Reykjavík City will enter into a rental and development agreement with Worldwide Friends organization for Sunnutorg, located at Langholtsvegur 70. The building will be restored to its original form and will house educational activities focused on environmental issues.
Reykjavík City advertised for parties to develop Sunnutorg through tender no. 15893 on Sept. 22, 2023. No valid bids were received, so officials decided to negotiate directly with Worldwide Friends, which had submitted a bid after the deadline expired. This was approved by the City Executive Council today.
Education, organic market and art exhibitions
Worldwide Friends envisions Sunnutorg and its building as a place where neighborhood residents and other Reykjavík residents can learn about sustainability and related topics. The organization plans to invite students from neighborhood primary schools for educational visits, while also offering education for other groups. The building will be restored and operated by Worldwide Friends volunteers, who also plan to establish a market at Sunnutorg for organically grown products and create a space for artists to exhibit and possibly sell their art.
Worldwide Friends is expected to begin work on the building, which will be restored to its original form, within three months of signing the agreement, with operations starting no later than spring 2026. The organization will fully finance the development, and the lease term is 15 years. After this period, Worldwide Friends must return the property to Reykjavík City, and all permanent structures and additions will become city property at the end of the lease.