The villa is situated at Strandvejen 259, on the border between Charlottenlund and Skovshoved, Gentofte Municipality.

The house was built in 1885 for Emil Edvard Schnackenburg (1818–1894) and was designed by the architect Vilhelm Petersen.

[3] Schnackenburg is later mentioned as the owner of a brickyard,[1] most likely Rydhave Brikyard at his father-in-law's estate.

[4] Caroline Marie Schnackenburg sold Villa Rydhave to Carl Drost (1852–1926) in 1900.

Hansen expanded the estate with a number of adjacent properties located to the north.