OUR HISTORY

A home to the big emotions – since 1918

In the heart of Oslo stands Hotel Christiania Teater, a historic landmark with a dramatic past.
Here, where culture and city life converge, the grand building on Stortingsgata has housed everything from opera and revue to cinema and wartime history. Today, the story continues within its walls – as a hotel, theatre, restaurant and bar.

Let us take you behind the curtain and share our story – from its beginnings in 1918 to the present day.

Opera Comique

Stortingsgata 16, designed by architect Henry Fearnley Coll in collaboration with Danish architect Hack Kampmann, opened as Opera Comique in 1918. Before that, Café Cardinal stood on the site, but it was torn down to make room for the new theatre. It was here that world-renowned opera singer Kirsten Flagstad began her career.

Casino

Just three years later, in 1921, the building took on new life as a revue and operetta theatre under the name Casino. Swedish revue king Ernst Rolf dazzled audiences with lavish Norwegian versions of his famous productions – filled with song, dance, extravagant costumes, and glittering stage shows.

Oslo Kinematografer

In 1928, the venue was taken over by Oslo Kinomatografer (Oslo Cinemas), but three years later the building was severely damaged by a fire. It was subsequently reconstructed in Nordic Neo-Renaissance style by Henry Fearnley Coll and Hack Kampmann.

Die Deutches Theater

During the German occupation of Norway, the building served as headquarters for Nazi propaganda and operated under the name Die Deutsches Theater. Here, Reichskommissar Josef Terboven held regular briefings for German troops. Major alterations were made to the theatre, including an extension to the stage and a private box on the balcony for Terboven.

Det Norske Teateret

After World War II, in 1945, Det Norske Teatret moved into the building and remained there until 1985. During this period, the theatre staged numerous classic and contemporary productions, including musical successes like Oklahoma! in 1949 and West Side Story in 1965, both of which premiered in Norwegian Nynorsk for the first time.

Filmteateret

The building was later reclaimed by Oslo Kinematografer and renamed Filmteatret. After renovations led by architect Kjell Castberg Voss, the cinema reopened in 1985 with Ran – a grand Japanese film based on Shakespeare’s King Lear. Filmteatret became a venue for quality films with strong appeal to adult audiences and hosted several important milestones, such as the centenary celebration of cinema in Norway.

Hotel Christiania Teater

In 2006, the building was named Christiania Teater, and by 2010, it had been converted into a hotel under the DoubleTree by Hilton brand. In 2014, Petter Stordalen acquired the property, and Hotel Christiania Teater as we know it today was established. Since then, Stortingsgata 16 has balanced many roles – as a welcoming boutique hotel, a spectacular theatre, a lively bar, and a tasteful restaurant.

Stortingsgata 16 was officially protected by the Directorate for Cultural Heritage in 2015. In 2022, the building was acquired by Eiendomsspar, led by Christian Ringnes. The following year, a major renovation began, with an investment of NOK 60 million. The upgrade included the renovation of more than 100 rooms, the development of new rooms, and enhancements to both interior and exterior façades.

Today, Hotel Christiania Teater is part of Strawberry, as an independent hotel within the Nordic Hotels & Resorts collection – where historical soul meets modern comfort, and unforgettable moments take center stage in the heart of Oslo.