The Master Plan 2006 and the new-look Cologne exhibition center

At the start of the new millennium, Koelnmesse announces its Master Plan for redesigning the exhibition center, scheduled for completion in 2010. Following the acquisition of land to the north of the site, the plan includes the construction of new halls and the modernization of the entire premises. The broadcaster RTL then decides to relocate to the historic Rhineside Halls in 2008. As a result, the Master Plan 2010 is brought forward to 2006 and implemented in record time. Before Koelnmesse vacates the Rhineside Halls, it takes just 16 months to construct four new ultramodern trade fair halls, including a new Congress Center and entrance area. The new halls are extremely flexible and can be used for a variety of events. They are particularly well suited for exhibitions of industrial goods. The entire exhibition grounds are also restructured. With 284,000 m� of gross exhibition space, Koelnmesse remains the world's fourth-largest trade fair venue. Its 11 halls now form a compact and unified whole, with the new Trade Fair Boulevard serving as the central axis that connects the buildings and houses a variety of services. In addition, the overall trade fair experience for participants is enhanced, the catering facilities are upgraded and new restaurants are built.
 
The "new Koelnmesse" is officially opened on January 16, 2006, the first day of imm cologne - The International Furniture Fair. The construction work on the exhibition grounds will be concluded in the summer of 2006 after the new Entrance South, which directly connects the halls with the ICE railroad station K�ln Messe/Deutz, is finished.