By the time DRUPA comes around again in May 2020, Messe Düsseldorf will have a new 140 million Euros hall and entrance.

Last week, the city's Lord Mayor, Messe board chairman and representives of architects and contractors joined Messe president and chief executive Werner Dornscheidt for a ground-breaking ceremony.

The project - one of the most ambitious construction projects in the history of Messe Düsseldorf - will deliver a new multi-functional hall with conference facilities and a fully-glazed new entrance south complete by mid 2019.

The design includes a translucent LED-lit canopy roof, a 2112 m2 foyer suitable for events, and adjacent underground parking.

A new Hall 1 replaces the current Halls 1 and 2, is 158 metres long and 77 metres wide, and covers more than 12,000 m2 with a 20 metre ceiling height. Conference rooms on the first floor offer 200 m2 of space for 198 guests.