The detailed plan for housing and premises at the former Holtermanska hospital in Landala was approved by the municipal council on Thursday, allowing for construction to begin. Landala is a neighborhood that has undergone significant demolition, with few original buildings remaining, including the Holtermanska hospital which was built in 1893 and currently houses offices. The plan includes the creation of 70 student housing units in the existing yellow brick buildings, as well as the construction of three new block houses with 300 student housing units and eight housing units with special services. The new buildings will be designed to blend in with the existing structures. Some politicians expressed concerns about the design and building height, but the plan was ultimately approved.
On Thursday, the municipal council approved the detailed plan for housing and premises at the former Holtermanska hospital in Landala. Thus, the much-discussed construction can start.
The City Planning Board’s chairman, Johannes Hulter (S), notes that Landala is a neighborhood that was treated brutally during the years of demolition. Not much remains of the original buildings, but alongside some governor’s houses there is at least the Holtermanska hospital – a number of yellow brick buildings from 1893 near the tram stop. Originally patients with venereal diseases were treated here, today the buildings house offices.
At the Holtermanska hospital, patients with venereal diseases were treated. The picture was taken in 1901 by the photographer Aron Jonason. Picture: Gothenburg City Museum
Great demands on adaptation
Now the plan is to create 70 student housing in the brick buildings and to build three new block houses with 300 student housing and eight housing units with special services.
– This is a plan with great demands on adaptation, so that the new buildings blend into the existing buildings, says Johannes Hulter.
Hampus Magnusson (M), who was chairman of the building committee until the turn of the year, says that the case dragged on because they worked hard on the design itself. Early sketches showed a large glass building, which the politicians did not like at all.
– We had to throw it in the trash, says Hampus Magnusson.
SD demanded re-referral
But not everyone was as convinced that the now-approved plan will blend in with its surroundings. Sweden Democrats group leader Jörgen Fogelklou argued against the proposal and said that both building height and design have major flaws. His suggestion was that the plans should be sent back and fundamentally redone.
– Former Holtermanska deserves a better fate than to be hidden behind large boxes. You can build high – but then it has to blend in, he says.
But SD was alone in its criticism of the plans. Johan Zandin (V) points out that Holtermanska is surrounded by heights: Chalmer’s main entrance, high mountains and car bridges.
– A tall house does not disturb. And if there is something we need, it is housing. This is an important step to reduce the housing shortage among students.
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