Midi Libre Labels: the know-how and innovation of regional real estate in the spotlight

Les talents de l’architecture récompensés lors des 4e Labels de l’immobilier, mercredi soir au Domaine de Verchant à Castelnau-le-Lez. Midi Libre – Giacomo Italiano

In a sector in crisis, real estate professionals are increasing their creativity. This is what the 4th edition of the Labels de l’Immobilier de Midi Libre highlighted on Wednesday evening at the Domaine de Verchant (Castelnau-le-Lez). With the great witness of the founding architect of OXO Architectes, Manal Rachdi, one of the artisans of L’Arbre Blanc in Montpellier.

In the midst of turmoil, real estate professionals are innovating. And taking action. Rising interest rates and construction costs, piling up standards, expensive land, elimination of tax exemption schemes, reduction of the PTZ, feared freeze following the dissolution of the National Assembly and in the feverish wait for the results of the legislative elections… Times are (very) tough for developers, architects, notaries, real estate agencies… in Occitanie.

Enough to surpass yourself. “Tonight, we are rewarding all the know-how and innovation of real estate players. The idea is to highlight the richness of this ecosystem, but also to say that there are good and happy things happening in the region”, declares Jean-Benoît Baylet, general director of Midi Libre (Groupe La Dépêche du Midi), at the microphone of Olivier Biscaye, editorial director of Midi Libre.

In front of 150 people, in the setting of the Domaine de Verchant, the winners showed inventiveness and optimism, as evidenced by the host of distinctions (read opposite). Before being photographed with, as a trophy, their award-winning program nicely framed in real-fake “Une”de Midi Libre.

Cambacérès and urban reconquest

The new Cambacérès district (Sud de France TGV station) of Montpellier, soon to be served by the extension of the 1st tram line, was put in the spotlight, with Anima operations , bringing together the future MBS campus and the headquarters of Purple Campus and the CCI, or the Halle Nova, a 27,000 m2 mixed space, with a commercial and services base.

"It’it is in this district that Crédit Agricole du Languedoc will install its 700 employees in 2028, in its future headquarters", welcomes Christophe Pouzol, director of real estate at the cooperative bank. Among the transitions to be accelerated, urban reconquest. "The city of tomorrow will be made up of 80% existing buildings, projects Élodie Nourrigat, architect, president of the Champ Libre association, which organizes the Festival des Architectures Vives, and teacher at Ensam. The challenge today is to reinvest heritage, to see how to develop new new activities, by changing their function, and putting them in a contemporary dimension."

Other strong trends include the decarbonization of the act of building, illustrated in particular, in Languedoc, by the new Wood Buildings Industry factory (Vestia Promotion), which manufactures wooden frame modules in Alès. Or even, hybridization, with this next intergenerational residence (student on one side, seniors on the other side, with common spaces) in Béziers, supported by Pitch Immo and Woodeum.< /p>

Eight winners rewarded

Smart Building Label: Promeo

Promo Midi Libre – Giacomo Italiano

Promeo wins the Smart Building prize for its Ora residence in Sète (architects: Nicolas Laisné and Rotunno-Justman). Spread over a building area of ​​7,645 m², the residence offers 95 accommodations equipped with an Ôra tablet. This tablet hosts applications dedicated to domestic use (lights, blinds, energy consumption…) and to the use of common areas (access control of the co-ownership in particular). Also, the Ora residence offers shared terminals, bicycles and electric vehicles and a carpooling system.

Finally, via connected boxes, the concierge is connected to local businesses offering residents a range of services: greengrocers, caterers, dry cleaners, booksellers… Delivery imminent, this July 31, 2024. The prize is presented by Laurent Romanelli, president of the M & A.

Mobility Label: M & At Promotion

M & A Promotion Midi Libre – Giacomo Italiano

Villa Laurès, carried by M & A Promotion, receives the Mobilités prize. With a built-up area of ​​5,885 m², the operation is intended to be both residential, with 79 housing units, and tertiary (three offices). The architecture is provided by Christophe Millet of the BAMAA agency. The delivery date is set for the 4th quarter of 2026. Located in the new Town Hall district in Montpellier, Villa Laurès offers access to all modes of transport (trams, buses, cycle paths, train station… ) and proposes – on request – charging stations for electric cars.

In addition, the operation has a glass bike room, accessible from the road and equipped with surveillance cameras and charging sockets. The prize is awarded by Jacques Rossi, president of the FNAIM Hérault. « The place of the car is questioned in each development operation, notes the latter.

