History of Spinderihallerne
Spinderihallerne originally functioned as a cotton spinning mill built in 1896. For over a century, it served as the heart of Vejle’s historic working‑class neighbourhood, Vestbyen.
The cotton industry was a vital source of life for the city and at one point provided employment for 25% of Vejle’s industrial workforce. Cotton spinning became an industry in which Vejle was both a pioneer and the country’s undisputed centre, earning the city the nickname “Manchester of Denmark.”
In 2004, Vejle Municipality decided to revitalise Spinderihallerne and transform the site into a creative growth centre. The venue reopened in the summer of 2010 and once again buzzes with activity, now serving as a link between the city’s past, present, and future.
The internationally renowned architectural firm Schmidt Hammer Lassen, in collaboration with engineering company NIRAS and landscape architect Jeppe Aagaard Andersen, was responsible for the renovation of Spinderihallerne.
Spinderihallerne is one of the best‑preserved examples of Vejle’s industrial cultural heritage and one of the few complete industrial complexes that still retains its original structure. The renovation was carried out in architectural harmony with the historic buildings.
The redevelopment of Spinderihallerne was realised by Vejle Municipality in collaboration with Realdania and the Danish Ministry of Social Affairs and the Interior.
The Boiler House
In 2013–2014, work began on an expansion of Spinderihallerne, during which the former boiler plant was converted into a new Laboratory for Technology, Design, Play, and Learning. The distinctive industrial building from 1940 now accommodates more than 20 creative businesses and was likewise revitalised with contributions from Realdania.
The renovation was also carried out by Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects. The project began in 2013, and the first tenants moved in in January 2015.
A Brief History
1892: Vejle became home to Denmark’s first cotton spinning mill, located by the harbour.
1896: Vejle Cotton Goods Factory opened in Vestbyen (now Spinderihallerne), giving Vejle the first two cotton spinning mills in Denmark.
1900: The city’s two major spinning mills merged to form A/S Vejle Bomuldsspinderier, which became one of Vejle’s largest workplaces at the time.
1914: The textile industry accounted for approximately 25% of the city’s industrial workforce.
1924: A fire caused extensive damage to Spinderihallerne.
1925: The rebuilt spinning mill became Vejle’s first industrial building constructed in reinforced concrete.
1935: With nearly 1,300 employees, the textile industry was Vejle’s dominant industry.
1948–1953: After World War II, the cotton industry was among the sectors that benefited greatly from the U.S. Marshall Aid.
1968–1969: The cotton industry faced significant challenges in Denmark. Spinning operations at Spinderihallerne were shut down, and the buildings were sold to Vejle Municipality. Parts of the business operated by Windfeld Hansen at Farveriet continued until 2003.
1994: The association Spinderihallerne was established with the aim of creating workspaces for artists in the two large vaulted halls, which had stood partly vacant since 1969. This renewed activity helped pave the way for Vejle Municipality’s decision to transform the site into a creative centre.
2004: Entrepreneurs began moving in, and development of what would become Spinderihallerne commenced with the establishment of BIZ‑ART and Vejle Municipality’s decision to revitalise the halls as a creative growth centre.
2010: Official opening of Spinderihallerne, which today houses approximately 50 creative micro‑businesses, artists, cultural and knowledge institutions, and a municipal development team.
2012: Renovation of the Boiler House (Kedelbygningen), part of the Spinderihallerne building complex, began.
2013: Vejle Museum opened a newly designed 1,000 m² exhibition space.
2015: The first tenants moved into the Boiler House.
2019: Farveriet was fully renovated, and Campus Vejle opened an e‑sports centre in the building.
2019: Container Living established an office village on the area adjacent to Spinderihallerne.
2020: Design company Limbo moved into Farveriet.