Höfði House

Overview

Höfði is an elegant early-20th-century white wooden manor on the Reykjavík waterfront, famous as the venue of the 1986 Reykjavík Summit between US President Ronald Reagan and Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev—a pivotal moment in ending the Cold War.

Highlights

• Cold War History: The house stands as a symbol of the diplomatic breakthrough that accelerated nuclear disarmament negotiations.
• Architecture: A handsome Art Nouveau–influenced timber building with French windows and a distinctive tower, originally built in 1909 as a French consulate.
• Waterfront Setting: The building sits in a small seaside garden with views across Faxaflói Bay to Mount Esja.

History

Designed by Norwegian architect Einar Erlendsson, Höfði was originally the French consulate, then the home of Icelandic poet and journalist Einar Benediktsson. It gained international fame when it was chosen as a neutral, intimate setting for the Reagan–Gorbachev summit on 11–12 October 1986.

Visitor Tips

• Exterior Only: The house is not open to the public inside, but the grounds are freely accessible.
• Duration: 10–15 minutes.
• Combine With: A walk along the nearby Sculpture & Shore Walk path.