Admire the simple geometric patterns. They give Glaven 8 its unique character. This is Glaven 8 on Kungsholmen. It is more than just a building. It is a piece of Stockholm’s history.
Glaven 8 was built in 1953. It was designed by architect Ture Ryberg. Ryberg worked with the building contractor AB Svenska Bostäder. Sven Tyrén was the structural engineer. Eric Anjou designed the garden with Glaven 9.
Originally, Glaven 8 served as a nursing and retirement home. Stockholm’s City Poor Care Board commissioned it. The building has 15 floors above ground and two basement floors.
Ryberg designed Glaven 8 in the folkhem architecture style. The building has two offset structures. This design choice prevents the building from appearing too bulky.
Inside Glaven 8, the lower floors housed a large kitchen. There was also a dining and assembly hall. You would have also found a doctor’s office and staff rooms. The upper floors had rooms for one to four people along two corridors. Each floor also featured a small kitchen. There was a larger bathroom. Rooms were available for nurses and day rooms. A central staircase with three elevators provided vertical access.
The facades of Glaven 8 are light beige. They are painted with simple geometric patterns. These give the building its distinct look.
Glaven 8 no longer functions as a nursing home. It became a medical building with many healthcare providers. Locum owned Glaven 8 until 2018. They planned a major renovation for healthcare and office space. The building was emptied. But the renovation plans were canceled. The reason given was building technical difficulties.
In January 2018, the Stockholm County Council approved the sale of Glaven 8. Property owner Wonna I de Jong bought it for 262 million kr. Since then, Glaven 8 has also been known as Wonna Tower.
The Stockholm City Museum has given Glaven 8 a green marking. This means the building is historically valuable. It is important culturally and artistically. It is also significant for its environmental impact.
Glaven 8 stands as a reminder of Stockholm’s architectural evolution. Its history as a care facility adds another layer to its story. The building is a testament to thoughtful design. It reflects changing needs and tastes over time. As Wonna Tower, Glaven 8 continues to be a landmark. Its story is now interwoven with a new chapter.