Blower Hall, Esch-sur-Alzette, LUXEMBOURG
The Blower Hall in Esch-sur-Alzette stands as a powerful monument to Luxembourg’s industrial past, recalling the era when steel production shaped both the region and the national economy. Located at the heart of the Belval former industrial and now university site, and within the Minett UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the hall embodies a rare concentration of industrial, cultural, and environmental values that are increasingly at risk if timely action is not taken. At a critical moment of ownership transition, its preservation and adaptive reuse represent a unique opportunity to safeguard a shared European industrial legacy while transforming the site into a dynamic public hub linking heritage, education, culture and community life for future generations.
Built in 1910, the Blower Hall is a monumental structure measuring 160 metres in length, over 72 metres in width and 28 metres in height, formed by two interconnected halls. Once central to iron ore processing and the operation of adjacent blast furnaces, it preserves unique technical and spatial characteristics essential to understanding historic steel production systems. Although less ornamented than some 19th-century industrial halls, its scale, integrity and role make it a cornerstone of Luxembourg’s industrial heritage. The building has been under national protection since 2000.
Despite this status, the Blower Hall faces serious threats. Closed in 2019 due to structural instability and contamination risks, it has suffered from prolonged neglect, water infiltration, corrosion and façade decay. Since July 2023, the site has been in a transitional phase following its transfer from the Ministry of Culture to the Ministry of Public Works. A comprehensive feasibility study led by the University of Luxembourg prior to the transfer identified four adaptive reuse scenarios balancing heritage preservation with sustainable innovation.
Civil society has been instrumental in keeping the Blower Hall in the spotlight, with local organisations driving sustained advocacy through studies, petitions and public events, supported by the University of Luxembourg and the City of Esch, which has committed to blocking any demolition permits until a viable plan is in place. Inclusion on the 7 Most Endangered list could amplify these efforts by fostering dialogue among stakeholders, providing international expertise on adaptive reuse and participatory planning, and raising the hall’s global profile. Centre national de la culture industrielle (CNCI) nominated the Blower Hall for the 7 Most Endangered Programme with the aim of securing its preservation while promoting its sustainable development as a vibrant civic, cultural and educational hub for generations to come.
The Advisory Panel of the 7 Most Endangered Programme stated: “The Blower Hall is an exceptional industrial heritage monument in what was a major steel production site in Luxembourg throughout most of the 20th century. It is not only an historical landmark, but also a potential model for adaptive reuse in Europe. Its envisioned transformation into a multipurpose space for culture, university education, science and community engagement could epitomise sustainable urban regeneration. As part of the government’s “Cité des Sciences” flagship project, the rehabilitation of the Blower Hall could bridge the past and the future, fostering innovation while preserving heritage.”
After decades of efforts to advance its rehabilitation and roughly 30 years of vacancy, perspectives on the preservation of the Blower Hall have gradually evolved. In December 2025, the official parliamentary introduction of the project by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Works marked an important first step towards safeguarding the site, with essential stabilisation and roof restoration works forming part of the ongoing rehabilitation of the Blower Hall within the broader Belval site redevelopment.
