ALE signs a 9-year contract for its new offices in Illkirch

Groupama Gan REIM, on behalf of SCPI Affinités Pierre, acquired the 7,300 m2 office complex near Strasbourg, rented to Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise and built by GA Smart Building.

Paris, France, October 1st 2020 – The property, leased for nine years to Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise, a leading provider of communications, networking and cloud solutions tailored to customers’ industries, is due for delivery in October 2021 and will have an HQE "Excellent" certification. Project partners Artelia and ADD (Ateliers des Demoiselles) will employ the latest expertise to create a modern and functional layout for the interior of the site. 

The new site will house the research and development teams for RainbowTM, ALE’s cloud based collaborative solution that communicates with connected objects and IoT. The site will also house an electronics and acoustics development laboratory for the development of corporate communication systems and terminals, and could also accommodate other companies looking for office space in the Strasbourg Innovation Park. This investment of over €21.3 million reflects SCPI Affinités Pierre’s desire and commitment to position itself on new, environmentally sound buildings that are rented on a long-term basis.

The architectural project, designed by Studio Montazami, is conceived as a landscaped complex centered around two buildings connected by a central lobby, and an employee cafeteria with a 300-person capacity. The two buildings enjoy views of the nearby park and interior promenades. The office floors feature large floor-to-ceiling bay windows to let in light, showcase the green spaces outside, and accentuate the sense of space. The central lobby is located at the intersection of the two buildings, creating a space where team members and visitors can cross paths and exchange.

The volumes are sculpted by bays arranged in staggered rows that deliver a dynamic quality to the space. The facades vibrate and react to the ambient light, and are discreetly adorned with random punch holes reminiscent of computer punch cards.

Work began in August 2020 with the off-site construction approach characteristic of the GA Smart Building. Delivery of the building complex is scheduled for October 2021.

"By signing this nine-year lease and moving into the heart of the Strasbourg Innovation Park in Illkirch, France, Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise continues to demonstrate its commitment and dedication to the French market, and more specifically to the Eastern region, a historical and strategic symbol of its presence in France," said Sylvain Lecoustey, General Manager Sales France, Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise.

According to Alexandre Hamon, Investment Director of Groupama Gan REIM, "The SCPI Affinités Pierre completes its French territorial coverage in a region where it had little presence. This office property complex, located in the heart of the Strasbourg Innovation Park and leased to Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise, allows the SCPI to strengthen its portfolio of new assets, to consolidate its rental status, which has an average maturity of eight years, and to have a new anchor tenant. Groupama Gan REIM has once again demonstrated its ability to identify and conclude transactions as part of a logic of sustainable value creation.”

"We are pleased to commence work on this beautiful complex that will host Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise, who once again demonstrates their confidence in us. It is an adventure that we are pleased to share once again with Groupama Gan REIM, that has signed its fourth acquisition with GA Smart Building since 2016", concludes France Vidal, GA Smart Building's Director of Southwest Promotion.

For this transaction, the buyer was advised by the notary firm Oudot & Associés (Maitre Conrad-Bruat), the Archers firm (Maitre Moutet) for the legal aspects and the company Setim for the technical aspects.