Meatpacking District, Copenhagen
Encyclopedia
Kødbyen occasionally translated to Meat District or 'Meatpacking District', is a district of Vesterbro in Copenhagen
, Denmark
. It is situated between the railway lines going into Copenhagen Central Station and the street Sønder Boulevard.
The Meat District consists of three separate areas, referred to as the White, Grey and Brown Kødby for the dominant colour of their buildings.
The brown part (Den brune Kødby) is the oldest area, closest to the Central Station, and dating from 1883. It has since c. 2000 been changed into a new creative cluster
with galleries, art cafés, nightlife and small creative businesses like studios and architecture firms in the historical buildings. It is also home to DGI-byen
, a sports, swimming and conference complex, and the exhibition hall Øksnehallen, originally a stabling place for 1,600 cattle before slaughtering.
The newer white area (Den hvide Kødby) is a 400 × 600 enclave of white modernistic structures, built in 1934 to the design of city architect Poul Holsøe. The area is listed for conservation and is still serving its original purpose of housing businesses relating to the meat industry, such as the Inco cash and carry wholesale warehouse for the catering business and the Copenhagen Hospitality College
. A municipal master plan aims at creating a mixed-use area, encouraging cultural, design, and gastronomy businesses to settle there, while retaining the meat industry.
and Vesterbro. Called Trommesalen (English: "The Drum Hall") because it was opened to the sound of a drum in the morning, it remained the main cattle market of the area for more than two centuries.
In 1878, due to shortage of space and fear of cholera epidemics
, the City decided to construct a new cattle market. A municipal committee suggested a location at Kalvebod Beach, which at the time was situated where the square Halmtorvet
(English: Haymarket) is today. The site was located on the grounds of a large estate which the city had acquired in 1870 from the Royal Copenhagen Shooting Society
. The new cattle market was constructed partly on an area previously occupied by shooting range
s, partly on new land reclaimed
along Kalvebod Beach.
The new market opened November 28, 1879, planned and designed by architect Hans Jørgen Holm
. The market, stretching from Halvtorvet to the gasworks harbour, was dissected by a broad internal road lined with cattle stable
s, sheep pen
s and dealers offices on both sides. In 1883, three slaughterhouse
for cattle were constructed and later a slaughterhouse for pigs and two slaughterhouses for cattle, calves and lambs were added. The market area also housed cooling houses and various rendering businesses like tallow
melting houses and blood dryers producing blood meal
.
As a result of the improved conditions at the new cattle market, all slaughterings at the numerous private open air stockyards
around the city were prohibited starting January 1, 1888, and all slaughterings had to take place in the public slaughterhouses. Mandatory meat control was also introduced, requiring all fresh meat coming into the city to be inspected and stamped.
In 1901, the cattle market was extended with construction of Øksnehallen, a 5,200 m2 market hall. It housed dealers' offices and had a capacity for 1600 head of cattle. The extension also included new pens
for cattle and sheep and was built by city architect L. P. Fenger.
With the construction of Øksnehallen, the City's attention became directed at the morning trade in fresh pork meat, at that time taking place at Gammeltorv
and Nytorv
, and it was decided also to construct a market hall for trade in pork. With no vacant space at the cattle market area, the new market hall was placed on reclaimed land where the Falck
Headquarters is today. On April 15, 1910, the a new complex was inaugurated. Besides a 6,500 m² market hall, it included a cooling house, laboratories and administration. From that date forward all trade in pork at Gammeltorv was prohibited, although the so-called Chicken Ladies were still allowed to sell poultry by the aritas Well)). In 1925 the market hall was extended with a new hall for trade in poultry and two new cooling houses, and two years later, in 1927, the poultry vendors were banned from Gammeltorv.
Planning of the new meatpacking district started in 1928 under the direction of city architect Poul Helsøe, according to his design. In October 1932, the new Slaughterhouse and various other buildings were inaugurated, and on April 15, 1934 the new Pork Market Hall and Poultry Market Hall were ready. The development also included a total of 46,000 m² of rental buildings for businesses in the meat sector.
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
, Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
. It is situated between the railway lines going into Copenhagen Central Station and the street Sønder Boulevard.
The Meat District consists of three separate areas, referred to as the White, Grey and Brown Kødby for the dominant colour of their buildings.
The brown part (Den brune Kødby) is the oldest area, closest to the Central Station, and dating from 1883. It has since c. 2000 been changed into a new creative cluster
Creative class
The Creative Class is a socioeconomic class that economist and social scientist Richard Florida, a professor and head of the Martin Prosperity Institute at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, identifies as a key driving force for economic development of post-industrial...
with galleries, art cafés, nightlife and small creative businesses like studios and architecture firms in the historical buildings. It is also home to DGI-byen
DGI-byen
DGI-byen is a facility that houses various spa facilities, restaurants, hotels, conference facilities, a bowling alley, flexible multi-centres, sports clubs, a superellipse shaped swimming pool and Vandkulturhuset, , located in central Copenhagen, Denmark.DGI-byen is situated within the Meat...
