The oldest parts of the estate that have been excavated are barricade walls built in a classic motte-and-bailey style.

These walls likely date from the years between 1040 and 1060, a time when Norway was ruled by King Harald Hardrada.

The estate eventually became a royal residential palace with towers, a Haakon's hall-inspired great hall and the largest medieval log houses recorded in Norway.

[2] The location of the estate played a significant role when King Haakon V decided to gradually move the capital of Norway from Bergen to Oslo.

The estate eventually lost its status and role as a regional administrative center to Akershus Fortress and became the residence of the Chancellor of Norway in the late Middle Ages.