Villa Voksenhus

Villa Voksenhus is a magnificent and historic estate located at Voksenkollveien 14A, high up on Voksenåsen in the Vestre Aker district of Oslo. Completed in 1920, this towering masonry villa was designed by the renowned architect Carl Berner, a central figure in Norwegian architectural history. The building is a prime example of the National Neo-Baroque style, an architectural movement characterized by its weight, solidity, and classical proportions, which perfectly complement the steep, forested landscape and its sweeping views of the capital. The villa was originally custom-built as a private residence for the prominent industrialist Peter Mathias Bretanus Røwde, best known as the founder of Askim Gummivarefabrik—the company that made Viking rubber boots and tires a household name in Norway. Røwde spent the remainder of his life in this grand home, leaving a lasting mark on the property. In modern times, Villa Voksenhus is perhaps most closely associated with the Norwegian billionaire and businessman Stein Erik Hagen, who purchased the estate in 1992. Over the years, Hagen has invested significant resources into renovating, expanding, and modernizing both the main house and the massive surrounding parklands, adding extensive security systems and private spa facilities while carefully preserving the site's historical and architectural integrity. Today, the estate stands as one of Oslo's most exclusive and spectacular private residences, serving as an impressive landmark that bridges a century of Norwegian industrial and financial history.