CPH Zoo to tear down iconic building

Old elephant house has stood since 1914

Copenhagen Zoo has revealed there are plans afoot to tear down one of its most iconic buildings: the famous old elephant house.

The landmark red brick building is located in the centre of the zoo right next to the new elephant house designed by the British architect Norman Foster, which was completed in 2008.

Since the opening of the new elephant house, the old building has remained empty as the zoo had been tinkering with the possibility of setting up a cafe or concert location inside it. Those ideas, however, haven’t materialised into anything concrete.

READ MORE: Bjarke Ingels to design new panda enclosure at CPH Zoo

Municipal decision
Instead the zoo wants to tear down the buildings to provide more space for an outdoor area for the new pandas – set to arrive in about two years’ time.

First erected in 1914 and designed by the architect P A Rosenkilde, the old elephant house used to offer shelter to the elephants in the zoo after dark.

The house has a conservation value of 2.0, which is high enough to warrant a municipal decision on its demolition plans.

Frederiksberg Municipality is expected to make a decision on the issue in May.

TOP STORIES

  • Cross-border moves on the rise in the Øresund region

    Cross-border moves on the rise in the Øresund region

    The number of relocations across the Øresund Region is rising. As highlighted by 2023 numbers, Sweden benefits from a growing interest, especially among younger generations.

  • Tunø: An island running out of time

    Tunø: An island running out of time

    The island of Tunø harbors a community of 74 adults and one child. There are no cars and only one connection to the rest of the world. Now, climate change threatens it

  • In conversation with Conrad Molden: The man behind the mic

    In conversation with Conrad Molden: The man behind the mic

    He’s tickled our funny bone with countless wisecracks and clever wordplay, and in the process, made Denmark feel a little more personable to many expats. An international import himself, funny man Conrad Molden has successfully carved out a niche for himself on the Danish stand-up scene, but it’s taken a solid 13 years, much trial and error, and heaps of Danglish

  • Here Comes The Sun…

    Here Comes The Sun…

    I escaped from Denmark this winter to the south of France, where I was convinced that the sunshine would inspire me to write this year’s Crazy Christmas comedy show.

  • Volunteer Night 2025: when volunteering rhymes with integrating

    Volunteer Night 2025: when volunteering rhymes with integrating

    On Wednesday, April 30, from 17:00 to 20:00, Studenterhuset will host Volunteer Night 2025, a free event organized by the organization International House Copenhagen, which goal is to ease the relocation process for newcomers in Denmark

  • The international who shaped Copenhagen

    The international who shaped Copenhagen

    Anna Maria Indrio is one of the most important architects in Denmark, having contributed to shaping Copenhagen into what it is today. Among her best-known projects are the extension of SMK and Arken, as well as the Natural History Museum and the Darwin Centre in London. She moved here 60 years ago, when “Copenhagen was gray and dormant. Predictions suggested it would become depopulated. But putting people at the center changed everything,” she said

Connect club

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.

Sign up here

Career

Want to advertise your job with CPH Post?

Contact us

Jobs