First stone laid for Carpe Diem Tower: a flagship project in the renovation of La Défense Business Center

First skyscraper in France to seek dual environmental certification
Paris La Défense, 14 March 2011 — The ceremony was attended by:

• Joëlle Ceccaldi-Raynaud, Member of Parliament representing Hauts-de-Seine area, mayor of Puteaux and chairwoman of the EPADESA Board of Directors
• Jacques Kossowski, Member of Parliament representing Hauts-de-Seine, mayor of Courbevoie and vice-chairman of the EPADESA Board of Directors
• Patrick Devedjian, Member of Parliament representing Hauts-de-Seine, Chairman of the Hauts-de-Seine council and Chairman of DEFACTO
• His Excellency the Ambassador of Belgium, Mr Patrick Vercauteren Drubbel
• Nicolas Schimel, CEO of Aviva France,
• Jérôme Grivet, CEO of Crédit Agricole Assurances and Predica,
• Joëlle Chauvin, Chairman and CEO of Aviva Investors Real Estate France S.A. - FRICS.

The Carpe Diem tower project, launched four years ago by Aviva France, is jointly financed by Aviva and Predica, a Crédit Agricole Assurances subsidiary, through a real estate investment trust.
Aviva France CEO Nicolas Schimel said, “Carpe Diem tower shows Aviva's confidence in the future of La Défense as a services hub for the French economy. It also demonstrates our faith in the values of sustainable development. We are proud to have initiated this trailblazing project and are both honoured and pleased that Predica has joined us as an equal partner".
Jérôme Grivet, CEO of Crédit Agricole Assurances and Predica, added, “We are especially proud to be investing in such a major project alongside Aviva France and thus helping to boost finance economic activity. This partnership is a mark of our mutual trust and shared vision of the future. It also fits perfectly with our investment policy and emphasises the importance we attach to social and environmental responsibility.”
Joëlle Chauvin, Chairman and CEO of Aviva Investors Real Estate France S.A., FRICS, explained: "The Carpe Diem tower will stand out for its original architecture and flexible, elegant functionality. It will be the first skyscraper in the new La Défense renovation/demolition/construction plan and the first building in France to obtain both French HQE® certification for high environmental quality and a US Gold LEED® rating".
Designed by New York-based Robert A. M. Stern Architects, the project will incorporate the tower into both the established esplanade of La Défense and the town of Courbevoie, one of the requirements in the specifications drawn up by the contracting authority and EPADESA. Hines France has been chosen as the prime contractor.
The building will have two types of façade: the diamond-shaped glass-faceted north and south facades that will reflect light, and the entirely smooth-surfaced east and west ones. It will accommodate 3,000 people and include a retail area on the urban boulevard side, an auditorium, restaurants, a winter garden and a hanging garden accessible through a terrace. Some 700 people will be hired to work on the site, including more than 400 journeymen.
Delivery of the building is scheduled for the end of 2012.

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