When walls tell stories

For decades, coal mines like Westerholt were the reason entire families moved to this region. They provided jobs, fostered a sense of identity, and shaped towns. When the last shafts closed, more than just empty halls remained—the question remained: what should become of this legacy?

Other former coal mines in the Ruhr region show where this trend can lead. The Zollverein Coal Mine in Essen has become a World Heritage Site, and decommissioned mine towers have been transformed into museums and performance venues.

At the Zentralwerkstatt, we see something different: no monument behind glass, no museum-like stillness. Instead, work is being done again—only no longer with a blacksmith’s hammer and a vise, but with flowers, lights, and champagne glasses. That, to me, is exactly what makes these places so special: you can still sense the work that was once done here, even though something completely different is happening there today.

German event agencies and their guests were surveyed as part of a study on venues in former industrial sites (Geilenbrügge & Eisermann, 2014). The results:

• 90 percent of the event agencies surveyed have held an event at an industrial venue at least once
• 56.7 percent of agencies cite the same thing as their greatest strength—the very thing we at Zentralwerkstatt also prioritize: atmosphere, charm, and character
• 79 percent of the event guests surveyed have personally attended an event at an industrial venue
• 52.2 percent of agencies are convinced that venues like this will still be in demand 30 years from now

What this means for planning: A venue like this doesn’t sell itself based on its amenities. It sells itself based on the feeling it evokes at first glance—and that can’t be captured in a photo or a price list. The professional literature on venue management also emphasizes this very point: A venue must not only accommodate the number of guests; it must also fit the desired style and atmosphere of the event (Sommer, 2024). That's why every conversation with us starts not with the guest list, but with the question of what kind of atmosphere you want your celebration to have. Furniture and lighting come later.

A century-old factory hall comes with its own set of challenges. The infrastructure for events isn’t permanently installed here. We set it up individually for each event—in a building that was never intended for celebrations. On top of that, there are historic preservation requirements that must be taken into account for every decoration, every stage, and every cable run. And without a well-thought-out safety plan, no one is allowed to hold a celebration here.

Depending on the event’s requirements and our clients’ preferences, we handle:

• Catering, tailored to the venue and occasion
• Technical equipment and live music
• Setup and takedown
• Decorations and menu cards
• Photo booth
• On-site guest services

In mid-2023, we organized the first “ExtraSchicht” event at the Neue Zeche Westerholt—the Night of Industrial Culture in the Ruhr region, which attracts thousands of people every year. In October of that same year, we celebrated our company’s 25th anniversary there in the shelf warehouse and high-bay warehouse—at that time, we hadn’t even considered the Central Workshop as a separate offering.

A relationship like this with a place doesn’t happen overnight. It grows with every event we host there together.

This long-standing connection to the Neue Zeche Westerholt is why we’ve been managing the Zentralwerkstatt as a rental venue since this year:

• 1,464 square meters of total space
• approximately 650 square meters of event space
• room for up to 199 people, or more upon request

Things could have turned out very differently. A feasibility study by Neue Zeche Westerholt also analyzed the hall as a high-quality office space. In the end, it didn’t become an open-plan office, but rather a place for people to come together. I’m delighted by this decision every single time.

Right next to the hall lies something that makes this location so special precisely because of the contrast it creates: the little birch grove. A real birch grove on the former coal mine grounds, with benches nestled among the trees, a fold-out stage, and a small bar. One of the two roll-up doors of the central workshop leads directly into it.

For me, this closeness is more than just a nice bonus. The contrast—which in our industry is often described only in imagery—between heavy steel, once a symbol of hard work, and the quiet beauty of nature in bloom—is no metaphor here. You literally walk through a gate from one world into the other. For an outdoor wedding ceremony followed by a reception in the hall, this is a combination I’ve never seen anywhere else.

The Zentralwerkstatt isn’t limited to any one type of event. These event formats work equally well here:

• Wedding ceremonies with receptions, indoors, outdoors, or a combination of both
• Corporate events and company anniversaries
• Exhibitions and showrooms
• Live performances and concerts
• Readings and smaller cultural events
• Fashion shows

From a minimalist, industrial look to an elaborately staged setting: seating, color scheme, lighting, and decor—we tailor every detail to your event. It’s best if we discuss this in person, not over the phone.

What makes this place special isn’t just the architecture from 1908 or the little birch grove next door. It’s the history we share with it—as guests at our own celebrations, as co-organizers of ExtraSchicht, and now as the ones opening this place up for you. The next time I stand in this hall, it won’t be empty anymore. And I’ll still be listening closely to hear what story is told that evening.

When should we go together to check out the central workshop for your next event?

References:
Sommer, Kristina (2024): Locationmanagement für die Eventkonzeption. essentials. Wiesbaden: Springer Gabler. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-658-43928-6.
Mewes, Petra (2025): „Visionäre Ideen für inspirierende Projekte“. In: Tagungs-Wirtschaft, eMag 2, 05.07.2025.
Geilenbrügge, Lena / Eisermann, Uwe (2014): „Eventisierung von ehemaligen Industriestandorten – Eine Mode oder langfristige Entwicklung unter den Einflüssen der Kampagne Kulturhauptstadt RUHR.2010“. In: Eisermann, Uwe et al. (Hrsg.): Praxisorientiertes Eventmanagement. Events erfolgreich planen, umsetzen und bewerten. Wiesbaden: Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden.