The
historic Halle Freyssinet building in the heart of Paris will soon be
transformed into a huge business incubator for 1000 Start-Ups. Designed by Wilmotte & Associés SA,
the project will be the largest incubator in the world and it incorporate
utilize shipping containers, flexible design solutions, and daylighting while
retaining the original charm of the station. The renovated rail station have
capacity for 1,000 start-ups along with facilities to foster and support the
companies' growth.
The Halle
Freyssinet freight station was originally built in 1920, but in recent years it
has been used as a reception and event center. This past summer Xavier Niel,
founder of Le Monde, bought the hall for €70 million to turn it into a business
incubator. Wilmotte & Associés SA is renovating the station into a 30,000
square meter flexible working space for 1,000 startups. While there are many
start-up incubators around the world, this is likely to be the largest. 1000
Start-Ups will provide space for co-working areas, a fablab, a large
auditorium, meeting rooms, large work spaces, and a bar-restaurant that will be
open 24 hours a day.
The project
is intended to promote and support emerging new talent and businesses in France
so that the nation stays competitive in the global market. Flexible spaces
mixed with innovative building technologies and digital capabilities will
provide a creative and vibrant space for companies to grow and collaborate. The
existing structure will be maintained to preserve the building’s industrial
heritage. Daylight will stream down through rooftop skylights and shipping
containers and modules will be installed inside the large space to create
offices and meeting rooms. Work is expected to begin in June of 2014 and it
will be completed within two years. The project was developed by the
Municipality of Paris with financing from Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations
and Xavier Niel.
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