Located in the 19th district of Paris, between Porte de la Chapelle and Porte de la Villette, BNP Paribas Real Estate is beginning the construction of a new and diverse neighbourhood entitled the ZAC Claude Bernard. For this occasion a website, www.paris-le19.com, has been created to inform the public about the initiatives, commitments, and other general information regarding the project. Dubbed “the Paris of tomorrow,” this project includes housing, offices, multi-purpose facilities, and commerce. Anchored in the tradition of the neighbourhood, it will bring a new urban diversity and quality in its architecture, having very high environmental standards. Work has already begun, and is expected to finish by the end of 2011.

The neighbourhood will also include a multipurpose school, nursery, and a non profit assisted living facility for the elderly. The future project will be located next to a myriad of transportation: a future tramway, the T3, and a Velib station (city bicycles).

With plenty of open space, a small forest, a nature reserve, footbridges, and the creation of banks alongside the canal, the project stresses many eco-commitments regarding energy, mobility, bio-diversity, water, waste, eco-construction, keeping a clean building site, and other green gestures. With these new additions, the neighbourhood will transform into a lively well developed part of Paris.

Architects: Vincent Brossy and Gregoire Zundel