Richshuset

Richshuset is an Art Deco office building located at the intersection of Rådhuspladsen and Vesterbrogade, distinguished by its prominent corner tower topped with gilded weather girls and a neon thermometer running up its side. The structure combines commercial ground-floor spaces with office areas above, featuring characteristic Art Deco design elements throughout its facade.

The building was completed in 1936 by architect Alf Cock-Clausen on the site of the former Central Hotel. It initially served as the headquarters for C.F. Rich & Sons, a company producing coffee substitute products, before its operations moved elsewhere in 1969.

The gilded weather girls perched on the corner tower were sculpted by Danish artist Einar Utzon-Franck and remain a recognizable feature that shapes how people experience this square. They represent a playful approach to architectural decoration that catches the eye of everyone passing by.

The building sits in a busy area with good public transportation access and is easy to reach on foot from the city center. The ground-floor shops and exterior features can be viewed freely, making it convenient to see the Art Deco details and the tower decorations from the street.

The neon thermometer running up the tower is one of Copenhagen's few surviving neon advertisements from the 1930s and still displays the temperature to passersby. This glowing sign represents a rare surviving example of early modernist advertising that continues to function after nearly a century.

Location: Copenhagen Municipality

Inception: 1936

Architects: Alf Cock-Clausen

Architectural style: Art Deco

GPS coordinates: 55.67588,12.56720

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:04