The first sod at Østre Gasværk in Copenhagen

The minister of the interior and housing, Christian Rabjerg Madsen was present, when AP Ejendomme, along with the Lord Mayor of Copenhagen, Sophie Hæstorp Andersen, and NRE Denmark A/S, who has developed the project, turned the first sod for the coming 223 apartments at Østre Gasværk at Østerbro in Copenhagen.

The residential area has gotten the name Grunwalds Have, and is named after the legendary Danish actor Morten Grunwald, who was in charge of Østre Gasværk Teater for many years. The sod turning also marks the beginning of the construction of a rehearsal hall for the theater, which has been housed in an iconic gas tank at Østre Gasværk since 1979.

The housing consist so-called ’small living’-apartments, that will be between 35-50 square meters, and it will mainly appeal to the young people who wish to enjoy the many possibilities of the city.

Adm. director of AP Ejendomme, Peter Olsson, is pleased that the construction of the building, which is located close to all the best that Østerbro has to offer, can now begin.

- Grunwalds Have has a fantastic location in the middle of Østerbro. There are short distances to both Østerbrogades cozy shopping area to one side, and the Nordhavn harbor area on the other side. It is a location that could not be much better, if you want to live in the Copenhagen bridge Neighborhoods. It is rare that we as builders get the opportunity to build apartments at such a central location in the capital city. Therefore, we are very pleased that we can help support the need for more small homes in Copenhagen, says Peter Olsson. The sod turning also signified the start of construction of 57 public homes, which AKB will own.

NRE Copenhagen is the turnkey contractor for the project, and Peter Olsson looks forward to working with NRE again.

- We have worked with NRE on several projects, and we look forward to continuing the good collaboration, where NRE can carry out the many thoughts that we have for the project. The homes in Grunwalds Have will be certified with the Nordic Ecolabel, and we are absolutely sure that this is something that will benefit the future residents, says Peter Olsson, who expects the homes to be ready for occupancy in 2024.

At NRE, they are looking forward to getting started with the construction for real.

- We have been involved in developing the project from the start, and for us as developers and turnkey contractors, we are of course happy that we can now start to implement the many plans that exist for the building. We have no doubt that it will be a good project that will contribute positively to the area. We thank the many parties in this project for believing in NRE as a long-term partner that creates well-thought-out projects, says Jonas Olesen partner / sales and development director in NRE.

The minister of the interior and housing, Christian Rabjerg Madsen, also look forward to the new central housing at Østerbro.

- It is crucial that our capital has room for everyone - including students on SU. Therefore, I am glad that with this building we get more new housing, not least more new youth housing and public housing. It is important to create a mixed city, says the minister of the interior and housing Christian Rabjerg Madsen.

The Lord Mayor of Copenhagen, Sophie Hæstorp Andersen, is pleased that construction of the homes has finally begun.

- Copenhagen must be a city for everyone, and we are in dire need of housing that is affordable for young people. That is why I am glad that we now have both public youth housing and smaller private housing in the heart of Østerbro. The construction combines housing with a rehearsal room for Østre Gasværk and thus helps to support cultural life. It is important that in our new urban environments we not only think about housing, but also create a framework for culture, so that all people in Copenhagen can also experience a rich cultural life in the future, says Sophie Hæstorp Andersen.