During the 19th century, and long into the 20th century, the entire inner harbour was encircled by warehouses. They stood on piles in the intertidal zone, with the gable ends facing towards the sea - almost like a string of pearls around the harbour. During high tide, the warehouses were accessible for loading and unloading from three sides. The boats could enter the narrow openings between the warehouses. The warehouse features characteristic gable dormers. These are located on the gable ends facing the sea and on the side walls. The dormers contain windlasses

these devices were used by hand to lift heavy objects. A cable ran from the object over a pulley to the drum, where lengths of cable were wound or unwound to move the object. One could operate the pulley from any storey of the building

goods were received through openings in the wall. Following reconstructions, the doors in the openings were replaced with panes of glass.