When was Danmarks Nationalbank’s building constructed?
The building was constructed between 1965 and 1978.
Who designed Danmarks Nationalbank’s building?
The building was designed by the Danish architect Arne Jacobsen, and is regarded as one of his most outstanding works. The building was listed in 2009 by the then Danish Heritage Agency, now the Danish Agency for Culture and Palaces, as the youngest building in Denmark to date - see link to publication about Danmarks Nationalbank's building.
Why is the building listed?
The Danmarks Nationalbank building was listed by the Danish Heritage Agency in 2009 on the recommendation of the Historic Buildings Council. At the time of its listing, Danmarks Nationalbank was the youngest listed building in Denmark.
The listing is based on the architectural and cultural historical values of the building, including the architectural appearance of the building in the cityscape, its layout and materials, gardens and extremely well-designed and intricate details.
Why does the building need restoring and renovating?
Danmarks Nationalbank owns the building at Havnegade 5. The building is run-down and built with environmentally harmful substances such as PCBs and asbestos. As owner and employer, we have an obligation to renovate it so that it can be used as a workplace again. At the same time, the bank in Havnegade is a unique Danish cultural heritage site that was listed in 2009, but the building needs to be adapted in line with modern requirements that Arne Jacobsen could not have foreseen 60 years ago when he designed it.
The work is the largest construction project to date at Danmarks Nationalbank since the building's construction between 1965 and 1978. Many of the original materials and fixtures and fittings have outlived their useful life or fallen into disrepair. This is the case with the technical installations, for example, while the marble slabs on the building façade are cracked and broken due to wind and weather. Fire safety also needs be improved.
What does the project entail?
To outsiders, the most obvious thing will be the replacement of marble and glass on the building's façade, but the list of tasks involved in the restoration and renovation is extensive.
The indoor climate needs improving and fixtures and fittings need replacing to make the building more energy-friendly. PCB cleanup is required to replace the organic materials infected with PCBs, such as the characteristic built-in cabinets, panelling and doors made of French pear wood. A new IT and networking system will also be installed and the building will be fireproofed with more emergency exits, new sprinklers and improved smoke extraction systems.
Climate change is also making its mark on the project. Due to its proximity to the Port of Copenhagen and the fact that it is built on a reclaimed sea bed, the Danmarks Nationalbank building needs to be protected against rising sea water levels and heavy rain. The soil conditions under the bank have made it necessary to secure Havnegade 5 using 170 ground anchors in the limestone layers deep beneath the bank so that the building does not move as a result of rising sea levels.
Why is the building listed?
All refurbishment, restoration and rebuilding works are being carried out in close dialogue with the Danish Agency for Culture and Palaces and the Centre for Cultural Heritage because the building at Havnegade 5 is listed.
The Danmarks Nationalbank building was listed by the Danish Heritage Agency in 2009 on the recommendation of the Historic Buildings Council. The building was listed because of its architecture and its cultural and historical value, including its architectural presence in the cityscape, its layout and materials, gardens and courtyards and the extremely well-designed and intricate details.
At the time of its listing, Danmarks Nationalbank was the youngest listed building in Denmark.
How long will the project take?
The project is currently estimated to run until 2029. The period includes major building surveys, planning, tender periods, consultancy and actual construction work. In the initial phase of the project, extensive structural analyses were carried out to determine the condition of the building and how the building could be restored in accordance with its listed status in a way that would also future-proof it.
In late 2023, design and build consultancy group EKJ – Rørbæk Møller recommended a significant change in the environmental cleanup strategy, replacing an ‘encapsulation strategy’ with a ‘disposal strategy’ for the environmentally harmful substance PDB.
The change means that all organic material that has been contaminated with the environmentally harmful substance PCB will be completely disposed, as it has not been possible to encapsulate the substance.
As a result of the new strategy and a number of conditions on and around the construction site, a schedule analysis has been carried out that indicates an extension of renovation and restoration of approximately 15 months.
This means that Danmarks Nationalbank will be ready to move in by the end of 2030.
Together with turnkey consulting group EKJ – Rørbæk Møller, Danmarks Nationalbank is constantly working to identify the risks of the restoration, including by carrying out mock-ups and pilot projects to gain more specific knowledge about how the work can best be carried out in terms of structural engineering – including estimates of what the project will cost and how long it will take to complete.
What will the project cost?
The latest construction estimate from the bank's consultants from 2024 is kr. 3.064 billion excluding VAT, compared to the previous estimate from 2023 of kr. 2.75 billion excluding VAT. The change is a result of the new environmental cleanup strategy and analysis, plus analysis of construction site conditions. The budget for the building project will be published when the results of the completed tenders are available.
When will the renovation and restoration work start?
In 2021, a contract was signed with turnkey consulting group EKJ – Rørbæk Møller. In 2022, a successful tenderer was selected for the first construction management contract. Under this contract, the construction manager is required to oversee the building work, coordinate, provide ongoing site supervision and ensure that the building work is running smoothly. In spring 2024, a contract was signed with Per Aarsleff A/S for the ground anchoring work and in late summer 2024 we expect to sign another construction management contract. 2024 will also be the year when the exterior work is put out to tender. We expect to have all contracts with contractors in place by early 2026.
Will the building be open to visitors?
There will generally be no public access to the building during the rebuilding work. Most recently, there were guided tours for the public in connection with Copenhagen being designated Capital of Architecture 2023. As part of the project, Danmarks Nationalbank is working on how parts of the building can be made accessible to the public in different contexts after the renovation.
Where is Danmarks Nationalbank while construction is underway at Havnegade?
In September 2020, Danmarks Nationalbank's employees relocated to Langelinie Allé 47, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, where a building has been rented from ATP Ejendomme. This will serve as Danmarks Nationalbank’s temporary home during the renovation of Havnegade.
Who is footing the bill?
Danmarks Nationalbank will pay the costs of restoring and renovating the building at Havnegade and renting temporary premises.
How can I get the latest information about the project?
Follow us here on Danmarks Nationalbank's website or write to: ror@nationalbanken.dk if you have any questions or would like to know more. Press enquiries should be directed to kommunikation@nationalbanken.dk.