The north-western shore of Amager was originally characterized by a shallow watered beach. The northern part of this area was reclaimed already in the 1620s with the construction of Christianshavn and the fortification of Copenhagen, while the area which would later become Islands Brygge remained undeveloped until the 1880s. At that time the shoreline was situated just east of present-day Artillerivej. In the 1880s, Christian IV's Arsenal on Slotsholmen had become too small, and the military received permission to reclaim an area to the south-west of Slotsgraven for the purpose of new military facilities. The area was filled in 1887-88 and a new arsenal, shooting ranges and army barracks were constructed on the land.