Havneholmen 33 – Allerhuset Headquarters on Copenhagen’s Waterfront

Media House on the Water’s Edge

Havneholmen 33 occupies a prominent position on Copenhagen’s inner harbour, in the redeveloped district between Vesterbro and Islands Brygge. Here, former industrial and docklands have been reimagined as a mixed waterfront quarter of offices, homes, cafés and bike lanes. The building is widely known as Allerhuset, the headquarters of Nordic publishing group Aller, whose portfolio of magazines and media brands has shaped Danish popular culture for more than a century. From the outside, the complex reads as a sculpted volume poised above the quay. Large expanses of glass and pale cladding mirror the constantly shifting light over the harbour, while the building’s angled geometry subtly follows the lines of the waterfront. It is very much a product of Copenhagen’s 21st‑century transformation, combining corporate workspace with an open, maritime setting.

Architecture by PLH in Contemporary Danish Style

Completed in 2009 and designed by Danish firm PLH Arkitekter, the building covers roughly 28,000 square metres over nine floors. Its architectural language is distinctly modern: horizontal bands of glazing, sharp corners and recessed sections create a dynamic silhouette that changes as you move around it. From some angles it appears compact and discreet; from others it stretches long and low along the water like the bow of a ship. The façades emphasise transparency, a common theme in Scandinavian office architecture. By day, the glass surfaces reveal layered interiors and circulation spaces; by night, the illuminated floors turn the building into a lantern on the harbour. Though primarily an office block, its carefully orchestrated volumes and waterside terraces give it a civic presence that goes beyond its commercial role.

A Harbourfront Setting of Bridges and Boardwalks

What makes Havneholmen 33 particularly engaging is its immediate context. The building stands just east of the large Fisketorvet shopping centre, separated by a narrow canal and connected by promenades that trace the water’s edge. A short distance away, the elegant Bryggebroen bridge and the elevated Cykelslangen cycle bridge carry cyclists and pedestrians between Havneholmen and the opposite bank at Islands Brygge, adding movement and energy to the scene. The quayside in front of the building often feels more like a public waterfront than a corporate forecourt. Commuters roll past on bikes, harbour buses glide along the water, and office workers cluster on benches and steps during breaks. Even though the building itself is not a public attraction, its presence contributes to a broader urban experience of walking, sitting and watching life unfold along the canal.

Inside a Nordic Media Headquarters

Behind the glass, Havneholmen 33 houses the operations of Aller and other companies, including open-plan office floors, meeting rooms and internal facilities such as canteen and lounge areas. The interior layout focuses on flexible workspaces and internal transparency, with visual connections between departments and across levels. While access is restricted to employees and invited guests, glimpses through the façade offer a sense of the building’s bustling daily rhythm. The choice of a harbourfront location was symbolic for Aller, marking a new chapter after its previous headquarters and underlining its role as a modern, outward-looking media house. The building’s image frequently appears in corporate material, reinforcing its status as both workplace and brand statement. For architecture enthusiasts, it represents an example of how contemporary Danish offices engage with their urban and maritime surroundings.

Experiencing Havneholmen as an Urban Walk

For visitors exploring Copenhagen on foot or by bike, Havneholmen 33 is a natural waypoint rather than a destination in itself. You might pass it on the way between Vesterbro and Islands Brygge, or while circling the inner harbour. From the quayside, you can observe the interplay of reflections, boats and cyclists, and appreciate how the building’s modern lines frame views toward the city skyline and the rail tracks near Dybbølsbro. The most rewarding moments tend to come in the softer light of early morning or late afternoon, when glass and water pick up pastel tones and the busy offices contrast with the calm harbour. Paired with nearby bridges, promenades and public seating, the building helps define a contemporary Copenhagen waterfront where everyday life, commuting and architecture intersect.