When Borgagården was destroyed by fire in 2024, owners Joakim and Cecilia Engwall had only one way forward: to rebuild. Now, a new hotel is taking shape in Borgafjäll – built with timber from northern Sweden, local partnerships and a strong determination to create something even better than what came before.
There is plenty of activity on the construction site in Borgafjäll. The ground has been excavated, insulation and reinforcement are in place, and the concrete slab has been poured. Where an inn that had been a natural part of the village for decades once stood, a new Borgagården is now taking shape.
For Joakim and Cecilia, who run the business, the past two years have been intense. They are both the developers and operators of the project and are handling large parts of the work themselves – while also raising two children, aged four and seven.
“We are our own developers and project managers. We are here all day, managing construction while trying to keep the business running. There is an incredible amount to keep track of, but at the same time it is fantastic to see it taking shape,” says Joakim.
The Decision to Rebuild After the Fire
Borgagården was destroyed in a dramatic fire. For Joakim, the incident was particularly traumatic. As a part-time firefighter, he was one of the first people on the scene and was involved in trying to save what had been the family’s major project and livelihood.
“It was a terrible feeling. I was there trying to put out the fire at my own dream project. But just a few days after the fire, we started planning how to rebuild. We live and work here. This is our life. For me, there was really no alternative,” he says.
The old Borgagården had a long history. The building was constructed in 1948 and had operated as an inn ever since. Many guests had left their mark on the building, and when Joakim and Cecilia took over, they began collecting guest books and other historical material. Everything was lost in the fire.
“Now we are rebuilding the building, and the guests will create its soul,” says Cecilia.
A New Hotel Designed Around Today’s Needs
The new hotel will not be a replica of the old one. Instead, Joakim and Cecilia have taken the opportunity to rethink the layout and facilities.
The previous L-shaped building will be replaced by a more efficient rectangular design. The hotel will feature two bridal suites and four smaller rooms. Plans also include a spa, conference facilities and a gym.
“We have been running the business for eight years, so we have a pretty good understanding of what works and what has been missing. It is an incredible luxury to be able to design the building around what we actually need,” says Joakim.
One of their key ambitions is to attract new types of guests. Conferences and management groups will become a larger part of the business, while Borgagården will also be able to host more weddings and other events.
Today, the business also offers 90 beds across 15 cabins. During the summer, activities include boat rental and snorkelling safaris, while winter activities centre around snowmobile rental and guided snowmobile tours.
“The cabin business and rental activities are continuing as before. They help us keep the business going during the construction period. But of course, we have lost some revenue because we do not have a restaurant,” says Cecilia, who manages the dayto- day business while Joakim is on the construction site.
The hope is that the new building will be completed by next summer. The timber frame is scheduled for delivery in November and will be erected in December, after which interior work will continue throughout the winter.
Northern Swedish Timber for the New Borgagården
The choice of materials is an important part of the project. All the timber used in the building, both indoors and outdoors, comes from Norra Timber. It is transported directly to house manufacturer Tegsnäshus, which constructs the timber frame.
“For us, choosing timber from Norra Timber was an obvious decision – and the local community feels the same way. Some of the logs used to build the hotel may actually have come from the Borgafjäll area,” says Cecilia.
For the couple, locally sourced timber from northern Sweden was a natural choice.
“The timber from northern Sweden is of very high quality. The trees grow slowly here, which gives the timber excellent properties. It also feels good knowing that the material does not have to travel very far, since all the timber from Norra Timber comes from northern Sweden. We want to work as locally as possible,” says Cecilia.
For Norra Timber, being part of the rebuilding project was a natural choice.
“When we heard the story of Borgagården and the plans to rebuild the business using locally sourced timber, we wanted to contribute. Borgagården is an important meeting place, and entrepreneurs who invest in and develop rural areas are important to the entire region,” says Hugo Malmqvist, Sales Representative at Norra Timber.
As part of the construction process, Joakim and Cecilia have also visited Norra Timber’s sawmill in Sävar and its painting facility in Hammerdal, where they were able to see the cladding being painted.
“It is different when you get to see where the material actually comes from. You develop a completely different connection with what eventually becomes part of the building. We will also be able to take part in painting the cladding in Hammerdal when we get to that stage,” says Cecilia.
Local Businesses Join the Rebuilding Effort
Norra Timber is far from the only local company involved in the rebuilding project. Around 30 businesses with connections to the area are contributing to the project.
“When we started planning the construction, we realised that we would need help. So we went through our contacts and started making calls. We realised that we knew people who could do almost everything – carpentry, fire protection, concrete work and more. We also have a friend who is an architect and wanted to be part of the project. It has been invaluable,” says Joakim.
Local residents and owners of holiday homes have also offered their help.
“The partnerships are really rewarding. You can buy timber from a builders’ merchant and simply have it delivered. But when you do things locally, you develop a completely different connection. It makes working together much more enjoyable,” says Cecilia.
There is also a bigger picture behind the commitment to the project. Borgagården is an important part of the local business community and one of the largest accommodation providers in Borgafjäll. Once the hotel reopens, it will also create opportunities for other businesses in the area.
“We are the largest accommodation provider here, and when we get back up and running, it will create positive knock-on effects for many others. The ski resort, grocery store and other businesses will benefit too. The person who helped me pour the concrete slab owns the local ski resort, so of course he wants us to get up and running as soon as possible. We all benefit from one another,” says Joakim.
“We want to do the best we can”
Despite the long road back, their confidence in the future remains strong. The eleven employees who worked at Borgagården before the fire have had to wait while the restaurant and hotel have been closed. The goal is to rebuild and grow the business once the new building is complete.
“After the fire, the insurance company only covered half of what it would have cost to rebuild the inn as it was before. Without these kinds of partnerships, we would not have been able to make it work. We want to do the best we can. And the fact that businesses can help each other in this way is fantastic,” says Cecilia.
And although the construction project takes up almost all of their time, there is one thing Joakim does not want to miss: the journey itself.
“Many people say, ‘Just think how great it will be when it is finished.’ But you should not underestimate the journey. We are physically here and get to see everything take shape. I am a carpenter by trade and usually know a little about everything. A week ago, I knew nothing about grease traps. Now I know a lot,” he says with a laugh.
The aim is for the restaurant to reopen next summer.
“It will be a real boost for the local community. Borgagården plays such an important role here. We are looking forward to welcoming our guests back to meet, stay, eat and experience the mountain landscape,” says Cecilia.
