These buildings are part of the former Westfalenhütte complex in Dortmund, once one of the largest steel production sites in Germany. The location belonged to Hoesch AG, which grew into a major steel producer after its foundation in 1871. This area housed the hot strip mill, where red-hot steel slabs were rolled into wide steel coils used by the automotive, engineering and construction industries.

The vast production halls were equipped with heavy overhead cranes, transport systems and advanced rolling equipment. Thousands of tons of steel passed through these facilities every day. For more than a century, the Westfalenhütte was one of the economic engines of Dortmund and provided employment for tens of thousands of workers.

As the European steel industry underwent major restructuring, production in Dortmund gradually declined. Several departments closed during the 2000s and early 2010s. Today, the remaining halls stand as impressive reminders of the scale of steel manufacturing that once took place here.