Have you ever walked where a bay once stretched? Welcome to Storängsbotten a place transformed by time. Right here in this area north of Lidingövägen in Hjorthagen you stand on land once covered by the waters of the Baltic Sea. In the 17th century Storängsbotten was a part of the vast Östersjön a bay visible on Erland Stråms map from 1696. This map depicts it as a southern continuation of Husareviken. Land uplift gradually transformed the area. Storängsbotten like Lillsjön and Uggleviken became dry land. The change is not visible to the naked eye. But the history of this area is written into the very soil beneath our feet. The landscape holds memories of a past shoreline.
Today Storängsbotten offers a fascinating blend of industrial heritage and modern development. The northern part of this area near Husarviken houses the remnants of a bygone era. Gasometers from the gasworks stand tall. Older industrial buildings bear witness to the area’s past. Here major wholesalers like Martin Olsson Electrolux and Svanströms once thrived. A small animal hospital also occupied the space. Smaller industries and car repair shops once filled the area. Their humble structures were built of corrugated iron. Significant residential construction started in 2005 after many older structures were demolished.
The southern part of Storängsbotten lies east of Östermalms IP and west of the Kungliga Tennishallen. From 1943 until 1970 St Eriksmässan a fair occupied this open space. After its move to Älvsjö it became the site of modern events. Circuses and outdoor concerts now take place here. The open space hosts entertainment and community gatherings. It transformed from a fairground to a vibrant public space.
Storängsbotten’s future holds potential. It lies within the Norra Djurgårdsstaden urban development area. It’s also part of the Kungliga Nationalstadsparken a national urban park. These designations impose specific restrictions on development. Current plans focus on creating a space for sports and health-related activities. These plans propose preserving most existing buildings except the former German pavilion. New low-rise buildings are planned. Their height will not exceed the treetops. This ensures Storängsbotten will remain a pleasant green space in a dynamic city. We can only imagine the exciting transformation this area will undergo. But one thing is certain Storängsbotten is a place brimming with history and promise.