Helgolandsgade was not established until circa 1880, making it one of the youngest streets in the Inner Vesterbro area. The site was prior to that part of Gartner Hintze's market gardens. The main building faced Vesterbrogade and the area down towards the railway (now Halmtorvet) was planted with fruit trees and fruit bushes. The street was named after the island of Helgoland to commemorate the Battle of Helgoland in 1864.