During the first half of the 20th century, the oil port was located in the area, but moved to the eastern parts of the harbor around 1945 to make room for the shipyard.

In 2001, the Bo01 European Housing Exposition was held in Västra Hamnen, marking the start of the new district.

[3][4] The main reason why people from Malmö were drawn here was that the promenade and the viewing platform were quickly used as a bathing area.

The large Kockums Crane disappeared in 2002, but was replaced as a landmark in 2005 by Sweden's tallest residential building, Turning Torso.

Västra Hamnen is also known as "the City of Tomorrow", and is the first district in Europe that claims to be carbon neutral.

The district uses aquifer thermal energy storage system to heat buildings in the winter and cool them in the summer.