The Office at Staðastaður
The president’s office is housed in a historic building called Staðastaður, located at Sóleyjargata 1 in Reykjavík.
The president and some of her staff have offices at Staðastaður. The office staff is responsible for organising events, meetings and visits, maintaining official records, answering inquiries on behalf of the president, manage the website and other communications, overseeing finances and operations and assist the president
The History of Staðastaður
Björn Jónsson, a government minister and editor, had Staðastaður built in 1912. Besides being a leading political figure in his day, Björn was also the father of Sveinn Björnsson, who became the first president of the Republic of Iceland in 1944. Björn’s wife, Elísabet Sveinsdóttir, grew up on the Snæfellsnes peninsula, on a farm called Staðastaður, from which the building takes its name. Later on, the house belonged to Kristján Eldjárn, after he had served as the country’s third president. Hence, it is safe to say that Staðastaður is deeply connected to the history of Iceland‘s presidency.
Staðastaður was designed by the architect Rögnvaldur Ólafsson, a pioneer of Icelandic architecture. The addition to the building on the side facing Fjólugata street was designed by Gunnlaugur Halldórsson. At the time Staðastaður was built, the house was located on the outskirts of Reykjavík.
Staff of the Presidency
Sif Gunnarsdóttir
Chief of Staff
Arna Kristín Sigfúsdóttir
Employee at office
Atli Már Sigurðsson
Caretaker at Bessastaðir
Birna Þórunn Pálsdóttir
Financial Manager
Helga Kr. Einarsdóttir
on leave
Jón Karl Helgason
Specialist
Ríkarður Már Ríkarðsson
Chauffeur
Sandra Hrönn Traustadóttir
Employee at Bessastaðir
Sif Gunnarsdóttir | Chief of Staff | |
Arna Kristín Sigfúsdóttir | Employee at office | |
Atli Már Sigurðsson | Caretaker at Bessastaðir | |
Birna Þórunn Pálsdóttir | Financial Manager | |
Helga Kr. Einarsdóttir | on leave | |
Jón Karl Helgason | Specialist | |
Ríkarður Már Ríkarðsson | Chauffeur | |
Sandra Hrönn Traustadóttir | Employee at Bessastaðir |