Two Enterprising Greenlanders’ Ambitious Hotel Project in Ilulissat Comes to a Halt
In a significant setback for local entrepreneurs Frank and Tommy Bagger, plans for a towering 10-storey hotel in the heart of Ilulissat will not be realized. The proposed structure, set to rise to an impressive height of 75 meters, would have been the highest hotel in Greenland, offering breathtaking views of the iconic ice fjord.
At a municipal board meeting just before the New Year, Avannaata Kommunia turned down the request for land necessary for the project, which had garnered considerable excitement. A visibly disappointed Frank Bagger expressed his thoughts on the board’s decision: “It’s truly a shame. The need for more hotel rooms in Ilulissat is immense,” he stated in an interview with Sermitsiaq.
The site of the proposed hotel was to occupy a prime location between the Brugseni and Pisiffik stores, adjacent to the gas station operated by the Bagger-owned company, Tankeeraq.
Municipal Board: Seeking Alternatives
During a meeting on December 29, the municipal board reaffirmed its previous decision from November 21, 2025, to maintain the existing physical conditions in sub-area 1200-C17. The board declared that new constructions of such scale should be located outside of Ilulissat’s city center. Architect Martin Viggo Meincke, an urban planner for Avannaata Kommunia, conveyed the board’s stance in an email to Sermitsiaq, emphasizing the need to find alternative solutions.
A Vision that Evolved
Originally, in the spring of 2025, the Bagger brothers envisioned a 12-storey hotel in the city center, later scaling it back to 10 floors with an ambitious goal to complete the project by 2028. The hotel was initially branded “High North Ilulissat” and was championed by Tankeeraq Ejendomme ApS, the development company founded by the brothers. Tegnestue Qarsoq was hired as the project’s consultant.
Along with legendary businessman Jens Kristian Friis-Salling, Frank and Tommy Bagger co-own the investment firm Ilu Invest, which has also spearheaded the development of the Best Western Hotel in Ilulissat. Friis-Salling, a veteran of nearly half a century in business, is a former major stakeholder in Polar Seafood, Greenland’s largest private company.
The aspiration behind the Bagger brothers’ original proposal was more than just a hotel; they aimed to create a community resource, providing socially sustainable jobs for local residents. They stressed their commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability in operations, from optimizing linen use to integrating local ingredients in the restaurant’s kitchen.
With the anticipated opening of the new international Atlantic airport in Ilulissat later this year, Bagger envisioned a surge of charter flights in addition to regular services. He noted that cruise companies could also come to rely on local accommodations if the hotel came to fruition, highlighting the potential synergy between tourism and infrastructural growth.
Alongside their undertaking of the new project, the Bagger brothers have also played a vital role in the success of the existing Best Western Plus Hotel Ilulissat, which opened its doors in May 2021. Offering 78 rooms with splendid views of the ice fjord and Kirkebugten, the hotel stands as a testament to their commitment to enhancing Greenland’s hospitality landscape.