What Higab does

Higab is a municipal property company wholly owned by Göteborgs Stad (City of Gothenburg), Sweden, founded in 1966. It manages a portfolio of approximately 60 properties including 31 byggnadsminnen (heritage-designated buildings), with iconic assets such as Ullevi (Nordic region's largest concert arena, ~75,000 capacity), Feskekôrka (1874 fish hall, Dezeen Awards 2025 winner), Göteborgs konstmuseum, Kronhuset (1654 military warehouse), Barken Viking (1906 sailing ship operating as hotel), Rådhuset (city hall combining 1672 and 1936 architecture), Kulturhuset Bergsjön (2022 cultural center), and multiple historic estates. The company's mission is to preserve, maintain, and adaptively reuse historically significant buildings that define Gothenburg's identity.

Higab leases space to four primary tenant categories: cultural and creative tenants (museums, creative co-working concept Bagih, market halls), government agencies requiring office space in heritage properties, commercial food and retail operators (Feskekôrka, Stora Saluhallen, Barken Viking hospitality), and sports/event organizations (Ullevi). The company employs 101-250 staff across property management, technical operations, maintenance, project management, and heritage conservation functions, including specialized roles such as byggnadsantikvarie (building conservationist).

The business model is financed entirely through rental income, with no public subsidies. Rental levels are set by the city's ownership directive (ägardirektiv) decided by the municipal council (kommunfullmäktige), not by market pricing. Distribution is direct leasing via the company's own channels. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed. Current strategic priorities include the multi-year Arenakvarteret urban development (new multi-arena replacing Scandinavium, central bath, public spaces), Kretsloppsparken recycling center in Högsbo (completing 2027 with 49% reduced climate emissions), and ongoing heritage renovations including Kvibergs Kaserner and Viktoriahuset. The company underwent CEO succession in 2026 and is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2026.

Name

Higab

Legal name

Higab

Website

https://higab.se

Company type

Private

Founded year

1966

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Higab is a municipal property company wholly owned by the City of Gothenburg, Sweden, managing approximately 60 buildings — including 31 heritage-designated landmarks such as Ullevi arena, Feskekôrka fish hall, and Göteborgs konstmuseum — financed entirely through rental income from cultural, commercial, government, and sports tenants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Municipal Property Management

NAICS

Real Estate Property Managers (53131), Rental and Leasing Services (532), Corporate, Subsidiary, and Regional Managing Offices (551114)

SIC

Operators Of Nonresidential Buildings (6512), Real Estate Agents & Managers (For Others) (6531), Real Estate Operators (No Developers) & Lessors (6510)

akta.pro primary industry

Commercial/Office Owners Association Management (BPAJAHAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Association Maintenance, Vendor & Capital Project Management (BPAJAHAM), New Development / Declarant Transition Management (BPAJAHAK), Iconic Architecture & Signature Buildings (Cathedrals, Palaces, Castles) (THAJACAE)

Keywords

• Municipal property management
• Heritage building management
• Commercial property leasing
• Cultural property services
• Real estate development

Headquarters

HQ city

Gothenburg

HQ country

Sweden

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Rental income from tenants: Higab is a municipal property company owned 100% by Gothenburg City, financed entirely by rental income. This income funds the maintenance and development of buildings including Stora Saluhallen, Göteborgs konstmuseum, Barken Viking, and Ullevi.

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Higab is a municipal property company wholly owned by the City of Gothenburg (Göteborgs Stad) that owns, maintains, develops, and leases a portfolio of approximately 60 historically and culturally significant buildings across Gothenburg. The portfolio includes 31 heritage-designated buildings (byggnadsminnen) such as cultural venues, sports arenas, museums, market halls, government offices, and historic estates. The company finances its operations entirely through rental income from tenants and operates under a municipal ownership directive.

