Copenhagen Stock Exchange. One More Renovation Site Fire?

On 16 April 2024, a fire broke out in a historic building of the Copenhagen Stock Exchange, causing the collapse of the Spire tower. The fire broke out on April 16 and by the end of the day had caused extensive damage to the structure. The causes of the fire are yet to be ascertained, but according to initial information it could be an electrical short circuit. However, the roof, masonry, sandstone and spire were being renovated.

The Spire was built in 1924 and was one of the tallest buildings in Copenhagen for many years. Its collapse has been a major shock to the city and the country

The Stock Exchange of Copenhagen, also known as Tøjeleverens Børse (TB), was a prominent building located in central Copenhagen and housed the city’s main stock exchange from 1872 to 1984. The building was designed by architect Vilhelm Dahl and features elements of the Beaux-Arts style, with classical columns and intricate details.

The Stock Exchange was founded in 1863 and quickly became an important center for trading securities in Denmark. In its early years, it was located in a small building on Børsepladsen, but in 1872, it moved to a new location at Vesterbrogade 4. The new building, designed by Vilhelm Dahl, was built in the Beaux-Arts style and featured classical columns and intricate details.

The building was a symbol of wealth and prosperity and became an important landmark in Copenhagen’s skyline. It housed several stock market exchanges, including the Danish Stock Exchange, the Royal Danish Bank, and the Copenhagen Commodities Exchange.

In addition to its role as a center for trading, the building was also used as a meeting place for businessmen and investors. It was equipped with several conference rooms, libraries, and other amenities that catered to the needs of its clients.

However, in 1984, the Stock Exchange moved to a new location at Nyhavn 57. The building on Vesterbrogade 4 was sold for redevelopment and was torn down in the late 1990s to make way for modern office buildings. Despite this, the building remains an important part of Copenhagen’s history and is remembered as a symbol of wealth and prosperity in the city’s past.

Today, the Stock Exchange of Copenhagen continues to play an important role in Denmark’s financial sector, with several major companies listed on its stock exchange. The building on Nyhavn 57 houses the headquarters of the Danish Stock Exchange, as well as other financial institutions and businesses.

According AP, “more than 90% of cultural heritage was rescued from Danish stock exchange fire“. Interestingly, despite being saved, many paintings did not escape the fire unscathed, since many paintings had water damage, without real fire damage, heat damage or soot damage to large extent.