Børsen, Copenhagen

Børsen is the historic trading building beside Christiansborg Palace, and its most famous feature was a dragon-shaped spire. Built during the reign of Christian IV, it served commerce before becoming Copenhagen’s stock exchange. The building was designed by Lorenz van Steenwinckel and Hans van Steenwinckel the Younger in the Northern Renaissance style.

Its signature spire rose about 56 m and formed four intertwined dragon tails, crowned by three crowns representing Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. The dragons were intended to guard the building against enemies and fire. That remarkable silhouette disappeared during the fire of 16 April 2024, when the spire collapsed and about half the building was destroyed.

The blaze also caused part of the north façade and part of the west gable to fall two days later. Look at the long façade and imagine the trading life inside: the building originally held 40 offices at ground level and a large upper room. Staff, emergency workers, and passers-by rescued several hundred historic artworks from the fire, including Peder Severin Krøyer’s major exchange painting.

Reconstruction began on 26 September 2024, using materials made or gathered for the project, including handmade bricks, timber, and recycled copper. Børsen remains a place where commerce, craftsmanship, and a dramatic act of loss meet in the same building.