- Bergen is the only place in the world with a mountain in the middle of the center. You have not been to Bergen until you have been to Ulriken643, says Christian Foss, who has recreated the icon Ulriksbanen.
Christian Foss has
Photo: Anne-Mette Landmark
A range of activities in Ulriken
Photo: Ulriken643
643 Bergener meters above sea level is the highest of Bergen's seven mountains; Ulriken. In addition to miles and miles of hiking trails, recently graded for all levels, you will meet a view far beyond the Norwegian borders - to the islands, fjords and mountains.
In 2009, Ulriken reopened in a heavily upgraded version. New is also the city's highest restaurant, "sky:skraperen" panoramic restaurant, where Chef Arthur is serving local food with the best ingredients.
The broker who focused in tourism
The man behind the new Ulriken is investor and project developer Christian Foss.
- I have done this out of love for my city and to Ulriken in particular. Here I earned my first dollars that made it possible to buy my first studio flat. Behind an investment for more than 30 million Norwegian kroner, was my heart more than my wallet. If I only thought about money, I would have invested them differently, says the young man who actually had ambitions to become a real estate agent.
His career kept for 45 minutes. Instead, he concentrated on tourism.
- I only got to show one appartment. Then I bought an old hotel in the city. I did not have enough time.
Wide rangee
The menu includes climbing and paragliding - or just a simple cup of coffee while enjoying the landscape behind the dramatic panoramic windows from floor to ceiling. A popular family activity is to find "animal tracks" with help of GPS, that you can rent. Then you can search for the tracks out in the nature.
- Our goal is that people shall enjoy the nature and maybe manage something different from what they do every day.
Ulriken for everyone
That - was no easy task, Foss emphasizes.
Much of the Bergener identity is solidified in the mountains, and in such contexts, one can expect commitment. During the restoration of the old gondolas, Foss wanted them to appear in gray aluminum, resulting in an avalanche of negative reactions. And the Bergeners got their way. Today, "Perle" and "Bruse" again shine in yellow and red - as they have done since 1960...
- One must be very humble to initiate such a project, Foss smiles.
Along the way he has consulted with several tourism councils and schools to create enthusiasm. In addition to deal with Bergener "opposition", Foss see it as a life mission to design an architecture and interior landscape that represents a wide range of offers.
- We want Ulriken to be modern but still traditional, which was an architectural challenge. Therefore, we chose solid Norwegian materials that fit in with the surrounding nature.
No pictures mark the walls. With panoramic windows, they create themselves. You get a feeling of sitting in the middle of nature, embraced with the comfortable warmth of a home, combined with peaceful freedom. The whole idea is based on innovation but with Norwegian origin as a foundation. Only the counter weighs 1.5 tons, and comes from a quarry in Sandviken.
- Details are important. There are no easy solutions. To demolish a building or to transport materials by helicopter in stiff breeze, offers real challenges up here. But I like to fulfill what I promise. Many wonder if I am a bit crazy.
Are you?
- I like challenges…