Construction defects force demolition of 172 new Fælledby homes

Two newly built residential buildings in Fælledby, a housing development on Amager Fælled, will be demolished because of serious construction defects, leaving 172 homes empty before anyone has moved in, DR reports.

Among those affected are Casper Bech and Amalia Lund, who bought a 112-square-metre apartment for DKK 5.7 million. They were attracted by its location close to nature, the city, a school and a nursery.

“I would almost say that it is a bereavement. We are completely devastated. It is a dream that has now been completely destroyed,” Bech told DR.

The couple were originally told they could move in in March 2025, but the move-in date was postponed several times. They have now been told that their contract has been terminated.

Bech and Lund sold their cooperative apartment after buying in Fælledby. They currently rent a one-room apartment in Kastrup, which is also due to be sold. They had planned to live there temporarily until their new home was ready.

“We have gone from being part of the housing market to suddenly being out of it, because our housing contract has simply been cancelled as of today,” Bech said.

The couple said they had repeatedly asked at residents’ meetings whether the buildings might have to be demolished. According to Bech, Fælledby denied that possibility and gave them the impression that construction defects were being repaired.

“We feel that we have been kept waiting. I think it is deeply unacceptable, and we are very upset,” he said.

Fælledby has contacted all affected owners and tenants with offers of compensation. Bech said the couple had not been told the exact amount, but that they were dissatisfied with the offer.

“It does not correspond to the price increase for similar apartments since we bought the one in Fælledby. There is at least half a million missing,” he said.

Henrik Steenstrup, chairman of Fælledby’s board, said the project had not expected to end up in the current situation and acknowledged the frustration among buyers and tenants.

“It has unfortunately taken time to get to the bottom of the investigations. But ultimately, it is our responsibility as the developer to deliver a responsible and proper product. That was not possible according to the conclusions of our advisers,” he wrote in an email to DR.

Steenstrup said compensation would take account of price increases. He said independent valuations had been carried out for each home, taking into account the purchase date and general price developments in the area, and that two estate agencies had provided assessments.

A controversial development

Fælledby has been a controversial project for years. The civic group Amager Fælleds Venner has opposed the development, arguing that the area should remain natural. Construction was paused in 2021 and 2022 while the possible impact on the protected great crested newt was examined.

Fælledby is expected to be completed in 2032, with 20 apartment buildings containing more than 2,000 homes. The plans also include a school for 1,500 pupils and two childcare institutions.