Frederiksberg Town Hall

The town hall of this little enclave within Copenhagen, the Frederisberg Municipality Town Hall (Frederiksber Rådhus) offers a spectacular view and music from its Clock Tower.

Facts

Frederiksberg Town Hall
Source: Det Kongelige Biblioteks billedsambling

• Built: 1942-1953
• Height of the clock tower: 60 meters
• Address: Smallegade 1-3, Frederiksberg
• Telephone: +45 3821 2121

Background

Since the Frederiksberg Municipality experienced a population growth the council decided to erect a new town hall, that could provide sufficient workplace for the growing number of public servants. The architect of the building is the Danish Henning Hansen, who actually died in 1945, seven years before the town hall was inaugurated.

Interesting

A mechanic in the control door of the clock.
Source: www.taarnurmageren.dk

Shortly after the construction was begun the works had to be suspended and delayed because of the events of the Second World War. The building was only finished and opened in 1953, more than ten years after the constructions started.

Nowadays there are more than 800 public servants working in the building every day.

There is chimes every day five times from the clock tower. They play different melodies adjusted to the season at 9,12, 15, 18, and 22 o'clock. You can find the program by clicking here.

Useful hint

If you want to visit the Town Hall of Frederiksberg you can do that on the first Saturday of every month. Groups can also book other appointments for the visit. During the guided tour you have the chance to see the wedding hall, a huge painting by Sikker Hansen, the city council meeting room, the event hall, and the Clock Tower. The latter one is 60 meters tall compared to the street level.

Video about the clock tower from 1953

Axelborg

Türck, Sven (1897-1954) fotograf
Source: Det Kongelige Biblioteks billedsamling1

Axelborg is a notable building in the Axeltorv square in downtown Copenhagen. This is the first structure that stands out for the tourists when they leave the Central Railway station and is counted among the oldest office buildings in Copenhagen.

Facts

Built: 1918-1921

Address: Axeltorv 1

Background

Axelborg in 1925 with the old tram lines.
Adolf Feller (1879-1931) postkartensamlung.
Source: ETH-Bibliothek Zürich, Bildarchiv 

The building was designed by the architects Arthur Wittmaack and Vilhelm Hvalsøe. The Den Danske Andelsbank and the Arbejdernes Andels-Boligforening ordered the construction of the building, and as both had an agricultural background, the building is considered to be the centre of agriculture in Denmark. At the time of construction, the Axelborg was considered to be among the largest buildings in Copenhagen, second only to the Christiansborg Palace. It was used between 1928 and 1943 by the Danish Broadcasting Corporation and today, it houses the Danish Agricultural Council.    

History

The Axelborg Room located at the center of the structure used to house the bank’s main offices. At the time, a paternoster lift was constructed which can still be experienced and gives a rare glimpse into what everyday life might have been like in the past. After the Den Danske Andelsbank went bankrupt in 1925, the Arbejdernes Andels-Boligforening followed suit by running into problems and had to vacate Axelborg. The building then housed a group of agricultural companies and the farmers became the official occupants. Their hold over the place did not last long and like their former occupants, the farmers were replaced by the Danish Broadcasting Corporation in 1928. Later on, in 2000, Bojesen occupied three floors of the old building, including the Axelborg room and former bank vaults.

Other interesting facts

With a stunning and intricate interior design and its remarkable acoustics due to the high ceiling and wood-covered walls, the main hall is usually employed for meetings and conferences. One of the standout structures is the tower that provides an extraordinary view from inside the hall (see the last picture).  

Interior today.
Source: http://www.aaretskage.dk

The amazing tower, from the main hall.
Source: http://www.trekearth.com

Custom House

The clock tower of the custom house
Source: www.aok.dk

Custom house, ferry terminal or restaurant? What is this green-roofed building with the clock tower in the harbour?

Facts

Built: 1937

Address: Havnegade 44

Background

Constructed in 1937, the Custom House (Gammelholm Toldkammer) is an outstanding architectural endeavor located in the Copenhagen harbour. Lying amidst the center of the harbor, the Slotsholm Canal, the Holmen Canal and Nyhavn, it offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding area. The oval building has also often been called the ‘pencil case’ due to its oval shape.

History

Built in a functionalist style after the plans of the Danish architect and royal building inspector, Kristoffer Nyrop, its original purpose (as the name suggests) was to act as a clearance for customs on goods to and from Sweden. Later on, the Scandilines took over the building and used it as a ferry terminal up until 2002. Today, the building is called 'The Standard' by the locals and houses a jazz club, two bars, and three restaurants.

Today

Formerly called the ‘Custom House’, it now goes by the name of ‘The Standard’ as a tribute to the Art Deco building designed by Kristoffer Nyrop. Today, visitors can enjoy both Nordic and Indian food while listening to some of the best local, regional and international jazz artists. The Almanak and Studio both serve primarily traditional Nordic food with the former offering its famous Danish open-faced sandwiches and the latter serving food prepared in an open kitchen. The Studio has also been named ‘Denmark’s third best restaurant’ by the White Guide Nordic 2015. The third restaurant in question, Verandah, mostly serves a wide variety of contemporary Indian food using some local and regional ingredients. The jazz club can seat up to 68 people and pays tribute to Copenhagen’s position in jazz history by staying true to its Danish/Nordic musical roots while playing music constructed specifically for ‘The Standard’    

The facade from the harbour
Source: www.wikimedia.org