The aim of this study is to deepen the understanding of how shifting needs and attitudes influenced urban development in Karlstad at the beginning of the 1960s, focusing on the demolition of the Ahlmark’s building and the construction of the Domus department store in 1961. The study applies the theory of Authorized Heritage Discourse (AHD) to explore the values and priorities reflected in building protocols and newspaper articles from the period. Through a qualitative content analysis, the study highlights the interplay between economic, functional and aesthetic considerations in the decision-making process. The results show that modernization and economic efficiency were prioritized, but aesthetic considerations were not entirely sidelined. Building protocols from Karlstad’s municipal board indicate that specific aesthetic adjustments were made to the Domus department to align with urban design expectations, suggesting a nuanced interaction between functionalist and aesthetic ideals during this era.