Hagabadet to Create Gothenburg’s Most Personal Hotel

In one of Sweden’s oldest police stations, located on Tredje Långgatan in one of Gothenburg’s most vibrant neighborhoods, something entirely new is about to come to life. A hotel is taking shape—one where the guest’s vitality is at the center and where every room tells its own story. The experiences have already begun, even as the building dust still swirls in the air.

Welcome to a hotel project built with heart, attention to detail, humility, curiosity, and a generous dose of eccentric charm. We’re building a premium hotel—but doing it our way.

“For us, premium isn’t about gold, velvet, or luxury. It’s about creating meaningful rooms where our guests can sleep well, and spaces that serve a purpose beyond aesthetics,” says Helene Johansson, Wow Experience Manager at Hagabadet.

A Historic Building Enters a New Era

The building at the corner of Tredje Långgatan and Nordhemsgatan was completed in 1913. It has a rich and intriguing history. Few know that it was Sweden’s first police station to incorporate dogs into police work. That’s why the facade along Tredje Långgatan features a sculpture of a policeman with a dog—have a look next time you pass by. Now, the old police station is about to be filled with new life, where history becomes a foundation rather than a footnote.

Helene on the Vision: Rethinking the Hotel Experience

Staying with us shouldn’t feel like a traditional hotel visit. It should feel like waking up at the home of an eccentric, cozy relative with impeccable taste in interior design. A place where guests feel safe, seen, and truly cared for.

“Instead of hotel rooms, we call them guest rooms—because that’s exactly how we want them to feel.”

Focus on Health, Sleep, and a Long, Good Life

This is not just a hotel. It’s a place for rest and balance. Our focus on sleep includes hormone-sensitive lighting designed to follow the natural rhythm of daylight. The scent—a unique blend inspired by the stone onyx—evokes strength, determination, and calm. Our vision is to offer an experience where every detail supports the body’s natural needs. And with Hagabadet just 350 meters away, wellness is always within reach (yes, even in your bathrobe).

“This new hotel is designed to complement and enhance the holistic experience of vitality and recovery that has made Hagabadet so beloved over the years.”

In the future, checking in with us won’t just mean checking into a hotel—it will be entering a whole ecosystem designed to help you thrive. A place where body, mind, and spirit can find that essential balance between effort and ease, movement and stillness, that fuels real vitality and energy.

The Interior Architects on the Building: Character, Details, and Wow Moments

Thea Foss Henriksen and Hanna Silverblad from Kanozi Arkitekter describe the building as a living source of inspiration:

“Every time we step through the doors, something stirs within us. It’s as if the building itself whispers its stories, feeding our creativity,” say Thea and Hanna.   

Old chimneys, doors, and staircases are being lovingly brought back to life. The traditional is given a modern twist—with humor, history, and deep respect.

Restoring with Care—and an Eye on the Future

Now, we’re preparing the building for its next era. What can be preserved will stay, preferably in its worn and beautiful original form. What can be restored will be shown love. At the same time, we’re building in modern functions—into a structure never meant to be a hotel.

“It’s a constant challenge—but that’s also what makes it exciting. How do you turn the police’s former gymnasium into inviting guest rooms? We have to think in new ways to create something unique that also works in practice,” says Helene.

“It should feel like a real wow, from the heart. We want to carve out something that feels just right—but still surprises our future guests.”

A Living Journey Until Opening: “Come On In!”

“This building has been here a long time, and the place leaves an impression. We’re seeing a lot of interest. Many people express a wish to preserve and develop it,” says Helene. “Now, the Polishuset enters a new era—and anyone who wants to is welcome to follow along on the renovation journey that has just begun, with a grand opening planned for June 6, 2027.”

We’ll be sharing as much as we can along the way—and we’ll also be collecting stories from those who’ve had a connection to this place.

A project of this magnitude is never fully mapped out from the start. That’s part of the magic—but also part of the challenge. Still, step by step, the puzzle comes together. And sometimes the very best ideas show up along the way.

“We haven’t even decided on the hotel’s name yet,” laughs Helene. “But I’m at peace with that. It’s a bit like being pregnant—many expecting parents don’t know the name yet, even close to the due date. Then one day, it just becomes obvious. I think that’s how it will be for us.”

Faktatext:

Old Police Station, Tredje Långgatan 18, Gothenburg

• Building completed: 1913
• Renovation start: Spring 2025
• Planned opening: Summer 2027
• Operator: Hagabadet AB
• Architects: Kanozi Arkitekter
• Property owner: Sigillet