A new international water technology hub will be built in Aarhus, signaling a major investment in Denmark's green export sector. The project, named 'Vandets Hus' or 'The Water House,' will serve as the headquarters for the European initiative EIT Water. It will be constructed on Pier 3 in the Aarhus Ø harbor district, the final large-scale development phase for the city's waterfront areas.
The development consortium includes Danish firms Bricks, AP Ejendomme, AP Pension, Voluntas, and Heartland, the holding company of Danish billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen. The project is a clear move to consolidate Denmark's position in the global water and cleantech market, a sector where it already holds strong export credentials.
Martin Busk, founder and owner of Bricks, said in a statement that the project combines international reach with local roots. He stated it shows how Denmark can pool resources for water innovation and create new urban spaces that make a real difference.
The EIT Water initiative secured a startup grant equivalent to 37 billion Danish kroner. It is expected to raise several hundred million euros over its 15-year funding period. The hub aims to attract companies, investors, and international talent to the water sector, directly boosting the local and national economy.
Construction is slated to begin in 2027. The transformation of Pier 3, the former ferry terminal, represents the last major piece in redeveloping Aarhus's inner harbor zones, following earlier projects like Kilden & Hindby.
This development strengthens the Øresund region's business corridor, linking Copenhagen's financial power with Aarhus's research and industrial capacity. For international investors, it highlights a continued trend of strategic, state-backed private partnerships in Danish infrastructure. These projects often focus on sectors where Denmark seeks global leadership, like renewable energy and environmental technology.
The direct economic impact will be substantial. It will generate construction contracts, create high-value jobs, and attract foreign direct investment. The long-term play is to build a cluster that dominates European water technology, similar to how Denmark leads in wind power. This creates a pipeline for future exports and reinforces the country's brand as a green solutions provider.
Aarhus is betting big on becoming a European cleantech capital. This hub will compete with similar clusters in the Netherlands and Germany. Its success depends on attracting top talent and securing follow-on private investment after the initial public funding. The involvement of major pension funds like AP Pension shows institutional confidence in the sector's growth. For the Copenhagen stock exchange, it signals more potential listings from mature green tech firms in the coming decade.