How about a walk through time at Flintholm? Today, we’re standing in what feels like a modern hub. But beneath our feet lies a history stretching back centuries.
Flintholm, a neighborhood in Copenhagen’s Frederiksberg district, wasn’t always the bustling area we see today. It’s a story of transformation, of breathing new life into old spaces. We will explore its past and present.
Let’s journey back to 1765. A large area of farmland, once part of Ladegården under Copenhagen Castle, was auctioned off. This is how Flintholm got its start. A farmer named Jacob Nielsen Flindt acquired the property in the 1790s. Flintholm is named after him.
However, most of the land was sold to Grøndal in 1827. H. J. Grove, a post officer, bought the house, a small wood, and a garden. He used it as a summer retreat. Imagine this area as open countryside, a peaceful escape from the city.
The late 1890s marked a turning point. The City acquired the land. It was designated for municipal utility and service functions. Frederiksberg’s second gasworks opened at 76 Finsensvej in 1895. Finsen Power Station followed in 1908.
Interestingly, Flintholm House became an infectious disease hospital. It had 12 beds in the house and 40 in tent wings. It served during a scarlet fever outbreak in 1917. It was used again during a smallpox outbreak a few years later. Think about the role this place played in public health.
Frederiksberg Gasworks expanded significantly after World War II. However, it closed in 1964. The area then stood ready for a new chapter.
The real transformation began in 2001. The opening of Flintholm Station prompted Frederiksberg Municipality, DSB, and private investors to redevelop the area. The goal was a new mixed-use neighborhood.
The streets and spaces you see around us are mostly named after Danish revue artists. Preben Kaas, Dirch Passer, and Elga Olga are among them. That’s why the area is also known as Revykvarteret or “The Revue Quarter”. Feel the artistic vibe as you wander through these streets.
Only one building remains from the gasworks era: The Yellow Villa. It’s now a local cultural center. It was listed in 2003. Imagine the stories these walls could tell.
The Flintholm Company House, designed by Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects, is next to Flintholm Station. It offers 21,000 square meters of office space plus 3,000 square meters for retail and cafés. KPMG inaugurated its new Danish head office here in 2011. 3XN designed it. It has room for 1,700 employees.
Flintholm Station is a vital transport hub. It serves the Frederikssund and Ringlines of the S-train network plus the M1 and M2 lines of the Copenhagen Metro. It connects you to all corners of the city.
Flintholm is more than just buildings and streets. It’s a testament to Copenhagen’s ability to reinvent itself. From farmland to gasworks to a modern neighborhood, Flintholm’s story continues to evolve. Take a moment to appreciate this blend of history and modernity.