Hotel Kung Carl is more than just Stockholm’s oldest hotel – it is living proof of how long-term vision and deep partnership can transform a city block. Through an extensive redevelopment, the hotel has now turned its face towards Stureplan, realising a dream that has been passed down through generations.

The story of Hotel Kung Carl began in 1866 at Brunkebergstorg, making it the oldest hotel name in the city still in operation. Since 1925, it has been housed in the iconic building at Stureplan, and since 1977, the Östlundh family has owned and developed the business.

For CEO Marcus Östlundh, history is ever-present. The walls are adorned with murals and portraits of legendary guests who have stayed here over the years – from Selma Lagerlöf and August Strindberg to Greta Garbo and modern icons like Börje Salming and Hugh Grant.

"We are immensely proud of our heritage. But when my parents took over in the 70s, the glory days were somewhat in the past and we only had about 50 rooms. Since then, we have expanded step-by-step within the property and today we offer 143 rooms, a jazz club, bars, and conference facilities," Marcus explains.

The pandemic and the decisive call

Despite years of growth, one piece of the puzzle was missing: the premises directly facing Stureplan. Throughout Marcus's childhood, his father had always said, "One day, those premises will be ours." However, that dream felt further away than ever when the pandemic hit in 2020.

"It was in June 2020, when the hotel was so empty we had to walk around flushing the floor drains to keep them from drying out, that Fabege called. They told us the opportunity to take over the Stureplan-facing premises had finally arrived. Expansion was the last thing on our minds at that moment, but Fabege truly wanted to give us the chance. They waited for us to be ready, and we found a solution that worked for both parties in the midst of the crisis. That says a lot about our relationship," says Marcus.

A Technical Breakthrough

The acquisition led to one of the hotel's most challenging projects ever: literally turning the hotel’s "face" toward Stureplan. It was a structural engineering feat that required close collaboration with Fabege and all involved contractors.

Shortly thereafter, another opportunity arose. When the hotel needed storage space for furniture during a 2023 renovation, they borrowed a unit on Kungsgatan. Marcus quickly realised that this space was also strategically vital. By buying out the existing pizzeria on the corner, the hotel finally secured the entire corner facing both Stureplan and Kungsgatan.

More Than Just a Landlord

The relationship between Marcus Östlundh and Fabege goes back a long way – Marcus was involved in opening The Winery Hotel, another profile project by Fabege.

"We and Fabege have so many years behind us. Regardless of the practical discussions that always arise in major projects, we see each other as good friends. We have fun together, and that commitment is evident throughout. Fabege is a partner that truly cares about our success," Marcus explains.

Setting Sights on the Future

Today, Hotel Kung Carl is a definitive landmark at Stureplan, but Marcus isn't finished yet. The focus is now on raising the bar even further to become a full-service hotel of international standing in every respect.

"We have made significant investments in the ground floor and public areas. Now, we are working hard to elevate the standard of our rooms and all common spaces, right down to the lifts. We want every guest to experience that unique blend of historic elegance and modern luxury that is the hallmark of Hotel Kung Carl," Marcus Östlundh concludes.