The international tender for the new high-rise building Tour Signal in the La Defense business district of Paris has been awarded to architectural firm Ateliers Jean Nouvel, EPAD, the body overseeing the development of La Defense, said at a press conference in Paris on Tuesday.
The international tender for the new high-rise building Tour Signal in the La Defense business district of Paris has been awarded to architectural firm Ateliers Jean Nouvel, EPAD, the body overseeing the development of La Defense, said at a press conference in Paris on Tuesday.
The winning project, which was presented by Spanish investor Medea and developer Layetana Desarollos, will reach a height of 301 metres and comprise 140,000 m2 of space, of which 50,000 m2 will be destined for offices, 33,000 m2 for residential, and 20,000 m2 for retail. The building will include a 39,000 m2 hotel.
Born in France in 1945, Jean Nouvel is a leading French architect. His architectural firm has designed famous projects such as the Reina Sofia museum in Madrid and the Quai Branly museum in Paris. In 2001, the architect developed the Agbar tower in Barcelona with Layetana. Medea is a French unit of the Spanish Cresa group, the holding company of the Sanahuja family which owns a controlling stake in Spain's largest property firm Metrovacesa.
EPAD had shortlisted five finalist projects for the construction of the Signal tower. They were:
- Jacques Ferrier Architectures with Hermitage
- Foster + Partners Ltd with Compagnie La Lucette
- Studio Libeskind Architect with ORCO PROPERTY GROUPE
- Ateliers Jean Nouvel with MEDEA Layetana Desarollos Immobiliarios
- Wilmotte et Associés SA with Groupe Financière Centuria / Bouygues Immobilier
The project, part of a major regeneration project for La Defense district launched last year, will be a symbol of the renewed ambition of the almost 50-year-old business centre of Paris.