CSR Impact Label: Gesimco Promotion

Gesimco Promotion Midi Libre – Giacomo Italiano

The Impact RSE prize is awarded to Gesimco Promotion for its Les Hauts de Camplanier program (architect: Thibaut Amat – SOZO), which integrates harmoniously into the original vegetation of the site. Located in Nîmes and made up of 36 housing units, Les Hauts de Camplanier will take up 2,560 m² of built surface area.

The residence will be equipped with solar panels connected to batteries allowing the energy necessary for the co-ownership to be redistributed at night. A borehole will water the green spaces in order to reduce drinking water consumption. Energy savings will also be possible because each home will have direct access to its energy consumption. Delivery is scheduled for the first quarter of 2025. The prize is presented by Chantal Clerc, professional engineering manager for real estate at Banque Populaire du Sud.

Label Functional generational and social diversity: Woodeum and Pitch Immo

Woodeum and Pitch Imo Midi Libre – Giacomo Italiano

Supported by Pitch Immo in Béziers, the Canal du Midi program (architect: Jean-Baptiste Miralles) received the Functional, Generational and Social Mixture prize. Building surface area: 11,500 m². This large-scale program is broken down into two residences: one houses two schools and 201 student accommodation; and the second has a senior residence with 115 housing units and 82 residential apartments. Common access and the central patio facilitate exchanges between residents.

A strongly intergenerational dimension. Special feature of the program: students will present their end-of-study projects to a jury including residents of the different residences. Delivery is scheduled for the 4th quarter of 2026. The prize is presented by Bérengère Dubus, general secretary of the Union of Credit Intermediaries.

Label Economic activities: Hibrid, Ametis and Lazard Group

Hibrid, Ametis and Lazard Group Midi Libre – Giacomo Italiano

The Economic Activities prize is awarded to the Halle Nova tertiary program, supported by Hibrid, Ametis and Lazard Group in the Cambacérès district in Montpellier. Architects: Pierre Louis Taillandier, Samantha Dugay and GSLN. The concept: to offer a multitude of work spaces, co-working, training and conviviality to adapt to new lifestyles in business. The operation will span 27,000 m² of built surface area, including 22,000 m² of offices and 5,000 m² of active base including a gourmet hall of 1,300 m², a crèche, local shops, a relay point, coworking spaces…

This place aims to become a catalyst for innovation and entrepreneurship in order to attract businesses to Occitanie. Delivery: third quarter 2026. The prize is presented by Christophe Pouzol, real estate development director of Crédit Agricole du Languedoc.

Urban reconquest label:  ASL Château Bon

ASL Château Bon Midi Libre – Giacomo Italiano

ASL Château is awarded the Urban Reconquest prize for its project to rehabilitate Château Bon, a 17th century Montpellier folly. Architect: Gaël Lhenry. Historic building unoccupied as housing, this program, which promotes the architectural heritage of Montpellier, will welcome 15 privileged people, participating directly in the resurrection of this jewel. With a built surface area of ​​1,184 m², the operation will be delivered by the 4th quarter of 2026.

This renovation is part of a desire to rebuild the city within the city, by limiting artificialization and contributing to intelligent urban densification. Reusing existing structures reduces the consumption of new materials and the carbon footprint associated with construction. The prize is awarded by Élodie Nourrigat, architect at NBJ Architectes.

Architectural Aesthetics Label:  Vestia and Bouygues Immobilier

Vestia and Bouygues Immobilier Midi Libre – Giacomo Italiano

The Opale & Sens, supported by Vestia and Bouygues Immobilier in Montpellier, receives the Architectural Aesthetics prize. Project to promote the existing, highlighting the identity and history of the place, the residence extends over 2,843 m² of built surface area and offers 38 housing units. This is the first creation in France by architect Vincent Callebaut. Delivery is expected by the 4th quarter of 2025.
The program stands out with fluid and organic lines creating an impression of movement. For their part, innovative materials play with natural light. The project provides for planted terraces and hanging gardens. The prize is presented by Laurent Duport, president of the Occitanie Méditerranée Architecture and Project Owners association.

Jury's favorite:  Eiffage Immobilier

Eiffage Immobilier Midi Libre – Giacomo Italiano

Eiffage Immobilier receives the jury's favorite prize for its Anima program (architects: Tourre-Sanchis and Fontès), in the Cambacérès district in Montpellier. The project is characterized by an architectural language of southern cities, with a mineral and plant style offering shadows, thickness and depth. The program, intended for tertiary and teaching activities (notably the future MBS campus and Purple Campus), will be built on three R+7 buildings.

"The mesh, similar to mineral lace, will enliven the facades with plays of light and shadow, offering urban windows and solar protection efficient, constituting the graphic signature of the project", explains Eiffage Immobilier. Estimated delivery date: first quarter 2026. The prize is awarded by Manal Rachdi, architect-founder of OXO Architectes.