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  #101  
Old Posted Mar 13, 2007, 5:35 PM
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It is confirmed that the "tour Signal" is distinct from the "tour Phare". You may remember that in the beginning it was announced that a so-called "tour Signal" would be built to symbolize the regeneration of La Défense. Then last November it was Thom Mayne's 300m tower that was selected, and the project was renamed "tour Phare". Then two months ago, during his New Year's "good wishes" press conference, the director of La Défense Authority (EPAD) hinted that the "tour Signal" was a project still alive and distinct from the "tour Phare". I wrote about that in a message some weeks ago here, but some forumers doubted my information. Now it is confirmed by EPAD itself! One French forumer asked on the official La Défense forum whether the "tour Signal" was distinct from the "tour Phare", and the admin from EPAD said YES. You can see it here if you can read French: http://www.ladefense.fr/forum/viewtopic.php?t=792

The fact that EPAD answered is quite remarkable. Usually they are pretty secret about what's going on in La Défense, so I was very surprised to discover this on the French forum. Especially since we are in the middle of a bitter presidential election in France, it's surprising that they answered the French forumer. They must feel quite confident about the "tour Signal" project.

According to the admin, this "tour Signal" would house the Ministry of Public Works. It had long been rumored that the ministry was planning to leave the Grande Arche where its offices are currently located, and build its own tower. Now it's confirmed, and this new tower they'd build for their offices would be the "tour Signal". Also, initially it was rumored the ministry was planning to build 80,000 m² (860,000 sq. ft) of office space, but now it was reported in the French press that they're planning to build 100,000m² (1,075,000 sq. ft). So this born-again "tour Signal" would contain 100,000 m² of office space if the ministry is the only occupier. That means the "tour Signal" would be at least 200m (600 ft) high, perhaps more. For comparisons, the 310m (1,1018 ft) US Bank Tower in LA contains 120,000 m² (1.3 million sq. ft) of office space, so the ministry is not envisioning something small.

The admin said that an architect contest would be launched to select the design of the "tour Signal". It is quite probable that we will have no renderings until the winning project is selected, same as what happened with the "tour Phare". If you re-read what I wrote here a few weeks ago, I reported this rumor that Ferrier's 335m tower could be chosen as the design for the "tour Signal" because Ferrier was furious at the way Thom Mayne's project had been chosen for the "tour Phare" (Thom Mayne didn't respect the budget assigned to contestants). Now the EPAD admin said there would be an architect contest for the "tour Signal", so what of Ferrier's tower? Perhaps Ferrier will be allowed to take part in this new contest, with a more serious chance to win this time. I don't know. Personally, I would love if Ferrier's tower is built. It's by far the most beautiful tower that I've seen proposed in La Défense.

In any case, let's remember that this "tour Signal" for the Ministry of Public Works will be a State project (unlike Generali Tower or "tour Phare" which are private projects), so it is most sensitive to political changes. Should the Socialists win back power next May-June, there's a great likelihood it would be cancelled if their recent anti-La Défense stances are to be taken at face value.

Anyway, I can't resist putting again some pictures of Ferrier's 335m (1,100 ft) tower, for those who haven't seen it already.





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  #102  
Old Posted Mar 17, 2007, 9:14 PM
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  #103  
Old Posted Mar 22, 2007, 7:31 PM
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Damn it is alive @ LD:

Now Arore is going under a tremendous change too.
Future by this scale modell:

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  #104  
Old Posted Mar 23, 2007, 7:58 AM
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Rendering of the renovated AXA tower:

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  #105  
Old Posted Mar 24, 2007, 5:46 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Grumpy View Post
Damn it is alive @ LD:

