The development of Södra City – a new district in central Uppsala featuring offices, housing, hotels, public meeting spaces, and green areas – has been underway for some time. This urban initiative is being carried out in close collaboration with the Municipality of Uppsala and aims to connect the city center in the north with the residential area of Kungsängen in the south, while also creating a new linkage between Uppsala Central Station to the east and the Fyris River to the west.

Three office buildings – Juvelen, Magasin X, and Lumi – are already established in the area. Recently, the sale of residential development rights for approximately 400 new housing units was also finalized. With the leasing agreement with Scandic and the initiation of the Hjärta project, yet another significant step is being taken in the transformation of the Södra City district.

Hjärta comprises just under 20,000 square meters of lettable area, distributed across two interconnected buildings sharing a main entrance and lobby. One of the buildings will house approximately 10,600 square meters of hotel space, equal to about 235 rooms across eight floors. The second building will consist of approximately 7,500 square meters of office space spread over six floors. The aim is for Hjärta to become a vibrant hub for meetings and contribute to the flow, energy, and life of the area.

“Hjärta will be a place that attracts people around the clock – both those working nearby and those passing through the district. Scandic plays a vital role in this, and its presence will contribute positively to bringing Södra City to life. Through the development of Södra City, we are enabling Uppsala’s continued growth. Our ambition is to create a lively and engaging district where both businesses and people want to be,” says Martin Kron, Head of Investments and Projects at Vasakronan.

The lease with Scandic means that Hjärta will reach a pre-letting rate of approximately 60 percent at the time of construction start. Groundbreaking for the project is scheduled for autumn 2025, with completion and occupancy expected in the first half of 2028. The property will be environmentally certified under the LEED system, with the goal of achieving the highest rating: Platinum.

The total investment in Hjärta amounts to SEK 925 million.