The house of the Salvation Army, commonly known as the “Army Castle” might soon be up for sale, the local news site visir.is reports. The building, which was built in 1916, and is thus 100 years old next year, is one of the landmarks in downtown Reykjavík. According to Icelandic law buildings are automatically protected when they reach 100 years. Any changes to a protected building must be reviewed by the relevant cultural preservation authorities.
Real estate agents the local news site visir.is interviewed argued the building would likely be seen as a potential hotel, and could fetch as much as 650 million ISK (5.1 million USD/4.6 million EUR). It is 1,405.4 sqm (15,123 sq ft), four stories tall in addition to the basement. The Salvation Army has operated a summer guesthouse in the “castle” for decades, as well as housing the regular down-town operations of the Salvation Army, including religious meetings and youth programs.
The Salvation Army Castle housed some of the first public Christmas Tree celebrations in Reykjavík, after it was built, and the first outdoor Christmas tree erected in Reykjavík stood outside its entrance in 1926. The tree, which was the predecessor of the Austurvöllur Christmas Trees, which have been a focal point of down town Christmas decorations since the 1940s, was 6.5 metres tall, and was decorated with electric lights.
The outreach programs, youth programs and religious operations of the Salvation Army in Reykjavík will be found a new, more suitable location outside the city centre. However, the Salvation Army Guesthouse, which has been known as one of the cheapest accommodation in downtown Reykjavík, will definitely disappear.
The house of the Salvation Army, commonly known as the “Army Castle” might soon be up for sale, the local news site visir.is reports. The building, which was built in 1916, and is thus 100 years old next year, is one of the landmarks in downtown Reykjavík. According to Icelandic law buildings are automatically protected when they reach 100 years. Any changes to a protected building must be reviewed by the relevant cultural preservation authorities.
Real estate agents the local news site visir.is interviewed argued the building would likely be seen as a potential hotel, and could fetch as much as 650 million ISK (5.1 million USD/4.6 million EUR). It is 1,405.4 sqm (15,123 sq ft), four stories tall in addition to the basement. The Salvation Army has operated a summer guesthouse in the “castle” for decades, as well as housing the regular down-town operations of the Salvation Army, including religious meetings and youth programs.
The Salvation Army Castle housed some of the first public Christmas Tree celebrations in Reykjavík, after it was built, and the first outdoor Christmas tree erected in Reykjavík stood outside its entrance in 1926. The tree, which was the predecessor of the Austurvöllur Christmas Trees, which have been a focal point of down town Christmas decorations since the 1940s, was 6.5 metres tall, and was decorated with electric lights.
The outreach programs, youth programs and religious operations of the Salvation Army in Reykjavík will be found a new, more suitable location outside the city centre. However, the Salvation Army Guesthouse, which has been known as one of the cheapest accommodation in downtown Reykjavík, will definitely disappear.
