Holm House

The building seen on a photograph from c. 1850

The building visible on a phjotograph from 1907

The complex was built in 1809 for sugar manufacturer Hinrich Ladiges as a replacement for his old property at the site which had been destroyed in the Copenhagen Fire of 1795. Ladiges had moved his sugar refinery from Viborg to Copenhagen in 1757. He died as one of the wealthiest men in the country in 1805[1]

Gammeltorv 14 photographed by Peter Elfelt

Another successful merchant, Lauritz Nicolai Hvidt, lived in the building from 1808 to 1809. He would later become one of the largest shipowners in the country and manager of Bank of Denmark from 1835 and until his death.

A later owner was Christian Holm after whom it has received the name under which it is now known. He was a son of the industrialist and shipowner Jacob Holm.

The linguist Vilhelm Thomsen was born in the building on 25 January 1842. He was a professor of comparative linguistics at the University of Copenhagen from 1887 to 1913 and was awarded the Order of the Elephant in 1812 as one of few non-roral recipients in modern times.[1]

The building facing the square stands in undressed, red brick with sandstone detailing. It is five bays wide and consists of three floors over a high cellar. The gateway opens to a courtyard surrounded by three perpendicular buildings and a rear wing.

A plaque on the facade of the building Commemorates thatVilhelm Thomsen] was born in the building. It was installed on his 101-year birthsday on 25 January 1943. Inside the gateway is a Commemorative plaque that lists all the names of owners of the site since the 15th century.[1]

The Drunken Flamingo, a cocktail bar, is based in the ground floor. Holm & Bertung, a PR agency founded in 1996, is based on the second floor.

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