Islands Brygge

Last updated
Islands Brygge waterfront Islands Brygge waterfront.jpg
Islands Brygge waterfront

Islands Brygge (English: Iceland's Quay) is a harbourfront area in central Copenhagen, Denmark, located on the north-western coast of Amager. The neighbourhood is noted for its waterfront park Havneparken, which is one of the most popular areas along the Copenhagen harbourfront and the location of one of the Copenhagen Harbour Baths.

Contents

Established through a series of land reclamations from the 1880s, it served both military, residential, industrial and dockland purposes. In the mid-20th century it developed an infamous reputation as a neglected industrial and dockland area, but since 2000 it has undergone massive redevelopment and has become a fashionable and attractive neighbourhood. It is characterized by a mixture of old buildings and modern architecture, with a number of old structures relating to the area's dockland past preserved and converted into new functions.

Geography

Islands Brygge has an area of roughly 1 km² and a population of 12,147 (2009), [1] though it has never been an administrative unit with formally defined boundaries. It can be thought of as bounded by the Stadsgraven moat to the north, Copenhagen Harbour to the west, the Nokken allotments to the south, Ørestad North to the north-east and Amager Common to the east. For some of its course, Artillerivej defines the eastern border, but towards the north Islands Brygge straddles the street; Islands Brygge Metro Station, the Serum Institute and Islandsbrygge School, all of which are normally considered Islands Brygge, are all located east of Artillerivej.

History

The north-western shore of Amager was originally characterized by a shallow watered beach. The northern part of this area was reclaimed already in the 1620s with the construction of Christianshavn and the fortification of Copenhagen, while the area which would later become Islands Brygge remained undeveloped until the 1880s. At that time the shoreline was situated just east of present-day Artillerivej. In the 1880s, Christian IV's Arsenal on Slotsholmen had become too small, and the military received permission to reclaim an area to the south-west of Slotsgraven for the purpose of new military facilities. The area was filled in 1887-88 and a new arsenal, shooting ranges and army barracks were constructed on the land. [2]

Towards the end of the 19th century, the Port of Copenhagen had become very busy both with freight and passenger vessels and extensions were needed. In 1901, the Port Authorities extended the existing reclamation southwards to create new areas for the storage of coal, timber and other goods. From 1905 construction of residential buildings on the most inland parts of the new land began.

FDB's buildins on Njalsgade in about 1910 Njalsgade - FDB.png
FDB's buildins on Njalsgade in about 1910

The co-operative Danish retailer FDB established new headquarters in the neighbourhood in 1908. It comprised both administrative functions, production and storage facilities.

Dansk Sojakagefabrik in about 1930 Dansk Sojakagefabrik c 1930.jpg
Dansk Sojakagefabrik in about 1930

Dansk Sojakagefabrik, a soy bean processing plant, was opened by the East Asiatic Company in 1909. At its peak in the 1950s, the plant employed approximately 2,500 workers, many of whom lived in the neighbourhood.

To improve road and rail connections between Zealand and Amager, a new bridge was constructed at the site of the present-day Langebro, replacing an older bridge leading to Christianshavn. The new bridge soon became outdated and in 1930 a new temporary bridge was built. Langebro was completed in 1954.

Still more land was reclaimed until 1933, when Islands Brygge reached its current extent.

Under the Occupation of Denmark during World War II, many German troops were stationed at Islands Brygge, and the area was the target of a number of sabotage acts by the Danish resistance movement. [3] After World War II, the military presence in the area diminished and by 1976 most of the former military buildings had been demolished or converted to other use.

Industrial activities continued in the area, but as a number of companies closed their production plants, Islands Brygge became known as a neglected and rough working-class neighbourhood, dominated by abandoned industrial sites.

The first step towards the transformation of the area into a lively, fashionable neighbourhood was taken in 1984 with the establishment of Havneparken. During the 1990s, the area started to attract attention among real estate investors, and from 2000, as real estate prices rose dramatically, the area saw massive redevelopment with construction of numerous new office and residential buildings.

Islands Brygge today

Islands Brygge is today a fashionable mainly residential neighbourhood, stretching from Langebro in the north to Bryggebroen in the south. The northern part of the area, from Langebro to Sturlasgade, is dominated by early 20th-century residential blocks with small shops at street level.

Gemini Residence, two former silos converted into an apartment building by MVRDV Gemini Residence from west.JPG
Gemini Residence, two former silos converted into an apartment building by MVRDV

The area from Sturlasgade to Bryggebroen, also known as Havnestaden, used to be an industrial site processing soy beans for animal feed, but is after redevelopment dominated by new office and residential buildings. Some structures from the area's industrial and dockland past have been preserved and converted to other uses. These include Gemini Residence, the Wennberg Silo and the Zepeline Building.

Havneparken (English: The Harbour Park), located directly on the waterfront, is the main recreational area of the neighbourhood and one of the most lively and popular places along the Copenhagen harbourfront. It has retained several features from the area's industrial past, including old railway tracks and an old railway car. The park is also the location of the Islands Brygge Cultural House and the Islands Brygge Harbour Bath.

