Bryghusgrunden has literally emerged from nothing at all. The site as well as Frederiksholm where the site is located, did not exist until the 1660s. The site was a water body, which by means of a number of landfills further and further out in the fairway of the harbour over the subsequent centuries, evolved into the area we know today. Part of the site was developed, whereas other parts were not; but today all traces of buildings have vanished due to a fire in 1960. However, the street Bryghusgade (commonly used name Bryghusgrunden), continues to bear witness to the function of the building located at the site, i.e. the King's Brewery of 1772.

1660s – Frederiksholm created

Initially, Bryghusgrunden did not exist at all. The landfills of the harbour and Frederiksholm, where the site is located, were not created until the 1660s.

1767 – Old Christian IV's Brewery (Bryghuset) destroyed by fire

The brewery at Frederiksholm was built as a replacement for the old Christian IV's Brewery. It was located on the other side of Frederiksholms Kanal at Slotsholmen, and burnt down one night in May 1767.

1768 - The Brewery Association took over Bryghusgrunden 

In 1768, the Danish government assigned the site where the new brewery was built to the Brewery Association, provided that the Association would build a brewery and malt production facility at their own expense, enabling the Association to deliver the necessary volumes of beer to the Royal households and the navy.

1772 - The new brewery completed 

The new brewery was completed in 1772, and was inaugurated in the presence of Christian VII, Queen Caroline Mathilde and physician-in-ordinary Struense. The building was impressive; the main building was five stories high on top of a basement with a storage room. The brewery was located on the ground floor, and on the other floors were malt and corn lofts. One of the other wings housed the cooper's workshop, stables, offices and service residences. 

1870s - An industrialised brewery

The industrialisation of the 1800s influenced the Brewery. During the 1870s it was rebuilt and rooms were added, and it became a sort of industrial complex with a distinctive tower silo.

1891 - The United Breweries took over the Brewery 

In 1891, the brewery was taken over by The United Breweries; an association of 11 breweries, created at the initiative of the industrious businessman C.F. Tietgen.

1923 - Brewing ceased 

Around the year 1900, the Brewery was rather dilapidated. In 1917, the silo was demolished, and by 1923 brewing in the old and neglected facility had ceased altogether. The building was subsequently used as a warehouse. 

1960 – Brewery destroyed by fire  

The Brewery was in real trouble when it was set on fire and burnt down in 1960. The remaining buildings were demolished, and the Danish government purchased the site of the old brewery company. The site was laid out to a playground and car-park; the two functions that the site has today.

1941-1993 - Several architectural competitions at Bryghusgrunden  

A number of architectural competitions about the new construction at Bryghusgrunden have been organised. The first competition took place in 1941, then in 1967, in 1985, and again in 1993 when the competition was for a new music building. However, none of the proposed projects were realized.

2005 - Realea A/S purchased Bryghusgrunden  

In 2005, Realdania acquired Bryghusgrunden through its subsidiary Realea A/S from Ørestadsselskabet, which had been assigned the site by the Danish government in 1994. Realdania and Realea aim at creating a building of absolute world-class which is to house e.g. the Danish Architecture Center, the new head office of Realdania, a café, restaurants and playgrounds. The project is to be realized by the Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas.