National Scala

The building's history can be traced back to a pavilion built by Kongens Klub ("King's Club") some 200 metre further to the west in 1846.

It was dismantled when the Zealand Railway Company constructed Copenhagen's new central station, in 1864, and rebuilt on the corner of Vester Farimagsvej (now Axeltorv) and Vesterbro Passage (now Vesterbrogade).

One of the main attractions were the singer Dagmar Hansen while the American illusionist and escape artist Harry Houdini were among the guest performers.

The building then went through a comprehensive renovation under supervision of the engineer Christen Ostenfeld, his first major assignment, and the name was changed to National-Scala.

In 2007, a new owner, Centerplan, decided to demolish the building, launching an invited architectural competition for the site, prior to the company's bankruptcy in 2008.

The project also proposes a renovation of the square that will enhance Fortification Ring's character of being a "green belt"surrounding the city centre.