“Rye’s place.” That’s the likely meaning of Råcksta’s name dating back to 1351. Today, Råcksta is a district in the western part of Stockholm. More precisely it is in the Hässelby-Vällingby area. Råcksta is next to other suburbs like Grimsta.
In 2005, about 4,484 people called Råcksta home. The area spans about 1.42 square kilometers.
Back in the 1950s, Råcksta was planned alongside Vällingby. The architecture of both subway suburbs are very similar. Sven Markelius, the city planning director, signed off on the detailed plan in 1951.
If you traveled on the subway from T-Centralen, Råcksta is the first station after Bromma. It sits along the green line.
The eastern parts of Råcksta were often showcased in the early 1950s. Groups interested in urban planning came to study the area. A private company started building the blocks around Multrågatan in 1951. Soon, the public utility AB Råckstahus took over. This allowed for more favorable state loans.
Though close to Vällingby, Råcksta has its own smaller center. In recent times, the old shops have been converted into apartments.
In the west, you’ll find small industries, offices, and car dealerships. The subway’s train depot is also located here. Vällingbyskolan stands to the north on Offerdalsgatan. Helge Zimdahl designed it in 1952-1953. Most of the buildings are apartments with some townhouses nestled among green spaces.
Vattenfall, the power company, quickly set up its headquarters in Råcksta. Construction began in 1958. Sven Danielson was the architect. It was completed in 1964. At the time, it was considered Northern Europe’s largest office building.
Next to Vattenfall’s offices, you’ll find Råcksta farm. This farm has been here since the Middle Ages. The current main building dates back to the 1720s. Knut Ljunglöf, known as the “Snuskungen” once owned it. Vattenfall used the house for representative purposes.
Råcksta also houses Råcksta nursing home. It’s now known as Koppargården. It opened in 1971 and sits on Bättringsvägen, along Råckstavägen.
Vattenfall AB had its headquarters in Råcksta since the 1950s. Sven Danielson designed the building. At its peak, 3,000 people worked here. The City Museum has classified the entire facility as “blue”. This means it’s valued on par with listed buildings.
At the end of 2012 and the beginning of 2013, Vattenfall AB moved its operations from Råcksta to Solna.
The “Råcksta Centrum” sign won the “Lysande skylt” award in 2012. The Stockholm City Museum gives out this award. The sign dates back to the 1950s and was renovated in 2011. The motivation was that the Råcksta Centrum sign shines both boldly and quietly.
In 1952, SL built the Vällingbydepån train hall in Råcksta. It houses the subway trains for the green line in Vällingby. It opened in November 1952 with the subway Hötorget-Vällingby. It was then called Spångahallen.