Historic hotel in Stockholm proudly brought back to life

"Being part of this project has been incredibly rewarding. It has been an honour to help give this building back its pride and dignity - as it rightly deserves," says Magnus Jansson of Skyhill Project Management & Architecture. 

He is the architect behind the new Thon Hotel Vasa, which is opening its doors on Vasagatan in Stockholm on 14 April 2026. 

"We’ve removed layers and layers of disrespectful renovations over the years and really brought back the building's soul. It’s been a real pleasure," says the architect. 

A building with lots of history in its walls 

Few hotels in Stockholm have such a rich and layered history as the one at Vasagatan 20. Here, between the central train station and lively city streets, Hotel Terminus opened its doors around 1910. But its history goes back even further.

“There were actually buildings here back in the 1750s, long before Vasagatan even existed,” says Jansson. 

"At the time, it was a rather rundown area. The original building was a three-storey stone building, quite different from what we see today, and had its entrance on Klara Vattugränd. 

But with the arrival of the railway in the late 1800s, the entire area was transformed. Vasagatan was established as the city’s new main street and several grand hotels popped up along the street. 

During the years 1907-1910, the building underwent extensive renovations and Hotel Terminus opened its doors. Adapted to the new streetscape, the building was given a facade in a distinctive combination of Art Nouveau, American Chicago style and colonial palace aesthetics.

“It’s an intense mix of styles, but the hotels along Vasagatan competed for attention and no one wanted to pale in comparison to the competition,” says Jansson.

"The entrance was moved to Vasagatan and a new staircase and small lift were added. In fact, part of the layout we see in the building today dates back to this renovation," says the architect. 

The next major renovation was in the 1930s, with the introduction of a mezzanine and changes to the facade. The ceiling height in the building was lowered and the style adapted in line with the functionalism of the time. In the 40s, 50s and 60s, the transformation continued – often at the expense of the original architecture.

Nevertheless, in the midst of the demolition enthusiasm that characterised Stockholm’s city centre during the redevelopment of Norrmalm, this building was left untouched. A mystery, according to Jansson:

"It’s almost incomprehensible. The subway runs right below us and many of the neighbouring buildings were demolished. But this building was left in place and the subway entrance constructed adjacent to it, so fortunately, there was someone in charge who recognised its value." 

From forgotten hotel to modern grandeur

Hotel Terminus continued operations until 2023 and it is said that the building has been owned by the same family for almost as long. But when the hotel business began to decline and the building was in need of renovation, the Olav Thon Group got involved and bought it. 

Since then, extensive renovations have been carried out to both preserve and modernise the hotel building. Jansson and his team have gone to great lengths: from burying themselves in the archives and studying old pictures to reopening windows that had been bricked up and removing illogical structures that confined the interior of the building.

Hotel Terminus continued operations until 2023 and it is said that the building has been owned by the same family for almost as long. But when the hotel business began to decline and the building was in need of renovation, the Olav Thon Group got involved and bought it. 

Since then, extensive renovations have been carried out to both preserve and modernise the hotel building. Jansson and his team have gone to great lengths: from burying themselves in the archives and studying old pictures to reopening windows that had been bricked up and removing illogical structures that confined the interior of the building.

Welcoming guests in style 

The new Thon Hotel Vasa brings a historic hotel tradition back to life in the heart of Stockholm. 

What was once a somewhat forgotten building with low ceilings and confined spaces, a hotel is now opening that aims to be both proud and easily accessible – with magnificent facades in the 1950s style that characterises the area. 

“The goal from the very start has been to highlight the positive qualities that already existed in the building and to combine them with modern additions,” says Jansson. 

He is looking forward to welcoming people back into the building.

"We didn't want to create just any hotel. We wanted to create a great hotel with a welcome ambiance that captures the historic pride and elegance of this building. 

“Today's guests should be just as delighted with it as were guests 100 years ago, when the hotels along Vasagatan were prestigious and grand,” says Jansson with satisfaction. 

"And I think we’ve accomplished just that!"