The name Vestergade ("West Street") testifies Gammeltorv's original status as the most important square in Copenhagen.

The city gate was moved a little further to the south in 1668 but Vestergade maintained its role as the principal entrance road for traffic coming from the west.

The number then began to decline, both as a result of the decommissioning of the city's fortifications, the increased importance of the railway and the large and modern hotels that opened on Vester Voldgade in the 1880s.

In 1877, nine inns were left in the street and in 1888 the number had dropped to seven: Sjælland ("Zealand"), Rosen ("The Rose"), Vinhuset ("The Wine House"), Tre Hjorter ("Three Deer"), Garvergården ("The Tannery"), Gardergården ("The (Royal) Guards' House") and Kronen ("The Crown").

Both in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, it was proposed to widen the street and make it more straight but each time it was stopped by opposition from citizens and organisations.

The complex had room for 77 and was replaced by the new Royal Horse Guards Barracks at Frederiksholms Kanal in 1792 when it had become too small.

The company commissioned Frits Schlegel to design a five-storey warehouse and office building in the courtyard.

[8] The building on the opposite corner (Vestergade 37 / Rådhuspladsen 45-47 / Frederiksberggade 40 ) is the former Hotel Bristol, now also known as Absalons Gård.