The prison was built by Copenhagen County as a replacement for Frederiksholms Arresthus which was located in a former powder magazine from 1665 at Langebro.

The prison at Langebro Bridge had been considered outdated for at least half a century when it was finally decided to build a new onne.

The site that was selected was located within the so-called demarcation line that enforced a no-built zone outside Copenhagen's fortification ring and it therefore had to be approved by king Christian VIII.

Michael Gottlieb Bindesbøll was charged with the design of the new building that was inaugurated on 18 December 1949.

Adam Oehlenschläger had written a cantata for the opening ceremony that was attended by Frederik VII who had succeeded his father earlier that year.