In 2022, Oslo’s city council unanimously gave the thumbs up, and Hav Eiendom’s ambition is to put the first sod in the ground during 2024.

In order for Hav Eiendom to be able to build the commercial building of approximately 27,000 square metres, a 40-metre-long cover must be established over the descent to the Opera Tunnel. Parts of the building will lie above this lid.

But the Norwegian Road Administration no longer agrees to this, and has found section 57 of the Roads Act.

As a result, uncertainty has arisen about the realization of the important project in the heart of Fjordbyen. This despite the fact that the city council has given the green light, and that the Norwegian Road Administration has previously withdrawn its objections.

Hav Eiendom has lodged an appeal against the decision from the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, and is awaiting further processing.

Hope they withdraw the attempt

The latest move by the Norwegian Road Administration causes Tellevik Dahl in Norsk Eiendom to react.

– The city council has given the green light and made arrangements for important development of the south-eastern part of Kvadraturen. Now I hope the Oslo politicians stand together, and challenge the National Roads Administration to withdraw the attempt to stop the project, says Tellevik Dahl and points out:

– Because it came far too late in the process, all the while all objections have already been closed and resolved.

She is clear that for Hav Eiendom and the property industry in general, predictability is absolutely essential. A special point in this case is that the Norwegian Road Administration raised objections in the planning matter, which were then resolved. The objections were therefore withdrawn.

– The industry runs a big risk when we start projects like this, and there are large sums involved. State objection authorities must take this seriously. The industry cannot plan projects and take out large loans, only to have to live with the fear that the road authorities will show up late in the process and try to stop the project, says Tellevik Dahl.

Norsk Eiendom, on the other hand, believes that it is the provisions in the zoning plan and the protocols that apply and that you cannot come at a later date and turn the thumbs down.

– There are many construction projects across the country that come into contact with the Norwegian Public Roads Administration. I hope that what we see in this case is not a new line from the Norwegian Road Administration. Then the transport minister and the government must step in, says Tellevik Dahl.