Grünerløkka

Infobox_Bydel
name=Grünerløkka
idnumber=030102
city=Oslo
capital=
governor=
governor_as_of=
arearank=
area=4.75
areapercent=
population_as_of=2004
populationrank=
population=35,163
populationpercent=
populationdensity=7403




webpage=www.bydel-grunerlokka.oslo.kommune.no

Grünerløkka is a borough of the city of Oslo, Norway. Grünerløkka became part of the city of Oslo (then Christiania) in 1858.

Grünerløkka was named after Friedrich Grüner who bought a mill in the area from king Christian V of Denmark in 1672. During the 19th century, Grünerløkka became a working class area. Several factories were placed here, because of the advantages of being located close to the Akerselva river. Christiania Seildugsfabrikk from 1856 and Aktieselskapet Herkules from 1898 were two of the factories established. Thorvald Meyer bought parts of the Grünerløkka area in 1861. He built the main street of Grünerløkka, called Thorvald Meyers gate.

In 1866, Grünerløkka (Paulus parish) had a total population of 13 600. In 1900 the number had risen to 22 000. At that time, only 5 streets in Oslo had a population above 3000. Of these, three were located in Grünerløkka: Markveien, Thorvald Meyers gate and Toftes gate (note: gate means street in Norwegian).

In 1864, a sq. meter was priced at about 30 Norwegian shilling (Norwegian monetary unit at that time). Selling of land property started the year after 1864, though. Even if the land owner, Thorvald Meyer, offered low-priced land, almost no-one bought any of it until after 1868.

The park square called Olaf Ryes plass (pictured below), has its name from general Rye. It was an open field well out into the 1880s. The field was bought by Oslo kommune from the Grüner family for 10 000 N.Kr. in 1883. A narrow diagonal street was built, which led from Markveien to Thorvald Meyers gate. It had a stopping point for horse and carriage at the middle point. This small piece of street, through what is now a pedestrian park square, remained until far out in the 1930s.

Grünerløkka in modern times

During the last decades the industry have moved out of the area. Today, Grünerløkka is dotted with small cafés, pubs and parks. The area around the built-up park, Birkelunden, has been given a "historical zone" status and cannot be visibly rebuilt or modified. Grünerløkka is one of the most popular places for young people in Oslo to live. With its central location and nice atmosphere the property prices have surged and are among the highest in the country (almost as high as in the exclusive parts like Frogner and Majorstua). Grünerløkka of today is one of the most vibrant areas of the city, a place full of life both during the day and at night.

In the municipal election of 2007 all borough councils became elective, until then most had been appointed by the city council. Labour became the largest party with 5 representatives, the Socialist Left have 3, the Conservatives, Liberals and the Red Electoral Allince 2 each, and the Progress party 1.