LAYING Of The FIRST STONE Of HEKLA TOWER In PARIS LA DEFENSE

USPA NEWS - On Monday, June 17, 2019, Patrick Albrand, President of Hines France, and Serge Fautré, Chief Executive Officer of AG Real Estate, laid the Symbolic First Stone of HEKLA Tower in Paris La Défense. Mr. Patrick Devedjian, President of the Hauts-de-Seine French department and of Paris La Défense, Ms. Joëlle Ceccaldi-Raynaud, Mayor of Puteaux and Mr. Jean Nouvel, Architect for the Project, were in Attendance, along with Jean-Marc Coly, CEO of Amundi Immobilier, and Grégory Frapet, Chairman of the Management Board of Primonial REIM, the Two Companies having acquired HEKLA Tower, as well as Bateg, Subsidiary of VINCI Construction France.

On Monday, June 17, 2019, Patrick Albrand, President of Hines France, and Serge Fautré, Chief Executive Officer of AG Real Estate, laid the Symbolic First Stone of HEKLA Tower in Paris La Défense. Mr. Patrick Devedjian, President of the Hauts-de-Seine French department and of Paris La Défense, Ms. Joëlle Ceccaldi-Raynaud, Mayor of Puteaux and Mr. Jean Nouvel, Architect for the Project, were in Attendance, along with Jean-Marc Coly, CEO of Amundi Immobilier, and Grégory Frapet, Chairman of the Management Board of Primonial REIM, the Two Companies having acquired HEKLA Tower, as well as Bateg, Subsidiary of VINCI Construction France.

The First Stone Ceremony represents the Official Start of Construction for this Iconic Skyscraper. As of 2022, the Tower will accommodate more than 5,800 Employees in Working Spaces that will rank among the most Innovative, Welcoming and Environmentally Friendly in Paris La Défense. The event also highlights a Significant Step forward in the Alliance between the Architects of HEKLA Project Ateliers Jean Nouvel, and the Six “Creatives“ brought together around him.

This Event is also an Opportunity for Project Leaders to introduce the “Creatives,“ a Collective of Talented Young Men and Women, all Symbols of French Excellence, who have come together around Jean Nouvel. This Singular Collective is made up of :
- Edouard Detrez, Entrepreneur, Founder of Le Fauteuil Roulant Français,
- Grégory Dupont, Trainer with the French National Soccer Team,
- Ramy Fischler, Designer,
- Marion Flipo, Chef and Entrepreneur,
- Julia de Funès, Philosopher,
- Rand Hindi, Data Scientist and Entrepreneur.

Located 300 meters from “CÅ“ur Transport“ in Paris La Défense, HEKLA Tower is part of the Initiative to redevelop the New Rose de Cherbourg Neighborhood as a Social and Business Hub. Paris La Défense has planned a high-quality Redevelopment Project which involves transforming the Former Highway Interchange into a Landscaped Pedestrian Walkway that will provide access to HEKLA Tower while establishing New Links between La Défense and Puteaux. This Architectural Exploit illustrates the Commitment to meeting the most demanding Criteria in terms of Health, Comfort and Well-Being for Future Users and Stakeholders. A Next-Generation Tower, HEKLA aims to achieve the Highest Levels of French and International Environmental Certification: it is aiming for HQE, BREEAM, LEED, EFFINERGIE+ Four Certifications, in addition to WELL Label for 5,800 Future Users Well-Being and WiredScore Label for a Perfect Connectivity in HEKLA Tower.

During this Official Ceremony, Participants had the Chance to live the “HEKLA Experience,“ admiring the Breathtaking Views from the Top of the Future Tower thanks to a Virtual Immersive Elevator: a LED Video Wall positioned at 180°. They also enjoyed a Sneak Preview of 3D Visuals depicting the Project. This Exhibition will soon be installed in the HEKLA Marketing Suite, located on the Esplanade near the Construction Site, to offer Visitors a Stunningly Realistic Tour of the Building´s Indoor Spaces.

- About Paris La Défense :

* The Fourth Most Attractive Business District in the World according to the EY-ULI 2017 Barometer
* 180 000 Employees, 42 000 Inhabitants, 45 000 Students
* 500 Companies, 41% Foreign Companies, 75% Headquarters and 15 from the Fortune 500,
* A Territory covering 564 ha, with 31 ha of Pedestrian Areas, and 69 renowned Works of Art.

- The Main Achievements in the Long Term by Paris La Défense :

* The Creation of a Hanging Garden on a Ring Road, transforming it into a Pedestrian Space/Soft Modes open to Walking and Sport Activities.
* The Requalification of Part of the Circular Boulevard as an Urban Boulevard
* The Creation of Comfortable Intersections between Puteaux and La Défense,& Particularly the Redevelopment of a Central Square at the Crossroads of the Avenue du Général de Gaulle.
* The Creation of a Park from Underused and Neglected Green Spaces, in Synergy with the Hanging Garden.
* Stores.

Source : Laying of the First Stone of HEKLA Tower in Paris La Défense - June 17, 2019.

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