Stepping through the arched entrance of SJ-husen, a sense of history washes over you. These two grand buildings, known affectionately as the SJ-houses, stand as a testament to a bygone era of railway workers in Malmö.
The older of the two, called Hakan, was built between 1899 and 1901. Alfred Arwidius, the architect, designed a spacious home for the city’s hardworking railway employees. Each family had their own apartment. The building had a large courtyard where children could play. It even had outdoor toilets, which were considered a luxury at the time. Imagine the conversations that unfolded in that courtyard, the stories exchanged between families, the laughter and the shared joys of a tight-knit community bound by the iron horse.
The younger building, Gustav, was built between 1906 and 1907. This one had a similar U-shaped layout, but it was even more impressive. It was built for the State Railway’s widow and orphan fund. This building was designed by Folke Zettervall. He was known for designing luxury homes for the upper class. As a result, both the Hakan and the Gustav buildings are a testament to high design for a working class community.
The houses stand today, each one a silent narrator of the city’s evolution. They are a reminder of the days when the railway was the lifeblood of Malmö, the source of livelihood and strength for its people. Look closely at the buildings, notice the Art Nouveau details, the intricate ironwork, the large windows, the grand balconies. They whisper stories of a time when the city was built by hardworking hands, a time when dreams were carried on iron rails, and a time when the SJ-houses offered a place to gather, to connect, to share life’s journey.