Hospitalshaven · Frederiksberg
Frederiksberg Open Call
Frederiksberg Municipality’s open call for Building 20 and the Chapel in Hospitalshaven, summarised in English.
Official call · published 1 July 2026
Two buildings, one historic setting.
Frederiksberg Municipality invited professional operators to seek temporary rights of use for Building 20 and the Chapel in Hospitalshaven while the former hospital area is transformed. This page is an English summary of the municipality’s call. Ward 20 is our plan for Building 20 under this call.
The goal is open, inclusive, public-facing experiences anchored in art and culture, sustainability, health and physical activity. A café or other food and beverage service may form part of the activity. Both Frederiksberg residents and visitors are the intended audience.
Building 20≈650 m², ground floor; terrace and new park; annual operating costs ≈DKK 240,000; described usage period late 2026–late 2031.
The Chapel≈250 m² on one level, plus forecourt, garden and basement access; annual operating costs ≈DKK 120,000; described usage period late 2026–late 2034.
The call also states that rights of use are granted for three years with possible extension depending on the planning process. The building descriptions give longer anticipated periods. Applicants must clarify the binding term during negotiation.
Operator responsibilities
Public life, planned and self-financed.
Applicants were asked for an activity plan, annual schedule, opening hours and a considered link between indoor and outdoor areas. The operator would manage staffing, daily activities, start-up costs and fit-out, while respecting the buildings and their neighbours. Municipal funding is not available for operations or project financing; comparable experience or partnerships count positively.
The municipality offered professional guidance, local-network introductions, coordination on logistics and events, help with grant or sponsorship applications and possible launch publicity. Outdoor areas may be used only in consultation with municipal operations teams. Minor start-up costs or relevant building improvements may, by agreement, be offset against rent.
Applications were to be assessed for quality, audience appeal, urban life and visitor potential, site-specific strength, feasibility, organisation and financing. The process comprised written screening, dialogue with selected applicants, then selection and negotiation. The expected start after an agreement was late 2026.
Application requirements
What the application had to include.
- Idea and concept. Describe experiences, audience involvement, café or other refreshments, types of food on sale and, where relevant, communal dining.
- Activity plan. Set out implementation, opening hours for café and activities, types and number of activities, audience engagement and expected weekly visitor numbers for both café and other activities.
- Visualisations. Provide sketches, photographs or references showing form, expression and spatial organisation.
- Organisation and collaboration. Explain responsibilities, partners, experience in café and other activities, and whether participation is open to all or limited to paying guests or members.
- Budget and financing. Show expected income, expenses, funding sources and self-financing; municipal funding could not be included.
- Contact details. Give applicant or entity name, email and telephone number.
Maximum five pages including images, submitted as one PDF in Danish or English. The stated file name was Open Call Hospitalshaven, sent to hospitalshaven@frederiksberg.dk with subject Open Call Hospitalshaven (Name of entity). The published deadline was 15 September 2026 at 12:00. The municipal assessment committee included representatives from the City, Culture and Environment department.
For questions about the original call, the municipality listed Lotte Schiøttz (losc05@frederiksberg.dk) and Sille Sofie Bokul Brethvad (silleb@frederiksberg.dk). The original page lists the past open-house visits on 1 and 8 July, 12, 19 and 26 August, and 9 September 2026.
Building 20 background & FAQ
Why the rooms matter.
Building 20 is part of the second phase of Hospitalshaven’s development and is not scheduled for redevelopment until 2031 onwards. The yellow, single-storey building originally held private patient rooms and most recently a cardiac outpatient clinic. Its present layout has no large open-plan community hall, but smaller rooms could suit studios, workshops, exercise rooms and creative businesses. With modest changes, a small café or refreshment area could open towards the new park.
The municipality’s FAQ points to the need to review technical installations and facilities. The park and outdoor areas remain under municipal management, so activities there are coordinated with the municipality. Accessibility, toilets, food permissions and fire safety are checked before operation.