FROM FOLK SCHOOL TO HØJHUSET

The site's history dates back to 1961, when three local enterprising textile brothers, the Damgaard brothers, decided to build a folk high school for textile industry employees. Later, the school became a regular folk high school, Herning Højskole, focusing on creative subjects. It closed as a folk high school in 2007.

In 2016, the site was bought by a privately owned fund, whose wish was to preserve an iconic building and a landmark for the city and in line with the Damgaard brothers' original vision: to create a place with a focus on spirit, formation, learning and community for the benefit and enjoyment of many. With this, the foundation stone for a new chapter in the history of the building was laid, and on April 28, 2023, exactly 61 years after the official opening day of the folk high school, the doors opened to Højhuset Kulturhotel. The first of its kind in Denmark.

Højhuset is in a category of its own. As a cultural hotel, Højhuset breaks with the common perception of what a hotel can offer. Because here we are everything. Different hotel management, history, folk high school spirit, community, sustainability, cultural house and green agriculture.

Hotellet byder på 58 enkeltværelser, 22 dobbeltværelser, 1 familie værelse og 5 lejligheder. Det hele nyrenoveret og indrettet i en gennemført 60ér æstetik med respekt for bygningens historie og virke som tidligere højskole.

Højhuset is art, culture, music, and community events, design and architecture. The building invites community, whether on the hotel floors, in the fireplace lounge, in lecture halls or in the cosy courtyards outside. Luxurious frugality, warm hospitality, an unpretentious atmosphere and uncompromising sustainability are the core values of the house.

Watch and listen to the story of the building's wild development from 1961 to the hotel's opening in 2023. The video was made by 196+ forum Vienna I Annex Productions on the occasion of Højhuset receiving the Hotel Innovation Award 2023.

Prices and press

PRICES

Since its opening in April 2023, Højhuset Kulturhotel has received a number of awards and nominations.

Won

Bæredygtig Herning’s Award: Sustainable Initiative of the Year 2023

Herning Kommunes Bygningspræmieringspris 2023

196+ forum Vienna; Hotel Innovation Award 2023

Nominated

EUmies Awards for kvalitetsarkitektur

Erhvervslivets kulturpris 2025

Something to be proud of.

See our certificates here og læs pressens omtale af Højhuset Kulturhotel nedenfor.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO
Within walking distance

Højhuset Kulturhotel is located in Birk, Herning's educational and cultural centre. World-class art is within walking distance. We recommend:

Within driving distance

Deep Forest Artland, Søby Brown Coal Museum, Gable paintings in Brande, Vestjyllands Kunstpavillon – Arne Haugen Sørensen Museum, Warehouse of Art, Textile Museum.

If you are a larger group, we are happy to help with suggestions for a program. We can help you organize, e.g., an art walk in the area or, in collaboration with A Hereford Beefstow, a guided tour in Birk and Lund with a focus on the interaction of art with business, entrepreneurial adventures, or following in the footsteps of Aage Damgaard. Contact Reception for more information.