Palads cinema expansion in central Copenhagen approved by city council

The controversial expansion of Copenhagen’s historic Palads cinema and entertainment complex has cleared a key political hurdle after the city’s Climate, Environment, and Technical Committee adopted a local plan allowing the project to proceed.

A majority of committee members—six out of eleven—voted in favour of the plan on Tuesday, with only the Red-Green Alliance (Enhedslisten) and the Alternative party opposing it. The Conservative People’s Party supported the decision, with group leader Morten Melchior calling it “a very good project” that will enhance both the city’s appearance and the cinema experience for residents.

“This will preserve the building’s function, its artwork, and its form,” Melchior said.

The approved plan permits Nordisk Film Cinemas to expand the Palads by nearly 6,000 square metres, primarily through vertical construction. The building’s height will increase to 34 metres across five storeys, with the upper floors designated for a hotel. The cinema itself will remain a core feature of the complex, alongside a new restaurant.

While the plan requires final approval from the City Council (Borgerrepræsentationen), the vote is considered a formality. The decision follows years of heated debate and over 3,000 public comments during the latest consultation period, many advocating to preserve the building’s current design.

A central condition of the plan mandates that over 90% of the Palads’ iconic facade—adorned with Poul Gernes’ colourful artwork—must be retained.

The project’s future had been uncertain for years, but the committee’s approval now paves the way for modernisation while maintaining the building’s cultural significance.