This morning, Jón Gnarr officiated the reconstruction of three new buildings situated on the corner of Laekjargata 2 and Austurstræti 22 in the center of Reykjavík.
In April 2007, a fire started in Austurstræti 22 where the Tourist Information Center was situated and spread to Laekjargata 2; Austurstraeti 22 burned to the ground and Lækjargata 2 was left in ruins.
From the fire on Laekjargata and Austurstraeti. Photy by Páll Stefánsson.
In order to preserve the 19th century architecture of the corner, the new buildings are a reconstruction of the original three; they are city properties.
Yesterday, the city council decided to grant ISK 600.000 (an estimated USD 5250 or EUR 3600) to Samtökin Midborgin, an organization dedicated to the improvement of Reykjavík’s center.
According to Morgunbladid, the money is intended to prepare plans to close down Laugavegur to traffic from Vatnastígur to Skólavördustígur and make it available to pedestrians only until August 1.
The opening today also marks the first partial closure of Laugavegur.
