Wow. Look at K.B. Hallen. Can you believe this magnificent structure stands before us? It’s a far cry from its predecessor.
K.B. Hallen. A multi-arena on Peter Bangs Vej in Frederiksberg. It hosts concerts for 4500 people sports events for 2500 and more. Think fairs exhibitions flea markets. It’s the heart of a huge complex. Smaller halls are nearby. There are five building complexes an outdoor swimming pool tennis and football fields.
Originally K.B. Hallen was home to Copenhagen Ball Club. Founded in 1876 the club is still around. FC Copenhagen its successor trains daily at the K.B. complex. KB’s tennis and cricket teams are also based here. Volleyball and basketball matches were played here. Until 2003 some of the world’s best tennis players competed here in the Copenhagen Open. Martina Hingis John McEnroe Boris Becker all played at K.B. Hallen.
The old K.B. Hallen was quite special. A social and welfare-promoting functionalist masterpiece. One of the few Danish examples of the European organic sculptural modernist style. Think Bauhaus Le Corbusier Arne Jacobsen Jørn Utzon. It opened in 1938. King Christian X himself inaugurated it. It was Europe’s largest private sports facility.
Architect Hans Hansen was the main man. Engineer Christen Ostenfeld specialized in pre-stressed concrete. Poul Henningsen the multi-artist writer designer was deeply involved. He even designed a special KB lamp. In the adjacent fireplace room Sikker Hansen painted murals. They depict athletes and workers building the hall.
Tragedy struck in 1944. The Schalburg Corps a Danish Nazi group bombed the hall. Much of the interior and glass were destroyed. The concrete structure survived. The hall reopened six months after the liberation. A small museum showcased the club’s and hall’s history. The hall was listed in 2011.
Then disaster struck again. A fire in September 2011 gutted the interior. The roof collapsed. Firefighters saved the rear halls. The Cultural Agency wanted it rebuilt. But KB and Frederiksberg municipality disagreed. They argued that the damage was too extensive. The building was delisted in 2013.
Demolition began in 2015. But K.B. Hallen lives on. The new hall opened in December 2018. Crown Prince Frederik himself opened it. Its steel construction won the European Steel Award in 2019. The design is simple elegant. Steel arches support concrete elements. They are used in the roof and facade.
The history of K.B. Hallen is packed. From Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong to The Beatles and Led Zeppelin. The hall has seen countless events. It continues to be a major cultural venue. A place of memories and milestones. A place to experience music sport and more. It’s a living legend. A testament to Copenhagen’s vibrant spirit.