Palads still has its glory
Video report
The Palads building, with its iconic pastel façade and century-long cinematic history, stands as one of Copenhagen’s most beloved cultural and architectural landmarks. Despite an unprecedented 3,128 formal public objections during municipal hearing rounds, the City of Copenhagen approved a local development plan that permits the gutting and partial demolition of the building to make way for a commercial high-rise redevelopment.
This decision prioritises capital-driven real estate interests over public sentiment, embodied carbon preservation, and existing built heritage. As part of the European Action Week, ByggestopBevægelsen joined forces with Bevar Palads, allied grassroots groups, and citizens to challenge this ongoing cycle of needless demolition.
The action
On Saturday, September 5, hundreds of Copenhageners, cultural workers, climate activists, architects, and local residents gathered outside Palads at Axeltorv.
The stage hosted a broad range of speakers representing grassroots campaigns, youth movements, and local politicians who voted against the demolition. Voices from across the movement condemned the municipal disregard for genuine democratic consultation and highlighted the urgent need to halt the destruction of structurally sound buildings during a climate crisis. The speeches were complemented by musical performances and artistic contributions addressing collective grief and urban memory.
In a powerful demonstration of solidarity and resistance, attendees joined hands to encircle the entire building in a human chain (menneskering)—symbolically shielding Palads from demolition excavators and demonstrating community ownership of public space.
Speech highlights from the day:
We are not simply "opposed to change" or "afraid of the future," as is often claimed by politicians and others who uncritically go with the flow. We have a vision for the adaptive reuse of a central location in the heart of Copenhagen, and that vision is grounded in equal parts science and historical experience.
We risk reducing Palads to a bizarre, colorful shell - a kind of stage intended to tell us that Palads is still here, even though much of what made it worthy of preservation is gone.
IN OUR VIEW, THAT IS NOT PRESERVATION.
The City of Copenhagen is failing to meet its obligation to safeguard buildings of heritage value. With this case, the municipality is dealing a death blow to the system.
The Message & Next Steps
Demolition is neither green nor inevitable. The fight for Palads is not an isolated battle—it reflects a systemic issue across European cities where embodied carbon, local identity, and cultural heritage are sacrificed for speculative new construction.
By connecting our local protest to the broader European Action Week, we sent a clear signal to decision-makers and developers: we refuse to accept the demolition of our shared heritage. The coalition that formed around Palads is organised, growing, and will continue to push for a structural shift in Danish building policy toward conservation, adaptive reuse, and true climate accountability.