The Link

The Link from Puteaux (c) PCA Stream
  • Offices
  • On going

In short

Investor/builder: Groupama (SCI The Link La Défense)/ADIM Ile-de-France
Architect: PCA STREAM - Philippe Chiambaretta Architecte
Height/storey: 54 levels, 242 metres (Arche wing) and 178 metres (Seine wing)
Surface area: 130,000 sq.m, offices (demolition, reconstruction)
Delivery date: 2025
Location: Esplanade Sud, Michelet district (Puteaux)

The Groupama Group and Total have signed a Lease in Future State of Completion for the construction of The Link project, which will house Total's future headquarters in Paris La Défense. The Link, which refers to the "links" that will connect the two wings of the tower, is a project designed by the architectural firm PCA-STREAM on behalf of Groupama, the site owner, and is being built by Vinci Construction France.

A new iconic tower for Paris La Défense

Located in the Michelet district, The Link comprises two towers linked by 30 levels of green walkways. The 'Arche' wing will rise to 228 metres above the Parvis with 50 floors and the 'Seine' wing to 165 metres with 35 floors. The whole complex will rest on a common base of three levels between the urban boulevard and the forecourt. The walkways will allow the creation of 3,000 sq.m. and 6,000 sq.m. duplex floors, with all floors connected in pairs by large, open, easily accessible staircases. Employees will benefit from 130,000 sq.m. of office, restaurant, co-working and relaxation space. These spaces are designed to improve the quality of well-being at work and collective efficiency.

The tower will be built on the current site of the Michelet building, which will be demolished in 2021. This will be followed by the construction of The Link until 2025.

The Link invents a new tower model

Philippe Chiambaretta has rethought the fundamentals of the traditional tower to respond to a change in the work organisation model.

  • A new horizontality: PCA STREAM has devised an innovative tower morphology that takes advantage of the size of the plot: the tower is split into 2 wings, connected by 30 links. Over 8 metres wide and equipped with aerial gardens offering spectacular views, they are designed as meeting points.
  • New 6,000 sq.m. duplexes: by connecting the two buildings, these Links will create 3,000 sq.m. floors. All floors will function as duplexes via large open staircases creating 6,000 sq.m. units that will accommodate 500 people, four times as many as a conventional tower floor.
  • Each duplex will have its own organic life, within which movements will be made on foot, without taking the lift, with the idea of multiplying human interaction.
  • An "open-air" tower, with 2,800 sq.m. of outdoor spaces: 6 large terraces, 15 open-air hanging gardens, 6 naturally ventilated winter gardens, 2 rooftop gardens. No employee will be more than 30 seconds' walk from an outdoor space.
  • A belvedere over Paris: the rooftop garden 154 metres above ground level creates a new view of Paris and the historic axis linking La Défense to the Louvre, via the Arc de Triomphe and the Concorde

The Link will have the highest environmental certification (HQE Exceptional), guaranteeing the best standards in terms of energy efficiency, thermal and acoustic comfort. 100% of the workstations will be first daylight and 25% of the energy required to light the tower will be provided by its photovoltaic façade. The work will be carried out in compliance with the Circular Economy Charter for the Real Estate and Construction sector, signed by Groupama Immobilier and VINCI Construction France.

The Link will enable Total to reduce its energy consumption by 50% compared with its current towers, thanks in particular to its double-skinned façade, which creates thermal insulation and will be equipped with photovoltaic panels.

Public spaces and traffic flow redesigned

The arrival of The Link tower in 2025 will transform the landscape of the Michelet district, which is currently isolated. In the future, the district will be largely connected to the rest of the Puteaux area and will bring a real dynamic to Paris La Défense. The Cours Michelet will be thoroughly renovated and planted.

The delivery of the Carré Michelet office complex (Eurosic Gecina) in September 2019 marked the start of this transformation.

In close collaboration with the Hauts-de-Seine Department and the City of Puteaux, a study was carried out in favour of creating urban connections to link the slab to Puteaux city centre. The redevelopment of the circular boulevard, which currently forms a border between the business district and the centre of Puteaux, is also being studied with a view to transforming it into a calm urban boulevard that can be crossed on foot.

Key dates for the project

  • April 2019: Planning permission granted
  • March 2020: signing of the Lease in Future State of Completion between Groupama and Total and the Property Development Contract between Groupama and VINCI Construction France
  • 2020: demolition of existing buildings, design
  • 2021: construction of the foundations
  • 2022: construction of the base (7 floors, from the 2nd basement to the 2nd floor)
  • 2023 - 2025: construction of the structure at the rate of one floor per week, interior fittings 2nd half of 2025: finishing touches, inspection and acceptance of the site

Labels and accreditations

  • HQE SUSTAINABLE BUILDING 2016 OUTSTANDING
  • BIODIVERCITY BASIC
  • BBC EFFINERGIE +
  • WELL BUILDING STANDARD CORE & SHELL SILVER
  • BREEAM INTERNATIONAL 2016 NEW CONSTRUCTION EXCELLENT

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  • The Link
  • The Link
  • The Link

Did you know ?

The Link encourages the use of low-carbon transport: no car parking but 350 sq.m. of underground bicycle parking, direct access on foot or by bicycle from the boulevard, calming of the circular boulevard, etc.