In Montpellier, a new residence of 117 housing units in the heart of Pompignane

La résidence sera située au coeur de la Pompignane. DR – Océanis Promotion

"Urban Essence", construit par Océanis, verra le jour sur près de 8 000 m2, à l’automne. La résidence se distinguera par les nombreux services mis à disposition des propriétaires et locataires.

After ten years of work, Océanis Promotion is reaching its goal! Despite delays due to administrative pitfalls and Covid, the Montpellier company has started the construction of its new residence which will be completed at the end of 2024 in the heart of Pompignane. "Urban Essence is a showcase, we are delighted to bring an innovative model to our city", underlines Dominique Labadie, marketing and product director.

In this Zac (Concerted Development Zone), the developer worked with Serm (developer), the City and the neighborhood committee. To create a link, it is also based on the experience acquired in Baillargues. "Three years ago, one of our residents placed a QR Code in the entrance hall allowing them to communicate, exchange services or materials with others residents."

"We then approached a Lyon service provider, Ouba, who will set up digital platforms , a concierge and connected mailboxes, shared libraries at Urban Essence".

But the main novelty is the furnished guest room. "It will be bookable online and will allow residents to welcome their family or friends for one or two nights, and at a low price. The Ouba company will come to the first general meeting to explain how it works."

With 117 housing units, "Urban Essence" will have "20 % of owner occupants and for the rest of the rental investment, continues Dominique Labadie. We are here in a priority area of ​​the city, which allows you to benefit from VAT at 5.5%. This will make it possible to bring populations who are far away from it back to property. But we also have some clients who will rent their property for six or nine years before moving there when they retire. There is a huge demand for rentals in Montpellier."

In place of the old shopping center

The Urban Essence residence is rising from the ground in place of the old Pompignane shopping center, which was built in 1977. The latter had never recovered from a fire in November 2007, which destroyed the grocery store and damaged many shops. Over the years, around fifteen shops had closed or moved. The site had gradually been deserted by its customers. In 2016, all that remained was a pharmacy, a medical center, a small snack bar and a bakery (the last one to survive). The slow agony ended in 2022 with the asbestos removal and destruction of the center, immediately followed by construction work on the residence. Shops will not be forgotten in the new project, since 433 m2 will be reserved for them, as well as 436 m2 of offices.

The nearby post office, which remained open for several decades, closed in 2018 before being squatted from 2020 to 2022. It was destroyed last year. This is another residence that should see the light of day on the site in the coming years.

"A deep balcony for each accommodation"

"One of the particularities of this residence is that it has an architecture that is not at all linear, with different materials, specifies Blandine Franc, program director. Almost every apartment is unique, which took a lot of work. We were supported in this process by Gau, a local architect."

"The project has evolved a lot in ten years, continues Dominique Labadie. The apartments have a generous surface area, greater than 45m2 for a T2. We have learned the lessons of Covid, and a teleworking corner can be installed. Each accommodation also has a deep balcony, which is like an extra room.

Other particularity: "green roofs, with shared gardens accessible to all residents. This corresponded to the wishes of the City and the architects of the residence and the Zac. It is the trustee who will manage these common areas."

Today, "there are no more studios for sale and there are a few T2s left. The rest is from T3. This can be aimed at seniors, and a more family-oriented clientele up to T5. Some apartments may be suitable for liberal professions, particularly in the health field. There are also some duplexes. We are reaching a stage of marketing where we can show model apartments." It takes "5  300 to 5 400 € per m2" to move to "Urban Essence".

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