Product overview

Higab is a municipal real estate company wholly owned by the City of Gothenburg, managing approximately 60 buildings that 'make Gothenburg' - from iconic cultural venues to historic properties. The portfolio is diverse and includes: cultural landmarks (Göteborgs konstmuseum, Kulturhuset Bergsjön), sports arenas (Ullevi, Scandinavium), historic markets (Feskekôrka, Stora Saluhallen), government buildings (Rådhuset - city hall), heritage properties (Kronhuset, Kvibergsnäs Landeri), and creative spaces (Bagih at Kronhuset). The company also manages Barken Viking, a historic sailing ship operating as hotel/restaurant, and the Feskekôrka floating restaurant Pråmenaden. Major ongoing projects include the new Arena District (Arenakvarteret) development and Kretsloppsparken recycling center. Higab operates a network of 31 heritage-designated buildings and handles property management, tenant services, and development projects.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Kronhuset & Kronhusbodarna Gothenburg's second oldest building (1654), the best-preserved 17th-century structure in the city. Former military warehouse now home to the Bagih creative arena and Kronhusjul annual Christmas market. Listed building since 1968.
• Göteborgs konstmuseum Art museum at Götaplatsen containing works from the 1400s onward with the notable Fürstenberg collection. Building designated as heritage monument in 2017.
• Kulturhuset Bergsjön Multi-functional cultural centre in Bergsjön featuring library, story rooms, art studios, ceramics and music studios, and a stage for music, dance, and theater. Opened 2022.
• Ullevi Classic sports arena and the Nordic region's largest concert arena with capacity for approximately 75,000 people. Hosted major sporting events including 1995 World Championships in Athletics.
• Feskekôrka Iconic fish market building designed by Victor von Gegerfelt in neo-Gothic style inspired by Viking stave churches. Reopened in 2024 after comprehensive renovation. Building monument since 2013.
• Rådhuset (Gothenburg City Hall) City hall combining three architectural eras - a 1672 building by Nikodemus Tessin the Elder and a 1936 functionalist addition by Gunnar Asplund. Houses Gothenburg's municipal administration.
• Barken Viking Historic sailing ship built 1906 in Copenhagen, the largest sailing ship built in the Nordic countries at 108 meters. Now operates as a floating hotel and restaurant at Lilla Bommen.
• Seminarieparken Park in Annedal established in the 1860s as a school garden. Underwent comprehensive restoration 2022-2023 with the goal of becoming 'the world's best park when it rains'.
• Kvibergsnäs Landeri The only manor in Gothenburg with preserved economic buildings from the 1750s. Houses association activities, offices, residences, and a preschool.
• Bagih Creative Arena Creative arena concept at Kronhuset offering co-working spaces, meeting rooms, and event spaces for creative industries through membership instead of traditional lease agreements. Also extends to Sockerbruket.
• Pråmenaden Floating Restaurant Floating restaurant at Feskekôrka extending operations over canal waters. Built on modern floating pier clad in Linax-treated wood, connecting the city's history with maritime proximity.
• Stora Saluhallen (Great Market Hall) Historic food hall in Gothenburg, featuring retail food vendors with a new evening event concept 'Sip & Sample' launched in 2026 featuring food and music as international-style food market experience.
• Evenemangsområdet (Arena District Development) Major urban development area from Ullevi to Svenska Mässan including new multi-arena to replace Scandinavium, smaller annex arena, central bath, housing, preschools, and public spaces.
• Kretsloppsparken Högsbo (Recycling Center) New recycling center in Högsbo with reuse shop, designed with 49% reduction in climate emissions through reused copper roof from Gothenburg City Museum, reused bricks, and climate-reduced concrete.
• Annedalshuset Historic building from 1876 saved from demolition in the 1970s. Now houses apartment museum with unique interiors and valuable original fittings, run by Annedalspojkar och flickor association.
• Lärjeholms Gård

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• reCreate Design CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 February 2019Higab partnered with reCreate Design Company to co-organise Cirkulära Tider – Gothenburg's sustainability days for building conservation, gardens, and lifestyle. This event was part of Higab's Västra Nordstan Revival development project.
• Rain GothenburgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigab collaborated with Rain Gothenburg to redevelop Seminarieparken, aiming to make it 'the world's best park when it rains'. The project combined history, tradition, and innovation as part of Gothenburg's 400th anniversary celebrations.
• StadskupancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigab partnered with Stadskupan to create the Mångfaldsgården (Diversity Garden) at Härlanda Park. Stadskupan engaged the social cooperative Vägen ut! to jointly develop and maintain the garden.
• White ArkitektercoreTechnology or IntegrationWhite Arkitekter won the architectural competition for the new Arena Quarter (Arenakvarteret) with the proposal 'Möta Göteborg', covering the new multi-arena to replace Scandinavium, a smaller arena, and surrounding public spaces. The team included Allies & Morrison, Arup International, Stadia Design and Sweco Sverige.
• Martin SariusminorOthersMartin Sarius joined Higab as a new technical property manager, bringing entrepreneurial experience from multiple property management roles.
• Emelie WallmarkminorOthersEmelie Wallmark joined Higab as a project manager working on diverse projects including Göteborgs konstmuseum expansion, the new Arena Quarter, and Kretsloppsparken in Högsbo.
• Årsredovisning 2018minorOthersHigab published its 2018 annual report with sustainability reporting, available as a downloadable document.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/higab.se
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/higab-ab
• Instagraminstagram.com/higab_se

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Higab