Melhustorget

Melhustorget is a shopping centre located in Melhus, in the Gauldalen region of Trøndelag county, Norway. It opened on 15 August 1984 on land at Lenajordet that had previously been a German military camp built during the occupation in 1940 and later used by the Norwegian Armed Forces until the 1970s. The land was owned by the Resell family, and the centre was initially operated by ASKO under a ten-year agreement, after which the Resell family took over. Over the following decades the centre changed ownership several times, including Trondheim næringsbygg in the late 1990s, KLP Eiendom in 2000, and Lars Sjømo in 2002. A major expansion and renovation in 2004 roughly doubled the centre's size and doubled its turnover. By 2011 Melhustorget had become the largest shopping centre in the Gauldalen region, with 28 shops, about 10,000 m² of retail space, and around 350 parking spaces. Its customers came mainly from Melhus, Klæbu, Midtre Gauldal and Skaun, as well as southern parts of Trondheim. Annual turnover was NOK 240 million in 2008, NOK 256 million in 2011, and NOK 260 million in 2012. In 2012 the owners planned a 7,000 m² expansion. In January 2023 a 60-metre construction crane collapsed onto the centre's roof, killing a woman working in a shoe shop on the second floor; the centre was closed and 300 employees were laid off. In autumn 2023 it was confirmed that the centre would be demolished during 2024. Meanwhile, the owners had begun building a new version of Melhustorget with 15,000 m² of retail space and 300 homes. The first new construction phase was completed in September 2023 and the second in April 2024, with a third phase in planning. The new centre offers a varied selection of shops, eateries and services, and is marketed as the largest shopping centre in the Gauldalen region.

Melhustorget was built on Lenajordet, a site that had previously been a German military camp constructed by the German occupiers in 1940. After the war, the Norwegian Ministry of Defence took over the camp, and for many years the Artillery had workshops and storage there, repairing guns and cannons. When the military closed the camp in the 1970s, new opportunities opened up for Melhus. The land was owned by the family of Osvald and Lilly Resell. Some of the old German buildings were demolished, but several garages in the south-eastern part remained until the 1990s. Melhustorget opened on Wednesday 15 August 1984. The agreement stipulated that ASKO would operate the centre for ten years, with the right to extend if relevant. After the ten years, the Resell family would take over. In the early years ASKO was very active and invested heavily in the new shopping centre. Gradually ASKO withdrew from daily operations and mainly received rent. The tenants early on formed the Melhustorget senterforening, which handled the operation of the centre. In the mid-1990s a smaller extension was made to the north-western part of the building. Towards the end of the 1990s, Trondheim næringsbygg took over ownership of the centre, with plans for extensive development to prevent increasing retail leakage to Tiller. In December 2000, however, Trondheim næringsbygg was acquired by KLP Eiendom, which prioritised its ongoing large projects at Lerkendal stadion and the new police headquarters in Trondheim over Melhustorget. In 2002 the centre was bought by Lars Sjømo for NOK 20 million. In 2004 the centre was extended and rebuilt, with construction costs totalling NOK 60 million. The renovation changed the centre's appearance considerably and made it about twice as large as it was in 1984. The expansion included the opening of a basement level with two shops. The new entrance on the south-eastern side quickly became the main entrance, and a larger parking area was built there. The 2004 expansion doubled the total turnover of the centre compared with the previous year. Nine new shops moved in after the expansion. In addition to the new businesses, the old shops also experienced increased turnover. By 2011 the centre had 28 shops, making it the largest in the Gauldalen region. The shopping centre had grown to 10,000 m² and had around 350 parking spaces on the north and south sides. Its customers came mainly from Melhus, Klæbu, Midtre Gauldal and Skaun, but a large proportion also came from southern parts of Trondheim. Total turnover was NOK 240 million in 2008, NOK 256 million in 2011, and NOK 260 million in 2012. In 2012 the owners planned to expand the centre by 7,000 square metres, including larger retail space and a new parking basement. On 6 January 2023, a 60-metre-high construction crane that had been erected in connection with the new building toppled and fell over the roof of Melhustorget. A woman working at Falkanger sko on the second floor was killed. There was strong south-easterly wind when the accident occurred. The centre had to be closed after the accident, and 300 employees were laid off. In autumn 2023 it was confirmed that the centre would be demolished during 2024. As of 2023, the owners had started building a new version of Melhustorget with 15,000 m² of retail space and 300 homes. The first phase was completed in September 2023 and the second in April 2024. Work is ongoing to start the third construction phase. The new Melhustorget is marketed as the largest shopping centre in the Gauldalen region, offering a good selection of shops for the whole family, eateries and services, with 200 parking spaces (including 2 hours free parking in the P-hus on the first floor and outdoor parking at the Melhusvegen / Per Bortens veg intersection).

• Melhustorget opens in Melhus, operated by ASKO under a ten-year agreement.

• A smaller extension is made to the north-western part of the building.

• Trondheim næringsbygg takes over ownership with plans for extensive development.

• Trondheim næringsbygg is acquired by KLP Eiendom, which deprioritises Melhustorget.

• Lars Sjømo buys the centre for NOK 20 million.

• Major expansion and renovation costing NOK 60 million roughly doubles the centre's size and turnover.

• Centre has 28 shops, 10,000 m² and around 350 parking spaces, becoming the largest in the Gauldalen region.

• Owners plan a 7,000 m² expansion with larger retail space and a new parking basement.

• A 60-metre construction crane collapses onto the roof, killing a worker; the centre closes and 300 employees are laid off.

• First phase of the new Melhustorget is completed.

• It is confirmed that the old centre will be demolished during 2024.

• Second phase of the new Melhustorget is completed.

The largest shopping centre in the Gauldalen region, offering a varied selection of shops, eateries and services in one place.

• Retail shops

  A varied selection of shops for the whole family.

• Eateries

  A good selection of eateries.

• Services

  Various services available at the centre.

• Parking

  200 parking spaces indoors and outdoors, with 2 hours free parking in the P-hus and outdoor parking.

1. 1Melhustorget official websitemelhustorget.no
2. 2Melhustorget - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Melhustorget - Wikipedia (Norwegian)no.wikipedia.org