In the mid-1600s, Queen Kristina issued orders to establish the Haga district, which became Göteborg's first suburb. As Haga was within the city walls and the fortified Skansberget, it was decided that when the crown needed the land or in the event of war, the houses would be demolished. This rule was applied in the 1690s, for example, when the casemate was built. 34 blocks were demolished despite protests by locals. Haga was used mainly to be home to people with connections to the harbour and river, and developed into a workers' quarter.
In the 1840s several new industries appeared in Göteborg. The number of workers in the city grew rapidly and many settled in Haga, which became the first distinct worker district. The new buildings springing up in Haga were becoming more urban. The small detached timber houses were being replaced by two and three-storey apartment blocks. Most of the blocks were built from wood, but more expensive stone houses also appeared here and there. Public and social institutions were now springing up such as a church, a new school, public baths and the workers' club building with its assembly hall.  In the 1870s there was a severe housing shortage among the city's workers. New worker districts therefore began being built. At the same time a new type of house was created, called the 'County Governor' house. By this time Haga was very densely populated, and it was not unusual for 10-15 people to live in one room and share a kitchen.