"Hotel Copenhagen" is located at Egilsgade. It is one of the few hotels located in the area. At the entrance to Islands Brygge is "Radisson Scandinavia", one of the tallest hotels in Copenhagen. The newest hotel at Islands Brygge is "Stay Copenhagen" on the street Islands Brygge

Famous people from Islands Brygge

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christianshavn</span> Neighbourhood of Copenhagen, Denmark

Christianshavn is a neighbourhood in Copenhagen, Denmark. Part of the Indre By District, it is located on several artificial islands between the islands of Zealand and Amager and separated from the rest of the city centre by the Inner Harbour. It was founded in the early 17th century by Christian IV as part of his extension of the fortifications of Copenhagen. Originally, it was laid out as an independent privileged merchant's town with inspiration from Dutch cities but it was soon incorporated into Copenhagen proper. Dominated by canals, it is the part of Copenhagen with the most nautical atmosphere.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kongens Enghave</span>

Kongens Enghave, commonly known as Sydhavnen or the postal district of 2450 Copenhagen SV (southwest) is a district in southern Copenhagen. While its core is a largely pre-WWII former working class district, it also contains an upscale residential area along the harbour having been developed after 2000, scattered industrial areas, large parks such as Valbyparken and Sydhavnstippen, allotment gardens and parts of Vestre Kirkegård, the city's largest cemetery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Islands Brygge station</span> Copenhagen metro station

Islands Brygge station is a rapid transit station of the Copenhagen Metro in Copenhagen, Denmark. The first station on the M1 Line after its split from the M2 Line at Christianshavn, it is located in zone 1 in the northwestern section of the island of Amager.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amagerbanen</span> Railway line in Denmark

Amagerbanen was a Danish railroad line from Copenhagen to Dragør on the island Amager, inaugurated on July 10, 1907.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Atlantic House</span>

North Atlantic House is a cultural centre located on the harbour front in Copenhagen, Denmark, dedicated to preserve, promote and communicate culture and art from the North Atlantic area. It is made as a cooperation between Denmark, Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands and includes three galleries and conference facilities. The centre also houses the Icelandic embassy and the permanent representations of Greenland and the Faroe Islands, as well as some commercial activities and enterprises related to the area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holmen, Copenhagen</span> Neighbourhood in Copenhagen, Denmark

Holmen is a water-bound neighbourhood in Copenhagen, Denmark, occupying the former grounds of the Royal Naval Base and Dockyards. In spite of its name, deceptively in singular, Holmen is a congregation of small islands, forming a north-eastern extension of Christianshavn between Zealand and the northern tip of Amager.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bryggebroen</span> Bridge in Islands Brygge, Havneholmen

Bryggebroen is one of the new bicycle/pedestrian bridges in Copenhagen inner harbour and is a 190 metres (620 ft) combined pedestrian and bicyclist bridge directed east-west. The bridge is joined to Kalvebod Brygge and Cykelslangen bridge (west) and Islands Brygge (east) and thus connects Vesterbro on Zealand and Amager. The bridge has become a popular place for attaching love padlocks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Havneparken</span>

Havneparken is a public park located directly on the waterfront in the district of Islands Brygge in central Copenhagen, Denmark. It is one of the most lively and popular places along the Copenhagen harbourfront. Located in a former dockland area, the park has retained a number of features from the area's industrial past, including disused railway tracks and an abandoned railway car used as an exhibition space, while am old ship hull turned upside-down serves as an idiosyncratic bandstand and pavilion. The park is also the location of the Islands Brygge Cultural Centre and the Islands Brygge Harbour Bath.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Teglholmen</span>

Teglholmen is a peninsula in the South Harbour of Copenhagen, Denmark, located between Sluseholmen and Enghave Brygge. The former dockland area used to house heavy industry. While some industry activities remain in the area, but since most industry left the area, starting in the 1970s, it has undergone massive redevelopment, though some industrial activities remain, most notably MAN B&W Diesel's motor development plant. Today the area houses both a considerable number of Danish and regional headquarters of multinational companies and residential developments. Teglholmen is home to Aalborg University's AAU Cph Campus as well as TV 2's activities in Copenhagen.

Districts of Copenhagen are often based on informal designations based on historic origins, often with alternative names and loosely defined boundaries. Copenhagen Municipality is divided into 10 official administrative districts but they often comprise areas of a heterogeneous character which are informally not seen as one district. Some districts have earlier been official subdivisions and thus have semi-official boundaries. Copenhagen postal code designations often correspond to district boundaries but in some cases differ from them, as an example parts of the city centre has the postal code København V which is generally associated with Vesterbro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gammelholm</span> Neighbourhood in Copenhagen, Denmark