Now Arore is going under a tremendous change too.
Future by this scale modell:
I'm surprised that the tower that will replace Aurore is so small. I figured the extension would be more substantial to cover the cost of the demolition/reconstruction.
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  #106  
Old Posted Mar 24, 2007, 7:48 PM
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About 200 220m is not small if you compare at the 110 meter Aurore tower.
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  #107  
Old Posted Mar 24, 2007, 7:53 PM
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WHOA

can't wait to see this in person....
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  #108  
Old Posted Mar 24, 2007, 9:21 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Minato Ku View Post
About 200 220m is not small if you compare at the 110 meter Aurore tower.
The height figure remains to be confirmed.
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  #109  
Old Posted Mar 27, 2007, 3:05 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fabb View Post
The height figure remains to be confirmed.
Even if it remains to be confirmed, it's still rather obvious that it's around 200m tall.

btw the mars issue "Confidentielle Défense", the official magazine of LD, confirms the height of 318m from the ground for Generali.
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  #110  
Old Posted Mar 27, 2007, 8:57 PM
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Only 42 floors. No more than the towers of the second generation. La Défense is still plagued by the "human scale".

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  #111  
Old Posted Mar 28, 2007, 6:28 PM
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Frankly Fabb, it's very hard to please you... if you don't judge one of the new projects ugly, then you consider it's not enough tall (with 230m).

I would just like to recall you that it is a mini-revolution which is forcasted for La Défense. Granted it's far to be done yet, and all those projects are only on paper, but if you're not happy with all the announcements we have currently, then I wonder when you will be happy.

I hope you still realize how lucky Parisians are to live in a city where there are so many skyscrapers projects.

Last edited by Metropolitan; Mar 28, 2007 at 7:17 PM.
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  #112  
Old Posted Mar 28, 2007, 7:31 PM
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Quote:
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Is this a real photo? Or the back was enlarged?
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  #113  
Old Posted Mar 28, 2007, 8:57 PM
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That's a real photo Brad. The author is JP, a French forumer.
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  #114  
Old Posted Mar 30, 2007, 10:20 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Metropolitan View Post
Frankly Fabb, it's very hard to please you... if you don't judge one of the new projects ugly, then you consider it's not enough tall (with 230m).
That's unfair.
I never said the new AXA was ugly or too short.
I never said that of Generali either.
The only one I dislike is... well, you know.

230 m ? Really ? Without cheating ?

If that's official, it's not too bad.

But, for your information, yes, I always expect something of high quality in La Défense (of the same quality and magnitude as the Tour Sans Fins).

None of the current projects does the job. By far.
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  #115  
Old Posted Apr 1, 2007, 2:08 PM
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Hi,new tower for LaDefense
Quote:
This one is called "Tour D2". Height is unknown, but we can count about 34 floors from the slab.
Architects are Tom Sheeham and A. Béchu, surface is 55.000sqm.
(thanks bnmaddict ) .
Renderings:


Quote:
Tour AIR²
height 200-220m
Surface: 75.000 m²
Architectes: Arquitectonica & Arte Charpentier
Promoteurs: Bouygues Immobilier / Meunier

Last edited by Sinha; Apr 1, 2007 at 7:31 PM.
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  #116  
Old Posted Apr 1, 2007, 2:21 PM
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A few renders unveiled by PSS forumer Krapulax


and for the end:New Axa

Last edited by Sinha; Apr 1, 2007 at 7:27 PM.
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  #117  
Old Posted Apr 2, 2007, 2:25 PM
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I like le Tour AIR , where is D2 suppose to be built ?

Saw this @ PSS to:

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  #118  
Old Posted Apr 2, 2007, 2:33 PM
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T1

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  #119  
Old Posted Apr 2, 2007, 8:29 PM
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It looks like Le Méridien has a new design. Unless it's the other side that's very different.
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  #120  
Old Posted Apr 3, 2007, 7:20 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Metropolitan View Post
Frankly Fabb, it's very hard to please you... if you don't judge one of the new projects ugly, then you consider it's not enough tall (with 230m).
230 m ?
That's frankly dishonest. Or pathetic wishful thinking.

An educated guess by a French forumer puts the height at 196 m.
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