As the Wandelhalle officially became “The Grand Hall” last year, the 2024 holiday season marked the first major public unveiling of the venue in its new role as a sister destination to New York’s iconic Grand Central Terminal. Inspired by this connection, the owners chose a New York–inspired Christmas theme that brought metropolitan glamour and festive elegance into the historic space.
Together with partner Pep Up, MK Illumination transformed the Grand Hall into an immersive winter wonderland. At the center of the installation stands an impressive 11-meter-high Giant Tree featuring around 18,000 individual light points. Designed to complement the architecture of the hall while creating a striking focal point, the tree became the visual centerpiece of the entire experience.
But the installation goes far beyond a traditional Christmas display. Every 20 minutes, synchronized light and sound shows animate the space, while atmospheric lighting scenes create a continuous festive ambiance throughout the day. Warm and cool white lighting elements connect the two levels of the hall, while subtle RGB accents enhance the historic architecture with a contemporary touch.
The project demonstrates how lighting can transform highly frequented public spaces into emotional destinations. Rather than simply passing through, visitors are invited to pause, experience, and immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the Grand Hall. Felix Scheuerpflug, Principal Managing Partner of the Grand Hall, was equally enthusiastic about the final result:
“We were absolutely delighted with how MK Illumination brought our vision to life. Their creativity and outstanding level of customer service truly exceeded our expectations.”
(dp)
