Project: Strandgade Apartments
Architecture: Studio David Thulstrup
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Year: 2024
Photo Credits: Irina Boersma, César Machado
Located at Strandgade 104 in Copenhagen’s historic Christianshavn district, Strandgade Apartments by David Thulstrup represents the rebirth of a 218-year-old hide warehouse. Once an industrial landmark, the building has been transformed into four luxury residences that blend heritage preservation with contemporary sophistication. The result is an architectural dialogue between past and present — a “new old” address that celebrates craftsmanship, material honesty, and timeless Danish design.
A Dialogue Between History and Modernity
The renovation of the Strandgade warehouse required a delicate balance between respect for history and the creation of modern comfort. Rather than erasing the building’s industrial identity, David Thulstrup chose to reveal and reinterpret it. The original pine beams, brick walls, and rendered finishes remain visible, grounding the interiors in the building’s authentic fabric.
In contrast, modern insertions — sleek glass, refined stone, and carefully designed lighting — bring a sense of luxury and precision. The result is not imitation but evolution. As Thulstrup explains, “I don’t want to mimic the past, I want to put the future into the past.”
Material Honesty and Craftsmanship
A restrained palette of natural materials defines the project. Dinesen wood planks run across the floors, adding warmth and texture while enhancing the character of the original structure. Finnish stone introduces subtle contrast and refinement. Perhaps the most poetic gesture lies in the use of Sorensen Leather — sourced from Denmark’s finest producers — to clad the elevator. This detail pays homage to the building’s former life as a hide warehouse, giving new meaning to its material history.
By working with these authentic elements, Strandgade Apartments embodies the essence of Danish design: simplicity, tactility, and respect for craftsmanship. Each material serves both an aesthetic and narrative purpose, tying the project back to its roots.
Space, Light, and Architectural Integrity
Prevented from subdividing the interiors due to heritage restrictions, Thulstrup instead enhanced the sense of openness. Two sculptural central cubes were inserted into each apartment to house the stairwell, kitchen, and bathrooms. These freestanding volumes define zones without enclosing them, allowing residents to experience the building’s full height and structure.
Expansive windows frame views of Copenhagen’s historic canal on one side and the vibrant cityscape on the other. Natural light floods through the interiors, creating an ever-changing dialogue between architecture, atmosphere, and history.
Refined Urban Living in Christianshavn
The project includes three single-level residences and a two-storey penthouse, each designed with meticulous attention to proportion and detail. On the ground floor, a shared area provides access to a sauna, entertainment rooms, and a private courtyard leading directly to the marina berths. These communal amenities extend the building’s character beyond private spaces, reinforcing a sense of connected, elegant urban living.
Set for completion in February 2024, Strandgade Apartments by David Thulstrup stands as a masterclass in adaptive reuse — transforming a humble industrial relic into a refined residential landmark. The project captures the essence of Copenhagen itself: historic yet forward-looking, understated yet deeply expressive.
