On 14 September 2018, the Messe Düsseldorf (www.messe-duesseldorf.de) held a topping-out ceremony marking the halfway point in one of its most ambitious construction projects to date. The new, multifunctional Hall 1, the south entrance as well as an adjacent plaza and underground car park are due for completion by autumn next year, in time for “K 2019” (16-23 October; www.k-online.com).

Covering an area of 12,027 m², the new hall will have enough space for 10,000 people with an additional six 200 m² meeting rooms on the first floor. A 7,800 m² canopy-covered plaza will lead up to the glass-enclosed south entrance, which offers another 2,112 m² of event space. Conceived as an architectural highlight for the city of Düsseldorf, the association expects the new complex to strengthen the Messe Düsseldorf’s standing as an international meeting point for a wide range of industries.