Probably the most debated building in Copenhagen this one is either hated or loved by the citizens. Built in 1996 to house ticket sale for the public transport, tourist information and public toilets it wasn't the most expensive building with a cost of 1.5 mio. Euros. It's situated at Copenhagen's City House Square, one of the busiest places in Copenhagen with a great number of crossing bus lines, lots of cars and bikes and pedestrians in great flocks.
Critics say that it divides the square into two, it's design clashes with the buildings surrounding the square and that it's plain ugly. Several mayors have promised to tear it down, until they discovered what the cost would be and that something had to replace it. So the Black Coffin, as it has been nicknamed, still stands firm.
The discussion have finally ended though, because a new metro station will be built here, so now the building is on the demolition plan for this year. One of the "tenants" in the building will have to find a new location to place a television studio, as Denmark's Radio's Evening Show has been broadcast live from here for the last couple of years.
The City HallI for one won't miss this coffin!
Interesting story, I guess every city has many unnecessary constructions. This square looks huge and beautiful through your lens!
ReplyDeleteWe got exactly the same problem with an ugly building built after the last war just in the middle of the best and more central square in town. But we're still debating, and it is larger than this 'coffin'. Glad you have found a solution.
ReplyDeleteI think 1,5 million Euros is too much for a coffin which divides the square into two and has ugly design. You said, a new metro station will be built on where the coffin stands now? Isn't it not changing at all, the square are still divided, and I'm sure the design will be as modern as other metros'? Oh, it's underground :)).
ReplyDeleteMy apologize, weekend fever. Happy weekend, anyway.
Good story...!
ReplyDeleteNice pics..!
1.5 for a temporary structure? Wow! What an expensive mistake!!!! Glad. though, that the square will soon have something more in keeping with it's beauty!!! Great photos!! I especially like the first one as it really piqued my curiosity...the other photos helped answer my questions...and the coffin reference? Well, I'm just glad they finally are burying this architectural blunder!! Great post, from start to finish!!! You've composed and structured this brilliantly! ~Janine
ReplyDeleteI hope they'll get it right this time, except that they are talking about allowing the bikes to cross the square in dedicated lanes. It's not allowed now, but that doesn't keep a lot of them from doing it anyway. So it'll keep being divided, I fear. Maybe someone have been a bit curious about the tree in the middle of the square? The photos was taken in December, so it's the official Copenhagen Christmas Tree.
ReplyDeleteSo very, very interesting. Let's hope the new station will be a bit better-looking. We have an old city auditorium that is literally falling down and some want to tear it down but others want to restore it. What's funny, it's not even a 100 years old!
ReplyDeleteJust love your blog and your fascinating posts, Chris!