Ever wondered where the name “Alder Village” comes from? Here in Lilla Alby, we stand on ground steeped in history.
Lilla Alby is a district in Sundbyberg Municipality. It offers a blend of historical charm and modern living. Today, we will uncover some of its secrets.
The earliest mention of Alby dates back to 1553. The name referred to church property and local farms. Lilla Alby farm was part of larger farm complexes. These included Huvudsta farm and Alby farm.
Ahlby säteri is Lilla Alby’s oldest remaining building. It is a seat farm that dates back to the 1620s.
In 1833, the current Lilla Alby gård was built. This shows the area’s agricultural roots.
Access to Lilla Alby greatly improved in 1877. This happened when the train station was built in Sundbyberg.
The name Lilla Alby became common in the late 1880s. The landowner began selling land for homes and villas. This marked a shift from rural to residential.
Lilla Alby municipalsamhälle was created on July 19, 1907. It existed within Solna landskommun. Solna became a town in 1943 and Lilla Alby municipalsamhälle then ceased to exist.
In 1949, the current district transferred from Solna to Sundbyberg. At that time, 2,810 people lived here. The area covered just 0.32 square kilometers.
Let’s talk about Alby kyrka. The church was built in 1892 and is listed as a cultural heritage site. The Church of Sweden ran it from 1934 until 2013. It was then desacralized and sold to MKFC Stockholms folkhögskola. This adult education school gave the church a new purpose.
In 2014, Swedbank’s headquarters moved to Lilla Alby. This brought a major corporate presence to the district. The office building sits next to the railway in the eastern part.
Today, Lilla Alby is dominated by multi-family residential buildings. In 2013, there were 2,557 homes. 57 percent were rented and 43 percent were owned co-operatively.
The bay Bällstaviken once had industrial buildings. These were torn down in 2010. They were replaced with residential buildings.
For recreation, Lilla Alby offers two parks: Tuvan and Stamgärdsparken. These green spaces provide residents with places to relax.
While Lilla Alby doesn’t have its own metro station, it is well-connected. Solna strand is nearby to the south. Sundbybergs centrum is close to the north. Residents can easily access the tram Tvärbanan and the railway station. The railway serves both commuter and regional lines.
As of 2011, 4,235 people called Lilla Alby home. This represents 10.7 percent of Sundbyberg’s population.
From its humble beginnings as an “Alder Village” to its current status as a vibrant residential area, Lilla Alby has a rich story to tell. Its blend of historical landmarks and modern development makes it a unique place to explore.