The Jahrhunderthalle (Century Hall) was constructed in 1902 for the Düsseldorf Trade Exhibition where it served as an exhibition hall for the “Bochum Union” industrial group. After the exhibition had ended, the hall was used as a blast engine machine hall for the blast furnaces of the Bochum Union. The hall was extended many times. Today its name is used to refer to the entire site, which has a total surface area of 8,900 square metres.