Built by the Danish architect Johan Schröder, the house was originally a summer residence for the counsellor F. C. Bruun. It is a mixture of Italian and Victorian Renaissance styles, with five neo-Grecian figures which still stand.
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Dagmar was in Russia during the Revolution. In 1919, she escaped from the Crimea to England. After two years, she eventually returned to Hvidøre. The house was renovated to make it habitable year-round. Dagmar was joined by her the Grand Duchess Olga and family. They lived there together until Dagmar's death at Hvidøre on 13 October 1928.
Olga sold the estate in 1930, and many owners followed until, in 1937 Harald and [Thorvald Pedersen bought the villa. The house was converted into a diabetes hospital and opened on 28 January 1938. People with diabetes could get treatment and learn to live with their disease and have an active life. The hospital accommodated 25 patients.
In 1989 'Novo Industri' and 'Nordisk Gentofte' merged into 'Novo Nordisk A/S'. Hvidøre was merged with Steno Diabetes Center. On 16 August 1993, after renovation, it reopend as an internal conference centre for the Novo Group’s employees and guests.