Perhaps it is the wind rustling through the trees that carries the echoes of bygone eras here at Villa Bergsjölund. This elegant villa stands near Prins Eugens Waldemarsudde on Djurgården in Stockholm. Villa Bergsjölund whispers tales of merchants, generals, and even a popular Swiss confectionery.
Let’s step back in time to the 1770s. Isac Kierman, a merchant from Lindesberg, owned a large area known as Bergsjölund. A description from 1773 tells us he created an elaborate building. It included a grand summerhouse and lakeside facilities. There was also a brewhouse, a bakery, and rooms for staff.
In 1793 Carl Magnus Fris acquired the property. He established Frisens Park, named in his honor. Then in 1780, General J.M. von Sprengtporten took ownership. However, he quickly sold it in 1792 to Carl Magnus Fries.
By 1838, the Djurgården Administration had reduced Bergsjölund’s land. They also purchased the property. Bergsjölund then passed through many hands. One notable owner was the baker W. Carsten. He ran a well-liked Swiss confectionery here. From 1878 to 1908, Villa Bergsjölund served as a summer retreat. It was enjoyed in turn by merchant John Berger, brick trader J. Land, and master carpenter J.O. Anderberg.
Most of the buildings were demolished for the 1909 Arts and Crafts Exhibition. Villa Bergsjölund was part of the exhibition grounds. Today, only the pavilion remains from the older structures. In the 1860s, it gained a glass veranda and a tower.
The main building covers 225 square meters. The property now includes about 1,300 square meters of land. Claës Wachtmeister, a financier, once owned Villa Bergsjölund. He is known for his real estate deals.
In 1989, the Djurgården Administration first sold Villa Bergsjölund. Claës Ekbom, a real estate investor, bought it. He renovated it for 10 million kronor. Financial troubles forced him to sell. The next owner faced similar issues. In 1997, SEB Bolån and Hoist auctioned the building. They had taken Villa Bergsjölund as collateral. Media reports at the time put the price between 5 and 7 million kronor.
Later, Claës Wachtmeister bought Bergsjölund from Klas Käll. Käll was one of the founders of the fashion company Gant. Sources say the building was renovated. Yet, Claës Wachtmeister and his wife never moved in. Villa Bergsjölund has a prime location. It is even better than their current home on Rosenvalsvägen.
This villa stands as a reminder of Stockholm’s changing landscape. Villa Bergsjölund has witnessed centuries of transformations. It is a testament to the city’s rich history.