Lyon, February 3 – The Lyon Metropolis has initiated a new stage in the redevelopment of the Halle Debourg site in Gerland, Lyon’s 7th district. The ambitious real estate project will include the creation of 81 homes, local shops, and a nursery. Led by Lyon Métropole Habitat, this operation is integral to the dynamic transformation of the Gerland neighborhood.
Project Originates from a Real Estate Consultation
In 2023, the Lyon Metropolis launched a real estate consultation to enhance the value of the Halle Debourg land, addressing the scarcity of available land. Following this process, the project proposed by Lyon Métropole Habitat, in partnership with the AFAA architectural agency, was selected.
The program has now reached a new milestone with the deliberation concerning the provision of land, partly through sale and partly through an emphyteutic lease.
A Mixed-Use Program at the Heart of the Gerland District
Located at the corner of Avenue Debourg and the recently requalified Allée Fontenay, the site is situated in a neighborhood that has been undergoing significant change since the early 2000s. This transformation focuses on strengthening economic and scientific hubs, as well as developing a living environment that combines housing, shops, and services.
The project envisions the construction of three buildings, totaling 6,900 square meters of floor area, integrating 81 homes, a commercial space, a nursery, and landscaped areas.
Majority of Affordable Housing Options
The program aims to address the region’s housing needs through a diverse and accessible offering. It includes 36% social housing, 23% intermediate rental housing, and 41% homes under a real estate solidarity lease (bail réel solidaire – BRS), in partnership with the Foncière Solidaire du Grand Lyon.
These BRS homes will be marketed at a price approximately 50% lower than the free market. The typologies primarily consist of three- and four-room apartments (T3 and T4), which represent 66% of the program. Five-room apartments (T5) account for 10%, two-room apartments (T2) for 20%, while a few one-room apartments (T1) will accommodate young residents.
Integrated Nursery and Local Shops
The project includes the establishment of a nursery with 48 cradles, covering an area of 640 square meters, opening onto a protected garden in the heart of the block.
A 250-square-meter commercial space will further enhance the neighborhood’s service offerings.
Design Focused on Performance and Environmental Quality
The buildings will be designed to limit energy consumption and control charges. Each home will be through-plan and connected to the district heating network.
A vegetated rooftop terrace will be accessible to residents. More than 40% of the site’s surface will remain as open ground.
The AFAA agency prioritizes materials such as wood and earth concrete, particularly for balconies, joinery, and the bases of the buildings. The project also plans for the creation of vegetated spaces that promote ecological continuity, including a small wooded area in the heart of the block.
Calendar Now Specified
The building permit was obtained in January 2026. During the permanent commission on January 26, the Lyon Metropolis validated the land transfer and the lease necessary for the project’s realization.
Demolition work is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2026, marking the operational launch of this new phase of site transformation.
