Parkveien 45

Infobox Historic building


caption=
name=Parkveien 45 or 'Villa Parafina'
location_town=Parkveien 45, Oslo
location_country=Norway
architect=Henrik Nissen
client=Fredrik Sundt
engineer=
construction_start_date=1895?
completion_date=1877
date_demolished=
cost=
structural_system=
style=Italian classical revival |

Parkveien 45 or "Villa Parafina", is currently the foreign dignitary guest house in Oslo, the capital of Norway. Parkveien 45 used to be the official residence of the Prime Minister of Norway, but has not been used as such for many years. The Prime minister's safety has in later years become an important issue, and has led to the idea of an official residence again. Along with two other governmental buildings of similar style neighbouring it, Parkveien 45 is now under planning and rebuilding to resume its duty as the Prime Minister's residence. In the autumn of 2008 the Prime Minister will move in with his family, and the country will again have a Prime Minister with an official residence.

History

The house was originally built as a private residence for Fredrik Sundt, a businessman importing paraffin oil, hence the popular name of the house 'Villa Parafina'. The villa was purchased by the Norwegian government in 1896. From 1898 to 1907 it was used as the residence for the Prime Minister of Norway. The house is important in the history of Norway's independence negotiations with Sweden in 1905.

ee also

*Government of Norway
*List of Norwegian Prime Ministers