Långsjö

“Two identical houses, mirror images of each other, what’s the story there?” Långsjön, a suburb nestled in southern Stockholm, takes its name from the Långsjön gård, an estate by the lake. This very lake, also called Långsjön, defines the southeastern edge of the suburb, bordering Huddinge municipality. Långsjön gård’s twin houses have a curious tale. In 1882, businessman Robert Ditzinger built these matching structures for his two sons. This act speaks volumes about the close-knit family and perhaps a desire for balanced inheritance. Now, let’s explore the community that grew around this estate. The land surrounding Långsjön gård changed hands in 1908, becoming part of “AB Billiga Tomters” holdings. This company, founded by heirs of industrialist J.E. Lignell, aimed to create affordable housing. The first city plan for Långsjön, established in 1938, largely respected the existing streets and blocks laid out in the early 1900s. Imagine relying solely on the railway from Älvsjö station to reach Stockholm. This was the reality for early Långsjön residents. Public transportation arrived in 1922 when Olof Strand and K. I. Jansson launched a bus route connecting Midsommarkransen and Långsjön. This route extended to Hornsgatan in 1924 and later became bus line 64 under AB Stockholms Spårvägar in 1930. Among the older villas still standing in Långsjön, you might notice Strandängsstigen 15, designed by Rolf Solin in 1924, and Myrvägen 54, a 1928 creation by Sten Westholm. These houses showcase the architectural styles prevalent during that era. In the late 1960s, Långsjöhjden added a modern touch with 63 terraced houses designed by Gösta Nordin and Hans Alfont. Today, Långsjön stands as a primarily residential area, home to around 900 dwellings.