Chapelle International, which is located at Porte de la Chapelle on a 7-hectare former railway site, is an operation setting the highest standards in terms of user well-being, urban integration and sustainable development. Linkcity Ile-de-France, originally won a consultation process in 2015 run by the project developer, the French Railways’ real estate division (SNEF), and so was involved at a very early stage in the redevelopment of this part of Paris, which will also house the University of Paris Pantheon-Sorbonne (Paris I)’s new Condorcet campus, as well as Arena 2, the capital’s new multi-sports venue.

Bernard Mounier, CEO of Bouygues Bâtiment Ile-de-France, said: “As an active participant in the Greater Paris metropolis project, we are firmly committed alongside all the towns involved to imagining the neighbourhoods of tomorrow. This ambitious urban project enables us to contribute to the regeneration of the Chapelle International sector through innovation and sustainable development.”

Following a competition organised by SNEF, Linkcity Ile-de-France commissioned three firms of architects – Arte Charpentier Architectes, Metra et Associés and Ignacio Prego Architectures – to design the 45,000 m² multi-purpose development, which includes two office buildings, itWORKS! and itsWELL!, of 20,000 m² and 14,000 m² respectively, adapted to new collaborative and nomadic working methods, also incorporating a gymnasium and retail premises. The third building will contain 314 housing units on 17 floors, consisting of 73 family apartments for ICF Habitat La Sablière for social housing rentals and a 241-room residence for the City of Paris Property Authority intended for students and young researchers.

Martial Desruelles, CEO of Linkcity Ile-de-France, explained: “This is a genuine team success that has come about through continuing discussions with representatives of the SNEF and the City of Paris. The strength of our conviction over taking action to transform this neighbourhood has enabled us to convince our investors and partners that we have made the right commitments over this project.”

This operation is in line with the Group’s strong policies in favour of sustainable construction, including in particular an energy performance contract covering the two office buildings. The project is fully compliant with the City of Paris Climate Plan, and is aiming to obtain the following certifications and labels: NF Commercial Buildings, HQE® standard, level Excellent; BREEAM, level Very Good; WELL Building Standard, level Silver; Effinergie+; BiodiverCity; and Habitat & Environnement (H&E), profile A option performance.

Works started recently, and they are scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2020. Approximately 350 people will be working on-site at peak periods.

This new project further demonstrates the expertise of Bouygues Construction in developing and constructing large-scale urban projects that prefigure the smarter and more sustainable city of tomorrow. The jury of the “Inventing the Greater Paris Metropolis” competition designated Linkcity Ile-de-France the winner for the redevelopment of seven sites as part of a major call for projects.