, a sports, swimming and conference complex, and the exhibition hall Øksnehallen, originally a stabling place for 1,600 cattle before slaughtering.
The newer white area (Den hvide Kødby) is a 400 × 600 enclave of white modernistic structures, built in 1934 to the design of city architect Poul Holsøe. The area is listed for conservation and is still serving its original purpose of housing businesses relating to the meat industry, such as the Inco cash and carry wholesale warehouse for the catering business and the Copenhagen Hospitality College
Copenhagen Hospitality College
Copenhagen Hospitality College is a vocational college located in Copenhagen, Denmark. The school is Northern Europe's largest school specialising in hospitality courses and Denmark's largest food institute....
. A municipal master plan aims at creating a mixed-use area, encouraging cultural, design, and gastronomy businesses to settle there, while retaining the meat industry.
Girst stages
In 1671 a cattle market was established at the private initiative of Court Butcher Niels Olufsen at the border of FrederiksbergFrederiksberg
Frederiksberg Kommune is a municipality on the island of Zealand in Denmark. It surrounded by the city of Copenhagen. The municipality, co-extensive with its seat, covers an area of and has a total population of 98,782 making it the smallest municipality in Denmark area-wise, the fifth most...
and Vesterbro. Called Trommesalen (English: "The Drum Hall") because it was opened to the sound of a drum in the morning, it remained the main cattle market of the area for more than two centuries.
In 1878, due to shortage of space and fear of cholera epidemics
Cholera
Cholera is an infection of the small intestine that is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The main symptoms are profuse watery diarrhea and vomiting. Transmission occurs primarily by drinking or eating water or food that has been contaminated by the diarrhea of an infected person or the feces...
, the City decided to construct a new cattle market. A municipal committee suggested a location at Kalvebod Beach, which at the time was situated where the square Halmtorvet
Halmtorvet
Halmtorvet is a public square in the Vesterbro district of Copenhagen, Denmark. It is located next to Copenhagen Central Station in front of the Meat District...
(English: Haymarket) is today. The site was located on the grounds of a large estate which the city had acquired in 1870 from the Royal Copenhagen Shooting Society
Royal Copenhagen Shooting Society
The Royal Copenhagen Shooting Society was founded some time before 1443 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Originally it served to train citizens to contribute to the defence of the city but by the 18th century its activities were of a purely ceremonial and social nature...
. The new cattle market was constructed partly on an area previously occupied by shooting range
Shooting range
A shooting range or firing range is a specialized facility designed for firearms practice. Each facility is typically overseen by one or more supervisory personnel, called variously a range master or "RSO – Range Safety Officer" in the United States or a range conducting officer or "RCO" in the UK...
s, partly on new land reclaimed
Land reclamation
Land reclamation, usually known as reclamation, is the process to create new land from sea or riverbeds. The land reclaimed is known as reclamation ground or landfill.- Habitation :...
along Kalvebod Beach.
The new market opened November 28, 1879, planned and designed by architect Hans Jørgen Holm
Hans Jørgen Holm
Hans Jørgen Holm was a Danish architect. A pupil of Johan Daniel Herholdt, he became a professor at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts and a leading Danish proponent of the National Romantic style.-Biography:...
. The market, stretching from Halvtorvet to the gasworks harbour, was dissected by a broad internal road lined with cattle stable
Stable
A stable is a building in which livestock, especially horses, are kept. It most commonly means a building that is divided into separate stalls for individual animals...
s, sheep pen
Pen (enclosure)
A pen is an enclosure for holding livestock. The term describes multiple types of enclosures that may confine one or many animals. Construction and terminology varies depending on region of the world, purpose, animal species to be confined, local materials used, and cultural tradition...
s and dealers offices on both sides. In 1883, three slaughterhouse
Slaughterhouse
A slaughterhouse or abattoir is a facility where animals are killed for consumption as food products.Approximately 45-50% of the animal can be turned into edible products...
for cattle were constructed and later a slaughterhouse for pigs and two slaughterhouses for cattle, calves and lambs were added. The market area also housed cooling houses and various rendering businesses like tallow
Tallow
Tallow is a rendered form of beef or mutton fat, processed from suet. It is solid at room temperature. Unlike suet, tallow can be stored for extended periods without the need for refrigeration to prevent decomposition, provided it is kept in an airtight container to prevent oxidation.In industry,...
melting houses and blood dryers producing blood meal
Blood meal
Blood meal is a dry, inert powder made from blood used as a high-nitrogen fertilizer and a high protein animal feed. N= 13.25%, P = 1.0%, K = 0.6%. It is one of the highest non-synthetic sources of nitrogen. Blood meal is completely soluble and can be mixed with water to be used as a liquid...
.
As a result of the improved conditions at the new cattle market, all slaughterings at the numerous private open air stockyards
Feedlot
A feedlot or feedyard is a type of animal feeding operation which is used in factory farming for finishing livestock, notably beef cattle, but also swine, horses, sheep, turkeys, chickens or ducks, prior to slaughter. Large beef feedlots are called Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations . They...
around the city were prohibited starting January 1, 1888, and all slaughterings had to take place in the public slaughterhouses. Mandatory meat control was also introduced, requiring all fresh meat coming into the city to be inspected and stamped.
