The Bjørvika urban development project is perhaps the largest urban development project in Oslo (and Norway) for decades. The area in question comprises the land owned by the Norwegian National Railway adjacent to Oslo Central train station and the neighboring dock areas controlled by the Oslo Port Authority. The development is ongoing, and has now moved well into the first building phase, which includes the recently opened and acclaimed opera building and several prestigious office buildings.
Vogt & Wiig was originally involved in this project as an advisor to the Norwegian National Railway (“NSB”) and Linstow AS, by setting up a joint venture model for the property development in the form of the company OSU AS, thereby teaming together the property development expertise of Linstow AS with the large property owner NSB. The joint venture model designed by Vogt & Wiig has subsequently been used by NSB for urban development projects in other cities. The joint venture OSU AS has later been expanded to include also the properties owned by Oslo Port Authority, in the new joint venture Bjørvika Utvikling AS. Vogt & Wiig has also, as part of the project, advised the participants on the structure and organization of the investments in infrastructure in connection with the development, including the formation of a separate infrastructure company – Bjørvika Infrastruktur AS.
We have been heavily involved in this development and have assisted with planning, structuring, company formation, shareholders agreements, contracts with State and local municipalities etc.
Handled by: Bjørn H. Kise