A bright spot in the middle of Herlev with a character worth preserving
Virkeholm 3 in Herlev is a distinctive commercial property with flexible leases, where offices, warehouses, and showrooms come together as one. The property is divided into several leases, with the ground floor ideal for showroom and retail purposes, offering direct visibility onto Herlev Hovedgade.
In 2025, Stensdal began a thorough renovation and energy optimization of the property. The result is bright, modern premises with a raw, industrial look, large windows, and excellent natural light, creating an attractive environment for both employees and visitors. Compared to the surrounding area, the property is in a league of its own.
With Herlev Hovedgade as a neighbor
Virkeholm offers a very central location - in the business district just behind Herlev Hovedgade.
With Ring 3 and Ring 4 nearby, as well as bus, S-train, and light rail connections in the immediate area, it's easy to get to and from work.
From tobacco factory to multi-user building
A new beginning in 1961
When Virkeholm 3 was built in 1961, it was not just another factory building in western Greater Copenhagen. It was the result of an ambitious merger between three of Denmark's oldest tobacco companies: Chr. Augustinus Fabrikker, C.W. Obel, and R. Færchs Fabrikker. Together, they formed Skandinavisk Tobakskompagni—a consolidated industrial enterprise in need of modern, efficient, and future-proof facilities.
Virkeholm was chosen as the location where production, storage, distribution, and administration could be brought together under one roof. A new multi-story building was constructed here, designed for large-scale industrial operations, with production facilities, lunchrooms, a kitchen, storage, and office areas. The building was designed to accommodate up to 300 employees and represented a clear shift from craft-based tobacco production to mechanized mass production.
Architecture as a foundation
The building was designed by architect Jørn Windfeld Lund, who in the 1950s specialized in industrial construction and standardized construction principles. Virkeholm 3 was built using a classic concrete column-beam system, which allowed for large, flexible floor plans and the possibility of renovation over time. It was functional, rational, and forward-thinking.
It is precisely this flexibility that has proven to be the building's strength. What was originally created for tobacco production has, over the decades, been adapted to new needs and new users.
Windfeld Lund's architectural firm employed around ten people on various projects, several of whom went on to become prominent figures in Danish architecture and urban planning. Among them were Jan Gehl, who later became internationally renowned for his work with urban spaces and human scale, and the artist and sculptor Hans Munk Hansen. Virkeholm 3 is thus not just an industrial building, but part of a larger architectural narrative.
From consolidated industrial enterprise to multi-user property
In the 1960s and 1970s, Skandinavisk Tobakskompagni operated as a single industrial enterprise from its address in Herlev. Production was gradually streamlined, and the building was utilized in line with developments in the industry.
In the 1990s, the tobacco industry underwent significant changes with increased regulation, declining consumption, and international consolidation. Skandinavisk Tobakskompagni became part of a larger corporate structure, and production at Virkeholm ceased.
In 1986, the property was converted into a multi-user building, and new businesses moved in. The building changed function, but not identity. The industrial structure and flexible floor plans made it possible to continue using the building in a new role.
A building in motion
Today, Virkeholm 3 is an active commercial building, where history can still be seen in its construction and scale. Its industrial origins are part of the character of the place, but the framework has been continuously modernized and adapted to today's needs.
Most recently, the property has been given a new canteen and communal facilities, continuing the 1960s idea of bringing people together around work. Then, as now, the aim was to create a functional framework in which companies could develop.
Virkeholm 3 is an example of how solid architecture and long-term thinking can give a building a life that extends far beyond its original purpose.
Is your next rental property at Virkeholm 3?
Explore our available commercial leases in Greater Copenhagen or contact us and tell us more about your business. We might have something in the pipeline that suits your needs.