Gammelholm is a predominantly residential neighbourhood in the city centre of Copenhagen, Denmark. It is bounded by the Nyhavn canal, Kongens Nytorv, Holmens Kanal, Niels Juels Gade and the waterfront along Havnegade. For centuries, the area was the site of the Royal Naval Shipyard, known as Bremerholm, but after the naval activities relocated to Nyholm, it came under residential redevelopment in the 1860s and 1870s. The new neighbourhood was planned by Ferdinand Meldahl and has also been referred to as "Meldahl's Nine Streets". Apart from the buildings which face Kongens Nytorv, which include the Royal Danish Theatre and Charlottenborg Palace, the area is characterized by homogeneous Historicist architecture consisting of perimeter blocks with richly decorated house fronts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christianshavns Vold</span> Rampart used to surround Copenhagen, Denmark

Christianshavns Vold is a former rampart which was part of the bastioned fortification ring which used to surround Copenhagen, Denmark. Running along the full south-eastern perimeter of Christianshavn and Holmen, it used to form a protective barrier towards the island of Amager. It consists of earthworks with 12 bastions and in front of it ran a moat, Stadsgraven, now forming a broad canal which separates Christianshavn from the rest of Amager. On the other side of Stadsgraven. on Amager, was a lower system of outworks called Christianshavns Enveloppe of which only the northern half survives. Along with Kastellet on the other side of the harbour, it is the only intact part of the fortification system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christian IV's Arsenal</span> Building in Copenhagen, Denmark

Christian IV's Arsenal, is a historic building on Slotsholmen in central Copenhagen, Denmark. It was built by Christian IV of Denmark in 1604 as part of a grand scheme for the construction of a new naval harbour. The arsenal, along with several other buildings, surrounded the harbour basin which was connected to the main harbour by a narrow canal. Later, when ships became too large to enter the harbour, the fleet moved to Bremerholm and the decommissioned naval harbour was later filled in.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kalvebod Brygge</span>

Kalvebod Brygge is a waterfront area in the Vesterbro district of Copenhagen, Denmark. The name also refers to a section of the Ring 2 ring road which follows the waterfront from Langebro in the north to the H. C. Ørsted Power Station in the south. The area is dominated by office buildings, Tivoli Conference Center, several hotels and the shopping centre Fisketorvet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Applebys Plads</span>

Applebyes Plads is a triangular area located between Langebro Bridge and the southernmost portion of Christianshavn Canal at the southern tip of the Christianshavn neighbourhood in Copenhagen, Denmark. The area takes its name from Peter Applebye, Christian VI's rope maker, who ran his manufactury from the site in the late 18th century, although no buildings remain from that time. The Danish Sugar Factories' building along the waterfront dates from 1912 while the rest of the grounds have undergone residential redevelopment in later years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strandgade</span> Street in Copenhagen, Denmark

Strandgade is one of the principal streets in the Christianshavn district of Copenhagen, Denmark. It runs along the full length of the neighbourhood, following the harbourfront, from Christian's Church in the south-west to Grønlandske Handels Plads in the north

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Enghave Brygge</span>

Enghave Brygge is a waterfront area in the Southern Docklands of Copenhagen, Denmark. It is located between Teglholmen to the south and Kalvebod Brygge to the north. Currently an abandoned industrial site, a plan for its redevelopment was adopted in July 2013. The most prominent landmark in the area is the H. C. Ørsted Power Station.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Havneholmen, Copenhagen</span>

Havneholmen is a mixed-use development located on reclaimed land off Kalvebod Brygge in the harbor of Copenhagen, Denmark. It is located just east of the shopping centre Fisketorvet from which it is separated by a narrow canal, although it is annexed to mainland Kalvebod Brygge at its southern end.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grønlandske Handels Plads</span>

(Kongelige) Grønlandske Handels Plads is a waterfront area at the end of Strandgade in the northwestern corner of the Christianshavn neighbourhood of Copenhagen, Denmark. The area is bounded by the Trangraven canal to the north, Christianshavn Canal to the east, Krøyers Plads to the south and the main harbor to the west. The waterfront is also known as Nordatlantens Brygge. It is named for the Royal Greenland Trading Department and was for more than 200 years a hub for Danish trade on Greenland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands. The most notable building is North Atlantic House, an 18th-century warehouse now used as a cultural centre for the North Atlantic area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amager Boulevard</span> Street in Copenhagen, Denmark

Amager Boulevard is a street on Amager in Copenhagen, Denmark. It begins at Langebro Bridge and initially follows Stadsgraven east to a Y-junction from where it continues inland to Amagerbrogade while the street Ved Stadsgraven continues along the water to the Christmas Møllers Plads.

References

  1. "Sogneoplysninger". Islands Brygge Sogn. Archived from the original on 2011-01-08. Retrieved 2009-08-07.
  2. "Islands Brygges historie og udvikling". njalsgade.dk. Archived from the original on February 4, 2008. Retrieved 2009-08-07.
  3. "Daglige Beretninger om Begivenheder under den tyske Besættelse". Selskabet for Københavns Historie. Archived from the original on 2009-10-19. Retrieved 2009-08-07.

55°40′N12°35′E / 55.667°N 12.583°E / 55.667; 12.583