What is now the City Park and lake in Norderstedt was the location of a sand mine used for the production of calcium silicate until 1988. The run-down land was only purchased from the city of Norderstedt by the Landesgartenschau in 2011 and turned into a cultural center. The ambitious construction project on the mine ruins began in 2009, creating an impressive ensemble of buildings on the site while still preserving the industrial feel of the former calcium silicate mine. The opening of the new cultural center took place in early 2012.