The successful industrialist and landowner Johan Frederik Classen was an enthusiastic bibliophile, buying books both at home and abroad, until he had a library.

The library was to receive an annual sum of 3,000 rigsdaler from the Classenske Fideicommis, a charitable foundation which he set up in his will.

The library was built to Peter Hersleb Classen's own design, presumably assisted by Andreas Kirkerup.

[3] The facade has rustication on the ground floor and a loggia with eight columns, showing influence from Ancient Roman architecture.

[2] Today the building houses Konserveringsfagligt Videncenter (KViC), the library of the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts' School of Conservation.