Ambassador's Residence
The Ambassador’s Residence in Oslo; Villa Otium, built in 1911, was
designed by renowned Norwegian architect Henrik Bull for Hans Andreas
Olsen, the Norwegian Consul General at St. Petersburg and his wife
Ester, the niece of Alfred Nobel. The building’s grand scale and opulent
detail speak of the wealth the family acquired in the petroleum
business in Czarist Russia. Mr. Olsen and his family moved in around
Easter of 1912. The United States Embassy to Norway has therefore chosen
to celebrate 2012 as the 100th anniversary of the house, and in this
connection produced a commemorative booklet (PDF - 1.9 MB).
The
three-story villa is stylistically Art Nouveau, or Jugendstyle. The
asymmetrical, yet balanced composition is elegantly drafted. Bull, who
also designed the National Theater and the Historical Museum in Oslo,
was Norway’s leading architect at the turn of the nineteenth century.
The Villa Otium represents his most important residence.
The
surrounding garden preserves the connection of architecture and nature
even though now reduced in size by three-quarters. The property
comprises the old “Otium,” or park meant for leisure. Mrs. Olsen sold
the property to the United States Government in 1923 — the $125,000
price reportedly making it the most expensive American residence abroad
at the time and requiring Congressional approval. The United States
Legation moved to its new home in January of 1924. A significant portion
of its furnishings was purchased from Jacques Bodart in Paris.
The Norwegian Preservation Agency has identified the Villa Otium as significant historical architecture.
Source:
Department of State publication “The Secretary of State's Register of
Culturally Significant Property: Selected Property Briefs” (PDF - 4 MB) and U.S.
Embassy Oslo produced booklet “Villa Otium: A Diplomatic Home” (PDF - 1.9 MB).
Villa Otium Book
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In 2012, the Ambassador's Residence Villa Otium celebrated its 100th
year anniversary. Download the Villa Otium 100th year celebration book here. (PDF - 1.9 MB)