Strandvägen

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Panoramic view of Strandvägen from Skeppsholmsbron centred on the Bünsow House.

Strandvägen, Stockholm is a boulevard-style street on Östermalm in central Stockholm, Sweden. Stretching east from the streets Hamngatan and Birger Jarlsgatan over the public square Nybroplan in front of Dramatiska teatern, it passes along the water to reach slightly beyond the bridge Djurgårdsbron leading over to Djurgården. Completed just in time for the Stockholm World's Fair 1897, the street quickly became known as one of the most prestigious addresses in town, the old ships lined-up along the quay not included.

Old names: Ladugårdslands Strandgata, Strandvägen (1885)
Parallel streets: Almlöfsgatan, Väpnargatan, Kaptensgatan, Riddargatan
Crossing streets: Arsenalgatan, Nybrogatan, Sibyllegatan, Artillerigatan, Skeppargatan, Grevgatan, Styrmansgatan, Grev Magnigatan, Torstenssonsgatan, Banérgatan, Narvavägen

[edit] History

A quay along the present water front was first discussed in 1857, and within two years a proposal was produced for a combined harbour and wide street planted with trees; "a street unparalleled in Europe". Works were started in 1862, but by the mid 1870s walking along the water front was still practicable at best, the area crowded with sheds and hovels. In front of the World's Fair in 1897, the street was however trafficable for both pedestrians and vehicles.^[1]

On number 29-33 is the Bünsow House designed by Isak Gustaf Clason in 1886-88 while travelling in the Loire Valley in France, thus apparently inspired by the Renaissance palaces there. The building was a break with the schematic façades of the previous century.^[2]

Since 2005 works to develop Strandvägen into a more attractive area for both pedestrians and ships have been progressing, footways being paved in granite; lampposts, benches, and litter bins being uniformly designed; while parked cars are confined to available underground carparks.^[3]

[edit] References

^ (1992) "Innerstaden: Östermalm", Stockholms gatunamn, 2nd ed., Stockholm: Kommittén för Stockholmsforskning, 315-316. ISBN 91-7031-042-4.
^ Johan Mårtelius (1999). "Norra innerstaden", Guide till Stockholms arkitektur, 2nd ed., Stockholm: Arkitektur Förlag AB, 78. ISBN 91 86050-41-9.
^ Strandvägen rustas och blir ett levande promenadstråk. City of Stockholm (2005-04-26). Retrieved on February 3, 2007.