As their name suggests, the Rotundas are two circular buildings with a diameter of 52 m each, built in 1875 to serve as a shed and workshop for steam locomotives. After the end of steam engines in the aftermath of the 2nd World War, the Rotondes were used as storage space (Rotonde 1) and as a repair shop for CFL buses (Rotonde 2). In 1985 the two buildings were put on the inventory of sites to be preserved as National Sites and Monuments. Between 1994 and 2000, the Rotundas were the subject of various proposals for use, in particular for a Center for Contemporary Art, a City of Sciences or even a Cycle Museum. In 2000 the site was finally transferred from the domains of CFLs to that of the State, under the responsibility of the Ministry of Culture. From 2001, Rotonde 1 underwent major rehabilitation works under the aegis of the Service des Sites et Monuments Nationaux, while Rotonde 2 continued to host CFL bus repair workshops in parallel.

In October 2006, the association “Luxembourg and the Greater Region, European Capital of Culture 2007” redevelops the site for the cultural year while the Ministry of Culture and the City of Luxembourg agree, subsequently, to establish a programme for young audiences, one of the cornerstones of the European Capital of Culture, over the long term. The rehabiliation of the site is since managed by a cultural structure called “CarréRotondes”. Its approximately 400 events for an audience of around 50,000 people per year helped refine the various components of the future Rotondes project.

In 2012, the first stage of the reconversion provides for the installation in Rotonde 1 of a performance hall (large hall), an exhibition hall (gallery) and a multifunctional hall which can host conferences, screenings, round tables, etc. (platform). Inside the Rotunda 2 a café / club with music programming has been set up. A temporary container city (studios 1, 2, 3, and 4) temporarily hosts activities planned later in the Rotonde 2.