Copenhagen Waterworks, Industrial water facility in Studiestræde, Denmark
The Copenhagen Waterworks comprises multiple buildings of yellow brick with arched windows and slate roofs, organized around a central pumping station. The facility originally drew water from surrounding lakes and groundwater, then distributed it citywide via a reservoir tower located in Søndermarken.
The facility opened in 1859 as Denmark's first water treatment plant, a direct response to the cholera outbreak of 1853 that shocked the city. This founding marked a turning point in how Copenhagen approached public health and sanitation.
The former engine house now operates as Pumpehuset, a live music venue where concerts and cultural events draw regular crowds. This transformation shows how industrial spaces adapt to become gathering places for the community.
The site can be explored on foot as several buildings are now accessible to the public or house a daycare facility. Visit during daylight hours to properly appreciate the architecture and surrounding area.
The British firm Cochrane & Co engineered the water system while Danish architect Niels Sigfred Nebelong designed the individual buildings. The station operated until 1951 and its distinctive yellow brick facades remain a recognizable feature of the area.
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