Anders Holch Povlsen is something like the Danish Jeff Bezos. At more than six billion dollars, "Forbes" estimates the textile entrepreneur's fortune; no one in the small kingdom has more money. Povlsen's empire includes the brands Vero Moda and Jack & Jones , and he is also a shareholder in the fashion retailer Zalando . The 46-year-old and his family company Bestseller now want to go even higher - with a 317 meter high tower .

The tallest skyscraper in Western Europe should not be built in London, Frankfurt or Copenhagen. Designed by star architect Dorte Mandrup, the complex is to be built in Brandt, Jutland. Brande? A municipality with just over 7000 inhabitants, roughly half way between Aarhus and the North Sea.

Since the Danish defeat in the war with Prussia in 1864, a motto has shaped the country: what has been lost on the outside must be won inside. "Or in the height", one could complete in view of the tower plans for the Jutland province now.

The skyscraper is to become the new landmark for bestsellers and for Brande, where Povlsen's parents had gradually built up the fashion company. In addition to the office tower, restaurants, shops, apartments, hotel rooms as well as parks and marketplaces are planned.

Criticism of the project has been limited. According to Danmarks Radio, only a few conservationists have so far voiced their opinion. Bestseller itself refers, among other things, to the plans for a company-owned 125-megawatt solar power plant to cover the energy consumption of company buildings. However, in view of such a far-reaching decision, the "Royal Academy of Fine Arts" misses a higher-level political strategy.

The council of the large municipality Ikast-Brande had confidently voted for the project. In an interview, Brandes Mayor Ib Lauritsen explains why his congregation is looking forward to a tower that architecture professor Thule Kristensen likened to "Lord of the Rings" buildings.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: The textile giant Bestseller wants to build a 320 meter high skyscraper in their community with barely more than 7000 inhabitants. What does that mean for you?

Ib Lauritsen: The number of inhabitants is not important. I think that will be an attraction on Jutland, which many are already looking forward to. Like the CN Tower in Toronto or the Eiffel Tower in Paris, people could come and see the building and climb the tower.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: So in future, Brande will be called in the same breath as Toronto, Paris or London or Frankfurt?

Lauritsen: At least as far as the heights of the buildings are concerned, yes.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: What is the biggest challenge with the tower for your community?

Lauritsen: The biggest challenge is people from far away, who think the tower is wrong for some reason. On the other hand, there is a lot of support among our residents for this one hundred percent private project. It is planned, implemented and financed by Bestseller.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Are you not afraid that such a major project will change your community?

Lauritsen: No, I'm not afraid of that. It's only about a very tall house. However, it is indeed a very big project for the community and the whole region, where a big shopping mall should be built and what else belongs to it.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Will people also go for a fire because of the tower?

Lauritsen: Today, many people commute to the city. We have as many jobs here as residents do. Of course, as a church, we would find it nice to live here, but how many will become so difficult to estimate.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Do you already know how you want to market the tower to tourists?

Lauritsen: No, that's not a project that will finish tomorrow. Before 2024 or 2025 no one expects it.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Politically, the plans in the local council were approved in March.

Lauritsen: Yes, without dissent. And in the run-up, only a few architects had expressed reservations.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: How did you manage that in only 17 months planning time? German major projects often have a lot of resistance.

Lauritsen : Surely there would be that in Denmark too, if we were near Aarhus or other big cities. But we are happy that bestseller wants to build its new headquarters also at the previous headquarters - they could have gone to another place.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: The rural area as a location advantage?

Lauritsen: Yes! We are used to taking matters into our own hands. Nothing happens by itself here in central and western Jutland, we always have to do something for ourselves. That's why we respect people who take such a step. Although it is spectacular if you build something higher. If the tower had only been planned at a height of 50 meters, hardly anyone would have been interested.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Now the tower should become so high that even the Danish Air Force had to give their okay yet.

BESTSELLER

On the green field: restaurants, shops, apartments, hotel rooms

Lauritsen: But she has to do that from 50 meters. It's about radar, lighting and other things. The military checked the matter, that was no problem.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Do you know what the tower should cost?

Lauritsen: I've been asked that many times, but I have no idea.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Will there soon be other companies that want to invest so heavily in you?

Lauritsen: I do not know. But I can not imagine anyone else in Denmark would build such a tall house. That will be unique.