History

Teleline and Løitens line....
Grensen 10 is today a Restauranthouse on all levels. But the building has a long history - and noble drinks you could almost always buy here... 

Until 1924 our capital`s name was Kritiania, and before 1897 you wrote the name Christiania, named after king Christian IV, who in the 1600 century created the quadrat town around Akershus Festning. He also celebrated one of his birthdays by filling wine into the water well on Stortorvet and treat the whole town for a free party three days to an end...

The old Christiania was planned with military presicion, but taming a whole town is difficult. Around 1740 the tight order in Christiania was "disturbed" by suburbs, the first one was called Grændsen. The area became a hot spot for trading, and around 1840 Grensen became the towns vital center for business, officials, students and a growing herd of public clerks.

Liqueur and telephone....

In the middle of the 1800 century Christiania is growing and the buildings in Grensen becomes bigger and more extravagant. The so-called farmtrade business had to step aside for town architecture. In 1862/3 the brothers named Brødrene Wold built this building, and later it get`s refurbished to Grensen 10, where "Mona Lisa Huset" now has customers on four floors.

The architect Henrik Thrap-Meyer draws a regal estate in late classisicm, where the owner opens "Brødrene Wold Colonial Fedevare og Brændevinshandel". In 1880 the Wold-brothers ligueuers and champagnes get accompanied by a technological sensation: "International Bell Telephone Company" establishes the country`s first operating central on the floors above and Grensen 10 is all of the sudden the kingdoms most advanced building.

Working hours and serving

Thrap-Meyer drew Grensen 10 originally as two buildings: a farmhouse and a "pakk-house". In 1912 the owners decides for a more wholistic building. The job is given to architect Einar Engelstad, who unites the farmhouse and the "pakk-house" into one complex. In 1916 the World War 1 is on. In Kristiania the stock-market fever is racing and 17 year old bankers becomes millionaires over the night. But Grensen 10 is not in venture. The brother`s Wolds Colonial is still governing the house, where the towns upper class still get their truffles and wines. They have also started serving: Wilskow Restaurant - and Chr. F. Wullf has opened a exclusive perfume shop.

Meat in bad times....

Not even the World War 2 and new politics turns Grensen 10 upside down. But Wilskow Restaurant has not survived the "forbidden time". Now it`s Grensekafeén who serves people, a popular place that will excist for several generations to come. The house has become more crowdy and multiple: You find among other things "Den Norske Urimport", "Møbelhandlerens Landsforening" and the publisher for "Rutebok for Norge." In 1943 "Oslo Kjøtthandleres Forening" also moves into Grensen 10, even if the town don`t have much meat to hold meetings for this year....

Regulations

After World War 2 Norway becomes thoroughly regulated as a society, where the government keeps a hand over most things. The spirit of time reflects in Grensen 10, and in 1959 we find both "Prisutvalget for kjøtt og pølsevarer" and "Priskontrollen for kjøtt, flesk og pølsevarer". Both of these are control-organs for meat.

The balcony

Restaurant Mona Lisa was established in 1987 by owner N. Virani. Through the 1990`s is Grensen 10 been developed to a gigantic restaurant-house with 5 establishments on four floors. Not since the brothers Wold`s days has it happened so much with the buildings interior and exterior. One of the first exterior changes happpened in 1990; the "baldakinen" around the 1st floor was made into a balcony. First Virani was rejected when applying for the change, but he applyed again, while the bosses were on holiday. The young executive officer didn`t mind the balcony being made, and Virani hurried to finish it. When the instance had their experienced staff back, the new balcony was already made.

All year round Høybråten

The 1st of June 2004 it was no longer allowed to smoke in bars and restaurants in Norway. Mona Lisa Huset rescued it`s smoking customers with the outdoor terrace Høybråten, named after the minister who banned smoking in public places. Here Virani has invested heat in the floor and lamps that keep you warm even in the middle of the winter. It is probably the first time a Christian democrate has a restaurant named after him. Høybråten in Grensen 10 is a vital part of the streets in Oslo center. The buildings main restaurant "Mona Lisa" is popular with several politicians as guests.