Vestre Thriving at the Former Veterinary College

“There’s both calm and life here. We love the area – it feels continental, with students, retirees, and children side by side. This is a great home for us, and we can sense it from the guests who come to visit,” says Bjørn Fjellstad, CEO of Vestre.

Part of the Transformation
Vestre has gathered its team of 25 employees in functional, single-level premises on the third floor. The space is designed for cross-disciplinary collaboration and an open way of working. The fact that “Department of Fish Health” is still written on the back door only adds to the charm.

“The history lives in the walls, and we want to carry it forward. Our employees have already settled in at the Former Veterinary College. We see it every day – people are happy, they come to the office, and they really enjoy both the indoor and outdoor environment here. We’ve also contributed with our own furniture in the Bylivshagen (City Life Garden) and are frequent visitors there and at Jubel.”

For Vestre, it is important to be part of something bigger.

“This place has enormous potential. We are passionate about inclusive environments and want to help make the area a fantastic venue for events and activities. We’re looking forward to festivals, engaging with the local community, and being good neighbors.”

A Brand with Strong Roots
The United States is Vestre’s largest market – the company has delivered furniture to Times Square in New York and Google’s headquarters in California, among others. And in mid-October, the company will participate at ASLA, the largest landscape architecture trade fair, in New Orleans.

“Vestre is a landscape architect’s dream. Our products can be ordered in over 220 colors, and the materials are galvanized steel and wood – genuine ‘Viking quality’ built to withstand the test of time. Good design lasts, and we are living proof that it works.”

Shared Goal of Reuse
Reuse has been a central principle in the design of the new office. Vestre has brought much from its previous office and combined it with furniture and elements already at the Former Veterinary College.

“Our lunch tables from the 1970s come from the Veterinary College. It’s great when furniture tells a story, when it’s not too shiny.”

Vestre has also reused, among other things, an old shelving system from the 1960s, which now serves as a display wall for Vestre’s many design awards. For Linstow, this is a good example of how reuse can become a natural part of the leasing process.

“We have emphasized reuse in all the premises we have rented out here at the Former Veterinary College. This is only possible through close cooperation with tenants. From the very first meeting, Vestre has been a driving force – by using furniture and materials from the space they moved into, and from the treasure trove represented by the other buildings here. In addition, we have sourced from other projects we manage elsewhere in Oslo,” says Nina Sillibakken, Leasing Manager at Linstow.

With Vestre in place, the Former Veterinary College has gained a tenant who values not only the premises but also the community, the history, and the opportunities ahead – perfectly in line with the company’s ambitions to create inclusive, sustainable environments.