In a turn of events, the Administrative Court of Paris has sanctioned the Paris’ first skyscraper since Montparnasse in 1973. The Tour Triangle is a 41-storey triangular tower that was designed by Herzog & de Meuron. It will be built in the Porte de Versailles neighborhood in Paris’ 15th arrondissement.
The controversial project was first introduced back in 2008 by architects Herzog & de Meuron. It was received with strong criticism amidst claims from local residents that the designed building would overshadow them while the politicians alleged that the design wouldn’t be sustainable.
The Tour Triangle was again rejected closer to end of 2014. It was approved after some changes by the Council of Paris during 2015 by a narrow majority. It was then pushed back after three neighborhood associations including SOS Paris, France Nature Environment Ile-de-France and the association for the Harmonious Development of the Porte de Versailles, moved for the retraction of the approval.
Ever since the construction of the Montparnasse Tower, no skyscraper has been built in the city. Many have been concentrated in the suburban La Defense central business district. The Tour Triangle is backed by the property giant, Unibail-Rodamco. It will have a height of 180 meters and shall feature 120-room four-star hotel, co-working office space and cultural facilities.
Herzog & de Meuron is a Swiss firm famous for projects that include the Beijing Olympic stadium and New York’s Parrish Art Museum. According to the firm, The Tour Triangle will be able to restore the historical axis formed by the Rue de Vaugirard and Avenue Ernest Renan.
Herzog & de Meuron said, ‘It will be not only a landmark from which the urban panorama can be experienced but also an outstanding silhouette in the system of axes and monuments of the city.’ The construction of the Tour Triangle is slated for late 2019 and if all goes according to plane; it will be completed by 2024. A total of 5,000 workers will be employed during the construction, and another 5,000 will be occupying what will become the Paris’ third-tallest structure.
