Landsbankinn hefur tekið tilboði Landsbyggðar ehf. í Landsbankahúsið við Austurstræti 11 og Hafnarstræti 10, 12 og 14.
The buildings were advertised for sale on 15 May of this year. Two offers were received and Landsbyggð’s offer accepted as it was considered more favourable, having regard for offer conditions and present value of payments. The sale price of the buildings is ISK 2.85 billion.
Landsbyggð is a real estate and development company that specialises in development and restoration projects around the country, including in the centre of Selfoss through its subsidiary Sigtún Thróunarfélag ehf.
Lilja Björk Einarsdóttir, CEO of Landsbankinn:
“Austurstræti 11 is one of the most impressive buildings in the country and the Bank’s operation there was successful. This sale marks a turning point as the Bank has now sold all the so-called Landsbankinn buildings, drawn by or based on drawings by Guðjón Samúelsson. Much as with the other such houses, Austurstræti 11 no longer suited the Bank’s operation. It is important for the city centre that the building be given a new role and it will be interesting to see how the buildings will be used and revitalised.”
Guðjón Auðunsson, Chairman of the Board of Landsbyggð:
“Landsbyggð looks to develop these buildings with respect for their history and location, and with the aim of restoring them to a vibrant part of the cityscape. The goal is to encourage life in the heart of the city. The buildings and their location offer a plethora of opportunities that align with the philosophy on which our projects are based - to harness history and character to create new and exciting locations.”
Erected in 1898 and rebuilt in 1924
The buildings in question are 5,836 square metres, 1,380 thereof are basement space. Austurstræti 11 was erected in 1898 and rebuilt in 1924 from drawings by State Architect Guðjón Samúelsson. Guðjón also designed the interior fittings. The building attained listed status in 1991, both its exterior and interior, including wall art and original internal fittings. An annex to the house was taken into use in 1940. Connected buildings are Hafnarstræti 10-12, the co-called Edinburgh house from 1923, and Hafnarstræti 12, built in 1970. Landsbankinn moved its operation from a total of 12 buildings in Kvosin in 2023, to its new headquarters at Reykjastræti 6.
