The area contained shipyards and engineering industry - Aker Mekaniske Verksted AS - until 1982.

The construction of Aker Brygge was carried out in four steps by the realtors Aker Eiendom AS. A few old industrial buildings were demolished, while several of the major workshop halls were rebuilt as shopping areas. The first step of the construction was finished in 1986, with Telje, Torp and Aasen as architects. The fourth and final construction, the Storebrand insurance building facing Munkedamsveien, was completed in 1998. The area consists of a shopping center with shops and restaurants, a cinema, office space, and apartments. Additionally, there is a small boat harbour, and a terminal for the ferries to Nesodden. The area measures 260,000 m2.

Today, about 6,000 people work in Aker Brygge and approximately 900 people have their homes here.

Aker Brygge was also the scene of an infamous gang-related shootout 19 August 2006. The shooting happened in bright daylight, with several hundred bystanders, including children and tourists in the line of fire. Only two people were wounded and nobody was killed in the incident.

 

Aker brygge and surroundings, February 2008. Aker Brygge is seen to the left, on the furthermost pier in its full length. Oslo City Hall with its characteristic twin towers in the right part of the picture.