History

The Circus Building

Today the Circus Building is the oldest of its kind in Europe. It was inaugurated with an enormous public celebration in Copenhagen on 8 May 1886. Since then, the building has played host to a wide variety of Danish and international circus troupes. From 2003 Wallmans Dinnerparty has been the Circus Building’s resident entertainment.

A bargain

In 1884, Fritz Petersen, a master carpenter, purchased the site on Jernbanegade, next to Axeltorv, for DKK 954,000. The Circus Building was then built. It was designed by the architect H. V. Brinkopff, while the beautiful horse-racing frieze, which encircles the outside of the building, was created by the sculptor, Frederik Hammeleff.

At that time the Circus Building covered a much bigger site. It stretched right up to Studiestræde and was occupied by stable buildings, which housed all the different circus animals, including elephants, giraffes, and horses. Facing Axeltorv was the Artistcafé, a café, where guests could let their hair down during the intervals. The Artistcafé still exists today. Exactly as it was all those years ago, the café is a popular venue for visitors to the Circus Building and Wallmans.

1914. Fire in Copehagen

In spring 1914 a fire broke out in the Circus Building. Sadly, when the fire brigade arrived, it was too late. It took between three and four hours to extinguish the fire. As a result only the foundations, external walls and portal remained. Fortunately the building was empty during the fire, so there was only material damage.

After just one year, in 1915, the Circus Building was rebuilt. This time it was the very first building in Denmark to be constructed with the use of reinforced concrete. The architect, Holger Jacobsen was commissioned to undertake the task, in cooperation with consultant engineer Cock-Clausen. The external walls and frieze of the original building were preserved.

Circus through the ages

During the summer the Circus Building provided a venue for international and Danish circus troupes, while in winter the building was used for theatre, pantomime and ballet performances. In 1937 “World Cinema” took over the winter programme.

Throughout its history a multitude of Danish and international circus troupes have played in the Circus Building. On the international front these include Renz, Busch, Wulff, Beketow Cinicelli, while Circus Schumann, Circus Miehe and Circus Benneweis have been the major Danish circus dynasties to perform in the building. Circus Benneweis presented their first show in 1970, but at that time there was great debate and uncertainty with regard to the future of the Circus Building.

The fight for the Circus Building

As a result of the debate about the possible demolition of the Circus Building, at the start of the 1970s Circus Benneweis initiated a campaign for the conservation of the building with the support of active politicians and a united Danish press. The campaign attracted so much popular and political support that in 1974 the City of Copenhagen purchased the building from the ANVA department store.

In 1982 the City of Copenhagen began a comprehensive and thorough renovation of the Circus Building with the objective of restoring it to its original appearance. That led to highlighting the distinctive architecture of the Circus Building with the enormous dome, the arched corridors, the festive lobby, the coloured seating and the special circus atmosphere. Meanwhile, everything was given a highly successful, extra touch with the unique colours selected by the architect, Verner Panton.

After the restoration both the Circus Building itself and Verner Panton’s colour scheme were listed. This meant that the future of the Circus Building was secured as a significant part of the city’s cultural life.

Circus Benneweis continued to perform in the Circus Building right up until 1990.

The Circus Building in the 21st century

After the renovation, the City of Copenhagen outsourced the management of the building, first to Tivoli (1984-1996) and then to Parken (1997-2002). In 2003 the Swedish entrepreneur Hasse Wallman (born 1936) took over the running of the Circus Building. In 2009 Wallmans became part of the entertainment company Moment Group, who two years later, in 2011, purchased the Circus Building from the City of Copenhagen. On 1 May 2014, Balder bought the building and at the same time entered into a lease with Wallmans / Moment Group.

Since 2003, you have been able to experience Wallmans Dinnerparty (formerly Wallmans Dinnershow) in the Copenhagen cultural icon.

In addition to Wallmans Dinnerparty, today the Circus Building also plays a major role in Danish and international business communities. The Circus Building can accommodate professional and social events, with room for between 200 and 1,000 guests. This makes it an ideal venue for everything from corporate events, award shows and anniversaries to congresses, conferences and meetings.