Overview
- Saxony infrastructure state secretary Sören Trillenberg handed over a €59.5 million funding certificate to culture chief Skadi Jennicke and museum director Ronny Maik Leder at the Oktagon site.
- The grant comes from the federal Investitionsgesetz Kohleregion and follows earlier 2024 support that financed gutting and preparatory work.
- Renovation has been underway for roughly 12–18 months, with interior dismantling ongoing and the remaining bowling lanes slated for removal by summer.
- Plans call for more than 3,500 square meters of exhibition space by converting the underground Westhalle and Osthalle, with the Oktagon serving as the reception hall and all four floors used down to 15 meters.
- The project budget is estimated around €100 million with a large share from the Free State, and completion is targeted for 2029–2030 without a fixed opening date.