Det Harboeske Enkefruekloster

History

The lot was originally acquired by landdrost Simon de Pethum when Stormgade was created together with the rest of the new Frederiksholm neighbourhood. The house was possibly designed by court architect Lambert van Haven. He lived in the building with his wife and 11 children. In 1700, Lambert van Haven's widow sold the property to Baroness Margrethe Eilersen (1648-1708), the mother of Christina Christina Eilersen. The two baronesses lived in the house until Christina's marriage to former war minister Jens Harboe. Eilersen died in 1708 and in 1711 the wealthy couple extended the house in Stormgade with the assistance of Elias David Häusser who had also designed the 1st Christiansborg Palace. Jens Harboe died after six years of marriage, leaving one of the richest widows in Denmark. Christina Harboe died in 1735, shortly after her return from a journey to Pars and London. Before her departure, she had written a will which turned her property in Stormgade into a residence for 12 pious widows in need from the upper classes.

The building was extended with two bays and an extra floor by Elias David Häusser in connection with its conversion into a foundation. In 1754-60, the property was expanded and adapted under the supervision of Lauritz de Thurah. He created a building identical to the existing one and connected the two by a low gateway wing. In 1772, Caspar Frederik Harsdorff merged them into one building, topped by a large Mansard roof.

In 2000, Realdania Byg took over the heavily neglected building and put it though a major renovation under the direction of Jens Baumann.