In 1901, the cattle market was extended with construction of Øksnehallen, a 5,200 m2 market hall. It housed dealers' offices and had a capacity for 1600 head of cattle. The extension also included new pens
Pen (enclosure)
A pen is an enclosure for holding livestock. The term describes multiple types of enclosures that may confine one or many animals. Construction and terminology varies depending on region of the world, purpose, animal species to be confined, local materials used, and cultural tradition...
for cattle and sheep and was built by city architect L. P. Fenger.
With the construction of Øksnehallen, the City's attention became directed at the morning trade in fresh pork meat, at that time taking place at Gammeltorv
Gammeltorv
Gammeltorv is the oldest square in Copenhagen, Denmark. With adjoining Nytorv it forms a common space along the Strøget pedestrian zone. While the square dates back to the foundation of the city in the 12th century, most of its buildings were constructed after the Great Fire of 1795 in...
and Nytorv
Nytorv
Nytorv is a public square in the centre of Copenhagen, Denmark. Together with the adjoining Gammeltorv it forms a common space, today part of the Strøget pedestrian zone...
, and it was decided also to construct a market hall for trade in pork. With no vacant space at the cattle market area, the new market hall was placed on reclaimed land where the Falck
Falck (Denmark)
Falck A/S is a Nordic-based organisation with activities in most areas of Europe and representation on three continents. The four business areas: Healthcare, Assistance, Training and Emergency together make up Falck’s business...
Headquarters is today. On April 15, 1910, the a new complex was inaugurated. Besides a 6,500 m² market hall, it included a cooling house, laboratories and administration. From that date forward all trade in pork at Gammeltorv was prohibited, although the so-called Chicken Ladies were still allowed to sell poultry by the aritas Well)). In 1925 the market hall was extended with a new hall for trade in poultry and two new cooling houses, and two years later, in 1927, the poultry vendors were banned from Gammeltorv.
The modern meat market
The many extensions and changes in applied technologies had at that time left the market area in a chaotic and unsatisfactory state. When the neighbouring gasworks closed it was therefore decided to use the vacant land, an area of 15.5 hectares, for a rational rearrangement of the market activities, including market halls, slaughterhouses and related industries in a common scheme.Planning of the new meatpacking district started in 1928 under the direction of city architect Poul Helsøe, according to his design. In October 1932, the new Slaughterhouse and various other buildings were inaugurated, and on April 15, 1934 the new Pork Market Hall and Poultry Market Hall were ready. The development also included a total of 46,000 m² of rental buildings for businesses in the meat sector.
The Meat District today
Though the Meat District has remained a locus for companies and activities relating to the meat and food industry, these original functions take up much less space, and since the early 2000s, the area has been changing into a new creative cluster with galleries, nightlife and small creative businesses such as studios and architecture firms.Popular venues
- Øksnehallen: A 5,200 m² exhibition venue, located in the former cattle market hall of the Brown Kødby. It hosts a variety of cultural and commercial exhibitions, shows and events.
- Galleri Bo Bjarregård: a leading commercial art gallery.
- V1 GalleryV1 GalleryV1 Gallery is a contemporary art gallery located on Vesterbro in Copenhagen, Denmark. It was founded in 2002 by designer Jesper Elg and photographer Peter Funch...
: Another high-profile commercial art gallery. - Karriere BarKarriere BarKarriere Bar is a bar and restaurant in the Meatpacking District of Copenhagen, Denmark, co-founded by Berlin-based, Danish artist Jeppe Hein in 2007. The establishment features interactive and Site-specific art by various international artists. Co-founded by Danish artist Jeppe Hein, it opened in...
An arts bar and restaurant featuring a large number of site-specific artSite-specific artSite-specific art is artwork created to exist in a certain place. Typically, the artist takes the location into account while planning and creating the artwork...
works and hosting various parties and cultural events. - Warehouse9, performance space and art venue
- Kifak, venue for LBGQT ethnic minority group Sabaah
- Kødboderne 18, a night club in a somewhat raw style.
- Jolene: A popular bar, relocated from NørrebroNørrebroNørrebro is one of the 10 official districts of Copenhagen, Denmark. It is northwest of the city centre, beyond the location of the old Northern Gate , which, until dismantled in 1856, was near the current Nørreport station.-Geography:...
where it had to close after neighbour complains due to noise. - Vestauranten: A restaurant located in the Brown Kødby, operated by the neighbouring DGI-byenDGI-byenDGI-byen is a facility that houses various spa facilities, restaurants, hotels, conference facilities, a bowling alley, flexible multi-centres, sports clubs, a superellipse shaped swimming pool and Vandkulturhuset, , located in central Copenhagen, Denmark.DGI-byen is situated within the Meat...
.
External links
- Official municipal homepage
- Koedbynet.dk, portal for meat businesses in the area
- Pictures and development plan, urban architectural site Copenhagen X
- A picture set of the Meatpacking District in Copenhagen