Euralille 2

EURALILLE :A local regeneration based upon a large scale infrastructuralopportunityNIGEL ATKINS

An exceptional location in western EuropeLille-Roubaix-Tourcoingmetropolitan area1,000,000inhabitants85 towns unitedin a globalmetropolis-200km to Paris-100km toBrussels-240km to London

The context of the area in late eightiesGLOBAL CONTEXTTHE ORIGIN OF THE PROJECT•A deep economical crisis duringthe 70s and the 80s•A decentralization process beginsin France1988 : French Prime Minister Pierre Mauroy,mayor of Lille, achieves that the Northern TGVpasses through Lille and stops near Lille CityCenter station•The EEC strengthens through theimplementation of commoninstitutions, rules andinfractructures•French High Speed train TGVnetworks keeps growing. BothEurostar and Northern Europe TGVprojects are launched

1988 :A local development authority, SAEM EuralilleFonctions of theSAEM•Acquisition of the land•Development of publicspaces•Sale of theconstructible lands•Financialmanagement of theproject

The definition of the project and of its developersTGV StationAnd Business centerShopping MallLille FlandresStationConvention center

Euralille ProjectI. The main sector development 1990 - 1995Lille EuropeTGV Station-20 000 000passengers ayear-Conexion toLondon (1h40)Brussels (40 mn)Paris (1h)EuralilleShopping Mall-65 000 sq.m.-15 000 000 visitors ayear-230 000 000 € salesa year-4 towers includinghousing and offices-The fifth tower underconstructionEuralilleBusinessArea- Portzamparc’sand vasconi’sTowers- 81 000 sq.m. ofofficesLille GrandPalais-1 000 000visitors a year-20 000 sq.m.exhibition area-3 conventiontheaters-A 7000 seatslive show theater

Euralille ProjectII. The property crisis and the outskirts developments 1995 - todayIn 1995, the economicl crisis strikes Euralille. The project is concluded by more conventionaldevelopmentsLe Romarin development-Links the project and Lille northernsuburbs-Offices : 60 000 sq.m.-Housing : 30 000 sq.m.-Real shops : 1 115 sq.m.St Maurice development-A link between the main area andeaster suburbs.-An environmental concern-Housing : 35 366 sq.m.-Offices : 20 428 sq.m.-Retail shops : 2 880 sq.m.Euralille 2-The second legal 13 hctresdevelopment area, created in 1998-Located between old ringroadtransformed in an urban avenue (west)and the new ringroad (east)-Construction of Region Nord pas deCalais’s Headquarters-Housing : 47 000 sq.m.-Offices : 90 000 sq.m.-Hotels and retail shops : 30 000 sq.m.Chaude Rivière development-Brings to completion the main sectordevelopment, between the train stationand the Convention center.-Includes a hotel and casino complex-Housing : 9 828 sq.m.-Offices : 41 958 sq.m.-Hotel : 7 300 sq.m.-Retail shops : 12 972 sq.m.

Commercialization of the developmentsLille Residentialcost:2846 €/sq.m.(+ 2.6% in 2008)Euralille rates :3200 €/m2

Consequences for Lille and its region-The TGV high speed line links Lille to North-western Europemajor cities-Euralille Business center offers first-class offices-The development allowed a regeneration of the City centerrate.since 2000, housing prices have been growing with a 12% anual-Local economy evolution towards service sector is amplifiedjobsBank and insurance companies represent 50% of local jobsCommunication and other service companies represent 35% of local-The city’s employments rates have improved20 000 jobs created since 1990-This rebirth allowed Lille to become European cultural capitalin 2004

Conclusion : Euralille, Lille’s rebirth•A succesful development (in terms ofcommercialization rates and economicalimpact)•An economical and urban rebirth forLille•A recognized architectural qualitybut•The crisis of the late 90’s loweredthe ambitions of the project anddetracted its harmony.