VETTAKOLLEN: – Of course it’s sad. We children have had a wonderful upbringing here, and my mother lived here until recently. Now we hope that another family will enjoy the property as much as we have had, says Karl Otto Haraldsen (62), the queen’s nephew, to Børsen.
THE KING AT HAUGEN: Karl Otto Haraldsen and his sisters recently inherited their parents’ architect-designed luxury villa on top of Vettakollen in Oslo. Now the sibling group has decided to sell. Photo: Lars Eivind Bones / Dagbladet
view more
In mid-July Lis Ingeborg Haraldsen, Queen Sonja’s sister-in-law, passed away – 87 years old. She left behind three grown children, who together inherited their parents’ long-standing home – a luxury villa in fashionable Stjerneveien in Oslo.
Advertiser Content
–
Even IT experts can be fooled
–
Now the sibling group has decided that the home will be sold. Pgiant estimate is set at a staggering 52 million kroner.
LUXURY AREA: In Stjerneveien on Vettakollen, there are dense residential buildings, but the properties are largely undisturbed. Photo: Carsten Müller / ZOvenfra AS
view more
– We are all long established on each of our edges, and do not see a need to move. It will be too heavy and extensive, Karl Otto explains, as he receives the Stock Exchange in the villa’s conservatory, with an elongated city view in the background.
– Lots of sociability
The home itself – which is spread over three floors and has a primary room of 243 square meters – boasts four bedrooms, an outdoor pool, garden room, and a garage with space for two cars.
THE DINING ROOM: Lis Ingeborg Haraldsen lived in Stjerneveien until her death. The children, for their part, have not lived in the house for 40 years. Photo: Carsten Müller / ZOvenfra AS
view more
BEDROOM: According to real estate agent Nils Nordvik, the general buyer will spend between 5-10 million on upgrades to the home. Photo: Carsten Müller / ZOvenfra AS
view more
GOLD DETAILS: The bathroom was refurbished in 2000 and includes a whirlpool tub. Photo: ZOvenfra
view more
Surrounded by dense residential buildings and “old money”, real estate agent Nils Nordvik goes so far as to claim that the home has the best location on Stjerneveien. There is also little doubt that the close bond with the Norwegian royal family has contributed to stories in the walls.
Røkke jr. will take hold of the luxury cabin
– It has been a very social and open home, with lots of guests in and out. Mom and Dad were very social beings, so there has been a lot of sociability, which you probably understand, says Karl Otto, before he turns and points to the pool area just below.
– Especially the pool and conservatory have been used diligently, he says and smiles.
SOCIAL COLLECTION POINT FOR ROYALS ?: The plot, which is about 1.7 meters, has both a pool and a view of the capital. Karl Otto confirms that the outdoor area has been used extensively, but will not state the guest list. Photo:
view more
RELATED TO THE POOL: The conservatory has both a fireplace and its own dressing room. Photo: ZOvenfra
view more
– What about royal guests?
– I can say that we are very lucky to have Sonja as an aunt. She is very good at gathering the family. Our extended family may have been more united than others. Then you get to draw your conclusions from that, says Karl Otto and laughs.
THE QUEEN’S NEIGHBOR: Karl Otto Haraldsen is listed as one of three salesmen in Stjerneveien. Here he is pictured with Lene Haraldsen – whom he married in 2007. The two were at the Palace in connection with King Harald’s 70th birthday. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB
view more
– Lots of life and stir
It appears from public documents that Queen Sonja’s brother, Haakon Haraldsen, bought the property in 1960. According to his son, the purchase price was 3-400 000 kroner, which also – as Karl Otto puts it – “was a lot of money at the time”.
Advertiser Content
–
Pay less, get more!
–
– The house was under construction when my father found it. We have worn our little children’s shoes here, and have been very privileged to grow up in such a place. I moved out when I was around 19-20 years old, but I remember well that there was a lot of life and stir when I lived here as a young person.
LIVING ROOM: This is the top floor of the home. According to Karl Otto Haraldsen, the grand piano on the right in his picture was his father, and was frequently used. Photo: ZOvenfra
view more
Haakon, who among other things was the sponsor of Princess Märtha Louise (50), left away in October 2016. He turned 95 years old.
The year after Haakon’s death, the property was transferred free of charge to his wife Lis.
LEFT HERITAGE: Haakon Haraldsen and his wife Lis Haraldsen lived large parts of their lives in Stjerneveien. The couple died five years apart – in 2016 and in 2021. The two are pictured here on the castle balcony in 2012. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB
view more
Do not want developer
– Not everyone can buy such a property. Who is the target group here?
– At this level, it is often families who have children who are established in this area, ie Hemingland, as I call it. There may also be financiers, who want to acquire a gem of a location in the ultimate part of Vettakollen. Beyond this, there are plenty of people with large fortunes in this country, says broker Nordvik.
Fast food king sold luxury palace
– But if there should be a developer with bulldozers and throw 52 million on the table, it will be rejected?
– Most likely we will reject it, yes, Karl Otto shoots in.
– Oh my
He continues:
– There are a lot of emotions associated with this property. You can hardly find a better place to grow up. Then I think you world how wonderful it would have been to bring in a family with young children who can experience the same.
– Were you and your siblings in agreement in the decision to sell?
– Yes, even though it is sad, all three agreed that we are fine where we live today. So then this became a natural outcome.
The sons take over the luxury cabins
Even with a price estimate of NOK 52 million, a buyer can calculate additional costs of having the home upgraded to the current standard.
– Most people who buy in this price range make upgrades according to their own needs. A buyer generally spends between 5-10 million on renovations to get it the way they want. In return, you secure a fantastic property, and a completely unique plot, says Nordvik.
–
