The new building of Háskóli Íslands (University of Iceland), which was previously Hotel Saga, was formally inaugurated yesterday. The state purchased the building four years ago when the hotel closed, and renovation work has been under way since.
The new building of Háskóli Íslands (University of Iceland), which was previously Hotel Saga, has been formally inaugurated.
Extensive changes have been made to the building, which was constructed more than sixty years ago and for most of that time was owned by Bændasamtökin (the Farmers’ Association of Iceland).
The state purchased the building four years ago when the hotel closed, and renovations have since been carried out to adapt it to the university’s operations. The total cost amounts to just under ISK 13.000.000.000, and the formal inauguration took place yesterday. Where there were previously conference halls and hotel rooms, there are now student residences and classrooms.
Kolbrún Þ. Pálsdóttir, dean of the School of Education at HÍ, says converting the hotel into a university has been extremely successful.
This building is magnificent, historic, with high ceilings and generous space. So in my view this has been extremely successful… We have been bringing the building into use in stages this autumn and are now around 80% operational with the activities of the School of Education and the School of Information Technology of the university, and there are also a few tenants in the building.
Photo: / Radissons Hotels
Hotel Saga was one of the most prestigious hotels in the country, and many famous guests stayed there, including Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom. Grillið, one of the country’s leading restaurants, was located on the top floor, and many receptions and numerous concerts were held in Súlnasalur, in the building.
Source: Ruv.is
