Sjömanskyrkan in Gothenburg has been sold

Sjömansgården AB, which is part of Gothenburg’s 4D bygg group, will take over Sjömanskyrkan in Amerikagatan. The foundation and the construction company will announce it together on Wednesday.

The news comes after a year the church was closed due to a terrible economy and debate has raged on leaders’ pages and social media about the future of the Church of the Sailors.

4D bygg says they now want to carry out a tasteful restoration and find long-term tenants who can recreate the feature that has been on ice for the year.

– If we look at tenants, we cannot simply optimize the income side. We believe that if this can be good for the area, the property, Gothenburg, it can also be good for us in the long run. I’m not saying it naively. But we are a commercial actor. But we believe that Gothenburg is also growing in that direction.

You want to tastefully restore

The 4D build is unfamiliar with handling older environments. For example, they are involved in the debate on the reconstruction of Skansberget.

When it comes to Sjömanskyrkan, the idea is above all to put a lot of effort into the functions. The building will be adapted for accessibility, ventilation will be updated and some surface layers will be treated.

– We want to restore very tasteful. We go in and make a relatively big effort, but perhaps not as visible, and we do it together with antique dealers and architects, says Fredrik Nyman.

READ MORE: The deal that brought Sjömanskyrkan down

I understand that you are also interested in the building being used in the same way as before. Is that so? There are many who are passionate about, for example, Kuling coffee.

– The place is very well adapted for this type of business. Then you can complement it with other things that attract people.

A relief for the foundation

The fact that the house has now been sold is a relief to the Sjömanskyrkan Foundation in the Diocese of Gothenburg. The foundation has long been plagued with significant financial problems and has had to lay off its entire staff. According to Christina Rogestam, president of the foundation, the board is very satisfied with the agreement.

READ MORE: We owe a coffee to the sailors in their beloved church

– This gives us the opportunity to clean up the economy and, on the part of the foundation, restart our social work. Both with the elderly who have had Sjömanskyrkan as a regular place to visit and with active sailors, says Christina Rogestam.

In the press release you came out with, you can read a bit between the lines that you will continue to rent on Sjömanskyrkan. Is that so?

– On the one hand, there is probably an opportunity among the most relevant tenants to open up to activities of the same type as us. Then we hope to rent and have people there during a transition period.

I understand that you are happy to have your finances in order, but isn’t it a little sad that you no longer own the house?

– It is a fantastic house. So, in a way, of course it is. On the other hand, the foundation did not have the opportunity to handle it otherwise. Afterwards, getting a buyer like 4D Bygg who wants to work with the house and produce the fine parts feels great, says Christina Rogestam.

READ MORE: Gothenburg profiles want to save Sjömanskyrkan

Has been closed for a year

Sjömanskyrkan has been closed for the year. During the fall and winter, the pastorate of Carl Johan will be rented in Sjömanskyrkan. Otherwise, everything is down.

Starting next year, 4D bygg will take over and begin its restoration. Then it should also be clear who will rent the house.

One potential problem in the future is the city’s plans for a tunnel or bridge over the river, which could mean that Sjömanskyrkan has to be demolished. what do you think about it?

– We know that discussion well. We know as little as everyone else. But we are absolutely aware of the different options. We also run the risk of ordering the property, says Fredrik Nyman.