Det engelske kvarter, 19th century residential complex in Solli, Norway
Det engelske kvarter is a residential complex comprising three main buildings, with a central two-story structure housing seven villas and two three-story buildings flanking each side. The apartments featured modern amenities for their time, including central heating, private bathrooms, and running water systems.
Architects Paul Due and Bernhard Steckmest designed and built this residential development between 1882 and 1886 on the former Solli estate. The project emerged during a period of urban growth in Oslo and reflected new standards for residential comfort and modern living in Scandinavia.
The architecture reflects French Renaissance influences with high roofs and ornate facade decorations inspired by Mansart. Each residence had its own separate entrance, a design that shaped the name 'English Quarter' and offered a different living approach compared to typical European apartment buildings.
The complex is located in the Solli district and is best explored on foot to fully appreciate its architecture and layout. Visitors should take time to walk around the buildings to observe the facade details and the arrangement of individual entrances that define the quarter.
The quarter was an early application of Scandinavian interpretation of British housing concepts, where individual houses within a larger complex maintained their own identity. This blend of British design thinking and northern European building materials made it a noteworthy experiment in residential architecture.
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