Picture a charming two-story wooden house painted a soft lavender. This is Margretelunds gård. It sits serenely by the Ulvsundasjön lake in Stockholm. This isn’t just any house. Its history whispers tales of a bygone era.
Margretelunds gård was built around 1830. Anders Westman a prominent tile stove maker constructed it. His wife Sophia Margareta likely inspired the name. The location wasn’t chosen by chance. It stands near the site of a former ceramics factory Ulfsunda Fabrique. This factory thrived from 1791 to 1822. Westman cleverly used the clay from the old factory site for his tile stoves. He leased the land from Ulvsunda estate a shrewd business move.
The house has seen many changes. It was originally yellow. Some windows were even bricked up to maintain symmetry. A major renovation in the late 1800s altered the interior. The main entrance was moved. A large two-story veranda was added giving the house its unique character. Another renovation followed in the 1920s.
Imagine the lives lived within these walls. The house served as both a manor house and a country retreat. A few servants were listed as residents. The city of Stockholm acquired Margretelunds gård in 1918. The YMCA then used it for summer camps. During the mission institute period the house provided housing for students. A long period of neglect ended with a major renovation from 1983 to 1985. The house was repainted its current lavender color.
Today Margretelunds gård stands as a testament to history. Nearby old hollow oaks stand on Margretelundsbacken hill. The name of the gård even gave rise to the surrounding area Margretelund. Its enduring presence is a silent observer of Stockholm’s evolution. It’s a charming reminder of a simpler time a house with a story waiting to be discovered.