Leipzig: Entrance Building Underground Exhibition Hall

1924 – 1925

Architects: Otto Droge (entrance), Carl Crämer (exhibition hall)

Markt 1, Leipzig

The under­ground exhibition hall at the market in downtown Leipzig by architect Carl Crämer was the first under­ground exhibition building in the world.

In 1919, the number of exhibitors at the Leipzig Trade Fair increased to such an extent that it was decided to move under­ground in order to continue to benefit from the central location on the market.

On May 28, 1924, excavation work began for the under­ground exhibition hall. When it was completed for the Leipzig Spring Fair in 1925, it provided space for 175 exhibitors on an area of 1,800 square meters.

The nine-bay, single-story reinforced concrete hall was accessed by four aisles running lengthwise from the entrance building.

Exhibition booths of varying sizes were located on either side of the aisles. Walls and columns inside the hall were plastered, the ceilings sparsely painted.

The height of the hall decreased towards the eastern side, due to the slope of the marketplace.

The entrance, designed by architect Otto Droge, was made of Rochlitz porphyry tuff.

The entry, designed as a two-flight staircase without a roof, moder­ately recedes behind the historic buildings on the market square.

From 1986 to 1988, the under­ground exhibition hall was renovated. In 2003, the hall was demolished in the course of the construction of the Leipzig City Tunnel.

Today, the entrance to the Markt S‑Bahn station in Leipzig’s city center is located here.