Copenhagen Greenlights Landmark Mixed-Use Project Near Central Station

The City of Copenhagen has officially signed off on the long-awaited "Vesterport Quarter" mixed-use development, paving the way for 84,000 square metres of new commercial and residential space just west of the CBD. At a meeting on Thursday evening, members of the City Council voted 29-14 in favour of the highly anticipated project, which is set to rise along the stretch between Reventlowsgade and the leafy edge of Halmtorvet, immediately south of Copenhagen Central Station.

Approval of the project marks a pivotal moment in the capital’s push to balance rapid population growth, climate ambitions and the mounting pressure for affordable, centrally located housing. With the urban core hemmed in by historic streets and tourist hotspots, the Vesterport Quarter plan taps into underused rail-adjacent land, signalling a willingness at City Hall to densify even Copenhagen’s most congested quarters.

Prime Real Estate and City Ambitions

Copenhagen’s Technical and Environmental Administration estimates the Vesterport scheme—led by real estate giant Carlsberg Byen P/S and Dutch architects MVRDV—will deliver 580 new homes, including at least 110 earmarked as affordable rental units via the city’s Almene Boliger program. Retail outlets, a 22-storey office tower, and a public rooftop park are included in the revised masterplan. The site, which currently houses car parks and low-rise warehouses behind Hotel Astoria, has long been flagged as a key regeneration opportunity given its proximity to Tivoli, the Meatpacking District, and Dybbølsbro S-Train station.

"We are simply running out of options to provide centrally located, sustainable housing," said an urban planner at the municipality familiar with the project documents. The area is a three-minute walk from Rådhuspladsen and less than 500 metres from the metro, cycle superhighways, and the new 17,000-seat Forum Arena, slated to open by 2027.

Numbers, Prices, and the Road Ahead

According to figures tabled with council documents, the total investment for the Vesterport Quarter will top 1.2 billion DKK, with ground slated to break early next year. Apartments will range from compact 44 m² studios to larger three-bedroom units, with private flats expected to hit the market at around 66,000 DKK per square metre. For comparison, the average price in central Vesterbro last quarter was 61,350 DKK/m², according to Boligsiden.dk.

The city has mandated that 19 percent of total floor area be reserved for non-market housing as a condition of approval. Construction is to proceed in two phases, with the first move-ins scheduled for late 2029. The project comes in the aftermath of failed luxury developments at Nordhavn and mounting criticism over the city’s ability to deliver promised affordable stock amid a residential squeeze—an issue made more urgent by this summer’s record heatwaves and growing demand for energy-efficient homes.

The City’s planning team told The Daily Copenhagen that updated traffic modelling will be released in September. Public consultations on ground-floor retail and access routes begin July 18th. Locals with concerns about construction, parking, or amenities can submit feedback online or attend the next district forum at Skydebanehaven on August 12th. Meanwhile, buyers interested in off-plan apartments can register interest with selected agents, as pre-sales will open in early October.