Bonum will develop but preserve as much of the property as possible

Envisages versatile use and a wide range of industries

In 2018, Bonum purchased Stovner police station from Entra for 80 million kroner. The very centrally located property of around five acres lies directly across the road from Stovner centre and the transport hub with metro and bus services.

On the neighbouring plot, Oslo municipality is underway with a major development project that includes housing and a new district swimming pool opening in 2026.

Before Christmas last year, Bonum requested a preliminary planning conference with a view to continuing commercial use of what is Aasta Hansteens vei 10, including a grocery shop on the ground floor. They also envisaged expanding the building, and because the police are moving out next year, they will be finalising their plans.

"Various alternatives for extensions have been investigated, the final scope depends on the load-bearing capacity of the structure and requirements in the tenant's specification. The most extensive variant would involve an extension equivalent to the height of three storeys. In principle, the extensions lie within the current building boundaries," they noted, among other things, at the time.

And stressed that the investigations comprised sensitive material that they did not wish to show before the meeting.

This took place in April, and the minutes show that Bonum alternatively wished to examine the possibility of private service provision throughout the entire building.

"The measure will entail façade changes, reconstruction and possible additions and extensions. There is a desire to reuse the existing structure to the greatest extent possible," it states there.

Contrary to the plan

PBE, however, assesses that the measure must have several exemptions, including for continued use and heights. And that a change of purpose necessitates a separate planning case. 

"There are many considerations to be assessed, and a change of purpose of this type will constitute a major deviation from the existing zoning plan," the bureaucrats note, among other things.

The authority further assesses that measures in the VPOR local area that are to be realised in connection with the property will be difficult to take a position on in a building application with exemptions.

"We therefore recommend that you proceed with the case as a planning matter," PBE responds.

Will preserve as much as possible

Marketing manager Ruben Wilhelmsen at Bonum tells Estate Nyheter that they are considering various possibilities for continued use and development, and that it is too early to go into detail about the floor space allocation.

"We have not yet concluded on specific extensions. Any changes will be assessed in light of needs related to future commercial activity and in dialogue with relevant authorities. We wish to preserve and reuse the existing structure to the greatest extent possible. At the same time, we are considering various alternatives for adapting the building to future use," he notes.

Wilhelmsen also says that the dialogue with PBE is constructive, and they are exploring a broad spectrum of possible future uses. 

"Several of these are in line with previous use and will therefore not necessarily trigger a need for a zoning change. It is important for us to clarify that we have not decided on a final direction, and that we are considering alternatives that in some cases can be implemented within the current zoning," he says.

Bonum envisages flexible commercial use with room for both office operations, public and private service provision, as well as other functions aimed at the public. 

"The building is a short distance from both bus and metro. Our ambition is to develop an offering that strengthens the local community and contributes positively to urban development in Stovner, in line with the area's needs and potential. We are in the process of considering new operators and services and are planning upgrades of both the building and outdoor areas. At the same time, we are looking at possibilities for temporary use of the property whilst the long-term concept is being developed," he concludes.