Author : Shuchita Bist
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Patrick Devedjian, Deputy PM, France at Cityscape Dubai 2009 |
Patrick Devedjian, Deputy PM, France, has provided some Gallic flair to the last day of Cityscape Dubai 2009, delivering a half-hour presentation on Paris La Defense, which aims to become the new commercial capital of Europe. The centrally located real estate project, comprising a mixture of renovations and new builds, plans to develop 3.2 million sq m of office space within 15 striking towers ranging between 35 and 301 m high. The €33 billion all-encompassing development targets banking, financial, energy and insurance companies as well as hotels, universities, schools and research centers, housing up to 20,000 residents upon completion.
Minister Devedjian said, "The crisis has given us the opportunity to create a new financial city which will serve as the new commercial capital of Europe - this is our ambition. For the first time in France, towers will integrate a mix of functions."
€23 million of funding had been secured in 10 months and he was confident the financial crisis would not affect the project, which was launched in 2006. Leading architects such as Tom Mayne, Norman Foster and Jean Nouvel are on board and the towers are being designed to LEED, BREEAM and HQE standards. The 301-m Tour Signal, Tour Phare and Tour Generali (both 300 m) are among the most striking towers, and the 343-room Hotel Radisson will also make an eye-catching landmark. The new-look district will enjoy excellent transport links, with the Champs Elysees 5 minutes away by Metro or express train, and convenient access to international rail networks, Roissy-Charles de Gaulle and Orly Airports.
Source : Press Release
