[1] The name Grini is a variant of Granvin (a placename used elsewhere), and stems from spruce trees in the area.
Both farms belonged to the Church of Norway, but the crown usurped the property following the Protestant Reformation.
The dwelling house was erected in 1658, three years before the property was sold from the crown to a private person.
Grini was the easternmost farm in Bærum municipality, which at the time bordered Aker.
[2] (now: Oslo, following a 1948 municipal merger) The border was the river Lysakerelva, and along it the Wedel-Jarlsberg family continued owning property.
Smaller industry had developed alongside the river, including a mill, sawmill, brickworks and a lime burner.
Construction of the extension into Bærum started in 1941, and involved erecting a railroad bridge over Lysakerelva.