The office building of Oberhausen’s Hauptbahnhof or main train station with the old station hall, an excellent example of plain functional architecture that was popular in the late 1920s, was reconstructed as a historic monument within the framework of the International Exhibition of Architecture and Construction Emscher Park (IBA). The hall was also restored to its original height, after an intermediate ceiling was installed during its reconstruction following WWII, which reduced its once-spacious and impressive character. At the same time, the shops and the facilities of the Deutsche Bahn AG were refurbished in accordance with modern demands. A bicycle station was set up to accommodate 362 bicycles and the foot tunnel was extensively renovated as well. The entire tunnel was adapted to the same structural standard as in the area of the connection to the Rheinisches Industriemuseum that was completed in 1996. The paving stones in the floor and wall area as well as at the staircases to the remaining platforms 3, 4, 5 and 7 were renewed completely and modern bright lighting fixtures were installed. On top of that, four lifts were installed at the platforms and another lift at the staircase between the office building and the tunnel. The competition “Oberhausen main station and surroundings” was the first competition of the International Exhibition of Architecture and Construction (IBA). In June 1993 the construction of a new bus terminal was concluded, the bicycle station and part of a new square were completed in 1994. The redesign of today’s Willy-Brandt-Platz (former Berliner Platz) was concluded with completion of the tram stop in 1996.
