“A sexy project that makes you want to come and work here”: what we know about the new economic hub of Alès, expected at Prés Saint-Jean

The delivery of the first building is expected “end of 2025, beginning of 2026”. MIDI LIBRE – SAEM'ALES

The delivery of the first building is expected “end of 2025, beginning of 2026”. MIDI LIBRE – SAEM'ALES

La livraison du premier édifice est espérée “fin 2025, début 2026”. MIDI LIBRE – SAEM'ALES

A + Architecture, basé à Montpellier, est le cabinet retenu, en milieu de semaine, pour la création du nouveau pôle économique d’Alès. Son projet est présenté ce vendredi 27 septembre…

We knew it. With a view to creating a new economic hub in Alès, in the Prés Saint-Jean district, near the France Travail agency (formerly Pôle emploi), Saem Alès had to designate the architectural firm that would give substance to this project, during a tender commission scheduled for the morning of Wednesday, September 25. Which was indeed done. And, finally, the winner of this project management competition is Montpellier-based A + Architecture.

The A+ Architecture project was unveiled this Friday, September 27, at Prés Saint-Jean. MIDI LIBRE – CHARLES LEDUC

“What for ? To work there, not to sleep !”, says Max Roustan, the mayor. Because, for the record, on a plot of 9,300 m2 in the middle of a sector classified as a Priority Neighborhood of the City Policy (QPPV), spaces for professionals and a training “hub” are expected as part of the overall urban renewal project in Alès.

“Between 200 and 300 employees” are expected

There, 5,400 m2 of floor space will be devoted to “around sixty offices, around twenty workshops in ground floor of a building and a training center of a thousand square meters”, explains Christophe Perez, the director of Saem’Alès (a mixed economy public limited company). "Between 200 and 300 employees will come to work in the district." Christophe Rivenq, the president of the Agglomeration, is pleased that in view of the approximately 4 million euros in subsidies from the Anru (National Agency for Urban Renewal) received, out of the 11 million euros (excluding tax) of investment, "rental costs will be very affordable". And if the chief magistrate concedes that this project has all the makings of a gamble, the boss of Alès Agglo declares that there will be jobs and we are very optimistic. The economy will bring new peace and new life to this neighborhood.A strong project with a proud appearance

In any case, it is clear that this new economic hub, as it is presented, has a proud appearance. “What attracts us, what motivates us, is popular architecture. A bit like a good Beatles song, which brings people together, which everyone likes", says Clément Rabourdin, from the A + Architecture firm. "We wanted to propose a sexy project that would make people want to come and work here." He then highlights the’diamond" aspect of some of the future buildings. "It had to please users", he insists. "That it be easy, practical. We have worked on accessibility.” This, both from the outside (the site will not be closed, but open to the city) and from inside the offices and workshops, so that "it adapts". Clément Rabourdin also praises the environmental qualities of a “flexible, robust tool, with a brilliant image”, which he describes as “virtuous, so that future generations will appreciate it”.

First, the building near the Gardon

The architectural firm selected, “our objective now is to work very quickly on the building permit”, declares Christophe Perez, the director of Saem’Alès. Clearly, this business real estate project will be carried out in stages. The first phase, precisely, will involve “on the part closest to the Gardon to be seen” and, thus, “attract” companies. Indeed, this first building will house offices and workshops. Counting on “13 to 14 months of work”, after having got rid of the studies and other administrative procedures, the local authority hopes that this first project will be completed “end of 2025, beginning of 2026”, the companies will then be able to take possession of the premises upon delivery. The other phases will follow, punctuated, certainly, by the demands of the occupation of the site by the entrepreneurs. But, concerning the end of the construction of the whole of this economic pole, Max Roustan and Christophe Rivenq cherish a hope: “2028, that would be perfect”

Certainly, this is about’"integrating the economy" in a priority district of the city. But not only that, recalls Christophe Rivenq, who insists on the fact that the "60 M&euro which will be invested" in Prés Saint-Jean are for housing, via the Logis Cévenols, public space, the project house… This, in a global urban renewal plan for Alès mobilizing around 180 million euros. For the time being, the mayor is focusing on what is expected on the land bordering France Travail. "For what we should do with this space, the brilliant idea came. In all humility", smiles Max Roustan. "You are in the only economic zone, in the political district of the city, which will be built in France, within the framework of the’Anru."

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