PUB Department Store
A pioneering Stockholm retail landmark that defined urban shopping for over a century, PUB rose from a single merchant’s vision to become one of Sweden’s most iconic department stores before its transformation into a modern hotel.
At a glance
PUB occupied two buildings at Hötorget in Stockholm’s city center, anchoring one of the capital’s most vibrant commercial quarters. Named for founder Paul Urbanus Bergström, the store became synonymous with Swedish retail innovation and urban commerce.
History
Paul Urbanus Bergström established PUB in 1882, launching what would become one of Stockholm’s major department stores. The founder’s extensive real estate holdings in the area enabled rapid expansion, establishing the store as a cornerstone of local commerce.
Bergström’s death in 1934 marked a transition in ownership. Konsum Stockholm, a Swedish consumer association, assumed operations and stewardship of the landmark.
From the late 20th century onward, the building’s upper four storeys were repurposed as hotel space. What began as the Rica Hotel Kungsgatan evolved into the Scandic Hotel Kungsgatan. In 2015, closure of the final retail operations was announced, with plans to convert the entire structure into the Scandic Hotel Haymarket.
What you see
PUB occupied two interconnected buildings in central Stockholm’s commercial district, their scale and prominence reflecting the ambitions of late 19th-century urban retail design.
Cultural significance
PUB represented a transformative era in Swedish commerce, embodying the rise of the modern department store and its role in shaping urban public life. The store’s longevity—spanning 133 years—testifies to the enduring appeal of its location and the evolution of Stockholm itself.
Key facts
- Country: Sweden
- City: Stockholm
- Founded: 1882
- Founder: Paul Urbanus Bergström
- Coordinates: 59.33444444, 18.06111111
- Location: Hötorget, Stockholm city center
- Final retail closure announced: 2015
Practical information & getting there
The site is located in central Stockholm at Hötorget. The building now operates as the Scandic Hotel Haymarket and is accessible via Stockholm’s public transport network.
Sources & resources
Find it on the map
See this place and what’s around it →📷 Diventa un fotografo di Cultural Heritage Online
Condividi le tue foto dei luoghi: restano pubblicate con la tua firma come autore. Più vengono viste, più ti fai conoscere — e presto un concorso premierà le foto più apprezzate.
Accedi o registrati gratis per aggiungere una foto