Sepac - Old Residential Houses

The Factor’s House in Nedstikaupstaður in Isafjordur is one of Iceland’s oldest residences. Originally built in 1765 by Danish merchants from the General Trading Company of Copenhagen, it is an example of the oldest types of residential buildings from the 18th century. The company took over the monopoly trade in Iceland in 1764 and built fine residential houses in several trading places in Iceland. This house is named after the store managers in Isafjordur who were called factors and lived on the premises.

The Factor’s House is a bungalow with an attic and two dormers, originally a type of log house. By the middle of the 19th century it was restored with a new exterior cladding and given the appearance of a different architectural style. Later, renovations were made in consultation with the National Committee on Architectural Heritage based on the 19th century renovations. The Municipality of Isajordur owns and leases the house. It is still used as a residence and is therefore one of the oldest, if not the oldest, house in Iceland which has been in continuous residential use since the beginning. It is not a part of the Westfjord Heritage Museum, even if its location may suggest this.