Storting building

Storting building
Stortingsbygningen (Norwegian)
The front of the building
Location in Oslo
General information
Architectural style	Eclectic
Location	Oslo, Norway
Address	Karl Johans gate 22
Coordinates	59°54′47″N 10°44′24″E / 59.91306°N 10.74000°E / 59.91306; 10.74000
Current tenants	Parliament of Norway
Construction started	3 August 1860
Inaugurated	5 March 1866
Cost	957,332 kr
Design and construction
Architect	Emil Victor Langlet

The Storting building (Norwegian: Stortingsbygningen) is the seat of the Storting, the parliament of Norway, located in central Oslo. Located at 22 Karl Johans gate, it was taken into use on 5 March 1866 and was designed by the Swedish architect Emil Victor Langlet.

Following the establishment of the Parliament of Norway in 1814, which had happened at a private home belonging to Carsten Anker in Eidsvoll, the newly established legislature started meeting at Christiania lærde Skole at Tollbodgaten and Dronningsgate. From 1854, the legislature started using the grand hall at the Royal Frederick University. However, proposals of an own parliament building had arisen. The parliament voted down a government proposal to create such a building in 1833, but in 1836, the work to establish a permanent building started. Twelve lots in central Oslo, located between the Royal Palace and Oslo East Station. The government decided to build in the Palace Park, and this was passed by the parliament. However, instead the government chose to purchase the current lot instead. This was approved by parliament in 1857.

The next discussion was related to the architecture. Several proposals were made, and twelve of these have been preserved. A design competition was initiated in 1856, and this was won by the architects Heinrich Ernst Schirmer and Wilhelm von Hanno. However, the Storting decided to reject the proposal because it looked too much like a church. Instead, a proposal from the Swedish architect Emil Victor Langlet was chosen with 59 against 47 votes on 18 May 1860. Construction started on 3 August 1860, and the cornerstone was laid on 10 October 1861. The building cost 957,332 kr. The parliament moved in on 5 March 1866.