Lyon, May 3 – The former Nexans site in the Gerland district of Lyon’s 7th arrondissement is on the cusp of a significant transformation, with a new urban development project poised to break ground. This ambitious undertaking will introduce residential towers, hundreds of new homes, and a substantial park, marking one of the final major redevelopments in the Gerland area.
Project Overview: Housing and Green Spaces
The reconversion of the 8.3-hectare site, located to the north, south, and west of the EM Lyon campus, will feature a notable verticality with the construction of several residential towers. This urban density will be counterbalanced by the creation of the 1.5-hectare Parc des Balançoires (Swing Park).
A total of 600 homes are planned for the new district. The entire project is the result of a urban partnership agreement signed in 2023 with Bouygues Immobilier, a prominent real estate developer.
Construction Phases and Housing Breakdown
Bouygues Immobilier is slated to commence construction on two buildings along Avenue Jean-Jaurès in late 2026. One of these will be a 13-story timber-framed building, offering 35 apartments for open access and 5 for affordable access (through a real estate solidarity lease).
Adjacent to this, another building will house 32 social housing units, acquired by Lyon Métropole Habitat. Further developments are planned, including 69 apartments and a crèche on Rue Lortet, 150 social student housing units (acquired by CDC Habitat) and 16 social housing units (Lyon Métropole Habitat) south of the campus, and nearly 300 homes distributed across two lots (Bouygues Immobilier, Grand Lyon Habitat) to the far west of the site.
Preserving Industrial Heritage: The Nexans Hall
The project also aims to retain the site’s industrial character through the rehabilitation of an old hall situated along Rue Lortet. This structure, erected between 1910 and 1970, was once a vibrant part of the Compagnie générale des câbles de Lyon, later acquired by Nexans.
The 10,000 square meters of this rehabilitated hall are envisioned to accommodate productive activities on upper floors and offices, with the top floor designated for covered parking beneath a sunshade. To minimize disruption for local residents, all loading and unloading operations will occur within the building. Bérengère Bouvier, Regional Director of Bouygues Immobilier, stated, “We are testing the market before submitting the building permit.” The fate of another hall, located south of the campus and considered for co-living, remains uncertain.
Park Development and Public Amenities
The City of Lyon will undertake the development of the Parc des Balançoires, which will feature orchards and children’s play areas. Its opening is anticipated in 2030, providing a much-needed green space for residents of the new district and the wider Gerland community.
This project follows a period of transitional urbanism on the site, which previously hosted the Cité des Halles. The redevelopment is expected to significantly contribute to the ongoing revitalization of Gerland, a district that has seen considerable growth and modernization in recent years.
Source: https://actu.fr/auvergne-rhone-alpes/lyon_69123/des-tours-d-habitation-logements-un-parc-ce-nouveau-quartier-va-sortir-de-terre-a-lyon_64217471.html
