Norway-based private investor Watrium has signed a contract to renovate and refurbish the Oslo Atrium office building in Bjørvika, Norway.

The collaborative contract was awarded to Veidekke and is valued at approximately Nkr740m, exclusive of VAT. This was signed following the completion of the relevant interaction phase.

The Oslo Atrium was constructed for Watrium 20 years ago by Veidekke in collaboration with architect NIELSTORP+arkitekter. Both parties will now carry out major refurbishments that will bring the building up to date.

Veidekke Bygg Oslo department manager Rune Andersstuen said: “We appreciate the confidence shown in us and being awarded the contract.

“We have a thorough and good interaction phase behind us and look forward to cooperating further with Watrium and the users of the building.

“We particularly appreciate the assignment since this is a sustainable project and at the same time the largest contract to date for our rehab department.”

The atrium will serve as a sustainable commercial building, environmentally certified to the BREEAM In-Use Very Good level.

Along with district heating, a solar panel system is expected to be installed on the roof of the property.

This 36,000m² building will be transformed into a location with restaurants and other facilities on the ground floor.

Watrium's real estate investments manager Oscar Wilhelmsen said: “In addition to being a modern and future-oriented commercial building, our ambition is for Oslo Atrium to be an attractive meeting point for the public in Bjørvika where the use and atmosphere can be changed and adapted throughout the day.”

Construction has already begun, with completion anticipated for March 2025.

The contract is registered in Veidekke’s order book for this year's second quarter.