First spadeful for major development

The largest development in Hafnarfjörður's city centre in decades

The first sod was cut today for an ambitious development in the centre of Hafnarfjörður, on the site of the former Hafnarfjarðarbíó and Kaupfélag Hafnarfjarðar. The development is being undertaken by the company 220 Fjörður ehf., which is also the largest shareholder in the Firði shopping centre. Once completed, the new building, which will be around 9,000 m², housing shops and services on the ground floor connecting Strandgata to the shopping centre, a modern library, a public park on the 2nd floor accessible from Strandgata, elegant flats and hotel flats. The building site has been merged with Fjarðargata 13-15, and the main plans were approved at the end of September. Construction will take at least two years. The first sod was cut by Mayor Rósa, Benedikt Rúnar Steingrímsson and Haraldur R Jónsson, board members of 220 Fjarðar ehf.

First spadeful taken for the new Firði, the most extensive development in Hafnarfjörður's city centre for decades. 

„A new building opens up opportunities and possibilities for a wider range of shops and services in the centre of Hafnarfjörður. We want to continue to build a vibrant and thriving town that warmly welcomes a growing number of residents and visitors from far and wide. The arrival of a new building in this unique location in the heart of Hafnarfjörður is an important boost for businesses and services in the municipality.“  says Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir.

Development and services that promote a vibrant city centre

Preparations for the works have been underway for some time, and groundworks will begin shortly, where a car park will be excavated beneath the building. The construction of the building will be carried out mainly in 2023, and it is expected to be ready for use by the end of 2024, with the work continuing into 2025. This project responds to the call from residents, the City of Hafnarfjörður, and local businesses for a low-cost grocery store in the town centre, green spaces, and a design that promotes a vibrant town centre. Particular attention has been paid to ensuring a good mix of retail, service and residential uses.

Hafnarfjörður residents have big dreams for their town library.

It was at the end of 2020 that the Hafnarfjörður Town Council approved the relocation of the Hafnarfjörður Library from its current premises at Strandgata 1 to this new building, and at the same time to rethink the library's role and purpose with the diverse needs of its users in mind. Ahead for the City of Hafnarfjörður is a mapping of the changing role and multifaceted purpose of libraries, looking to popular libraries in, for example, the Nordic countries.„Now that the groundbreaking has taken place and we see the project getting underway, we can start to take the next steps in designing the library of the future here in Hafnarfjörður.“ says Rósa.

A survey of Hafnarfjörður residents about the library of the future yielded ideas such as a café, a play area, comfortable lounges and extended opening hours.  A focus in new libraries today is on providing access to equipment, as well as a good selection of reading and recreational materials, equipment and facilities that are generally expensive to purchase, such as 3D printers and vinyl cutters, sewing machines and recording facilities. An indication of this increased service can already be found at Hafnarfjörður Library. New single-storey premises at the same time offers great potential to serve visitors much better, and a larger, more open multi-purpose hall would be well-suited for a variety of events, presentations, meetings and entertainment. The library receives around 125,000 visitors of all ages annually.