The story of Hotell Vic begins about 150 years ago. At that time, Porsgrunn was divided by the river, with an east side and a west side. Crossing the river required a boat or ferry, or walking over the ice during cold winters. The bridge across the river wasn’t completed until 1894.

The river was, in many ways, Porsgrunn’s lifeblood, with shipping playing a central role in the city’s economy. It connected the town to both nearby and distant regions, serving as the city’s harbor and a natural gathering spot for residents. Social class distinctions were clearly visible, with grand estates built by the city’s wealthiest and most powerful families on the east side, and more modest skipper’s houses with a more balanced social structure on the west.

History tells us that Porsgrunn in the 1800s was a city of grandeur. Large townhouses lined Storgata, often named after their owners. At Storgata 131 stood Gasmanngården, which previously housed a merchant’s shop and a distillery. The building burned down in 1824 but was later purchased and rebuilt by Consul Jens Gasmann.

After Gasmann’s death, the property was purchased by A.S Eidanger Bad and was renamed Victoria Hotell, with hotel owner Halvdan B. Nilsen as the host. From 1891, the estate operated fully as a hotel, with Nilsen managing it until his death in 1907. His surviving wife took over the operations until the hotel was sold again to Hans Sønderskow, who owned it until around 1949.

After the war, Porsgrunn lacked a proper hotel for many years. Central Hotel burned down in 1946, and Grand Hotel closed in 1950. This left only Victoria Hotell on Storgata. With just 36 beds, it did not meet the needs of the business community or the growing tourist traffic. As a result, it was decided to invest in Victoria Hotell, which was the city’s only accommodation option at the time. The hotel was outdated, old, and worn, and a major renovation was necessary to keep it running.

In 1947, the municipality, represented by the cinema, purchased Victoria Hotel for NOK 280,000, and the restoration work began. The purchase also included a 5-acre plot, well-suited for new construction.

In 1952, the City Council and Victoria Hotel agreed to reach out to the local business community to secure sufficient capital to complete the construction project. The city’s businesses supported the initiative, investing NOK 475,000. Porsgrunn Municipality contributed NOK 200,000, and the cinema added NOK 530,000.

It was decided that the municipality would not control more than 50% of the shares because the new hotel was meant to belong to the entire city. To emphasize this, all the city’s residents were invited by the newspaper PD to participate in a naming competition to give the new hotel a fresh name. The chosen name was Hotell Vic, which remains its name to this day.

Construction of Hotell Vic’s high-rise began in February 1955 and was completed on December 16, 1956. The hotel underwent a significant renovation, emerging as a new and modern establishment with 72 rooms and 100 beds. It also gained a long-awaited restaurant, a large dining hall with seating for 250 guests, and a dedicated dance restaurant.

A cafeteria, hair salon, and kiosk were added to the building, creating a natural gathering point in the city for residents and visiting guests. Over the years, the hotel has also hosted a bowling alley, pub, liquor store, bingo hall, travel agency, and office rentals, among other ventures.

Over the years, the hotel has undergone numerous changes to meet modern market demands and standards. The most recent major renovation took place in 2018. During this update, the reception, lounge, and all conference rooms were renovated. New furniture was added, along with two shuffleboards and a large screen in our lounge.

Our conference rooms were equipped with upgraded technical equipment, and we added a new fitness room with state-of-the-art equipment. Additionally, all guest rooms received a facelift with new colors, textiles, and furniture. Today, the hotel appears fresh and modern.

At Hotell Vic, we work daily to ensure our guests feel comfortable in our cozy hotel in Porsgrunn. Vic has a lot of soul and history within its walls and has been a natural gathering place in our city for over 100 years. We aim to continue that tradition, and you are welcome to join us on this journey!

• Porsgrunn’s History 2, 1840-1920. The City by the River by Ellen Schrumpf.
• Porsgrunn’s History 3, 1920-2000. The Port City of Heavy Industry by Jon Skeie.
• Victoria Hotell in Porsgrunn. Photo by Søtherskar, 1949. National Library of Norway.