Laying of the foundation stone of the Opale residential program in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie

Driven by a strong mobilization of Vendée businesses, the project is progressing in close collaboration with local stakeholders. The ceremony took place in the presence of François Blanchet, Mayor of the town and President of the Pays de Saint Gilles Croix de Vie Agglomeration. Delivery of the first housing units is scheduled for the third quarter of 2026.

A local project that fits into the urban landscape

A former industrial site unoccupied since 2011, the 3.600 m² ENGIE brownfield site, located in the heart of the Vendée seaside resort, is finding new life thanks to the OPALE project. Developed by Icade Promotion, Brownfields, and Aire Nouvelle, this operation is part of the "Steen" land regeneration project acquired in 2 and is one of 2022 French sites slated for conversion into housing, offices, businesses, and retail.

Designed by the LT Archi agency, the project includes 56 housing units, spread across two buildings, ranging from 2 to 4 rooms, all with an outdoor space (loggia, balcony, or terrace). Nine units are being sold under Real Solidarity Lease (BRS) in partnership with the Solidarity Land Organization (OFS) Terra Noé, allowing low-income households to become homeowners at an affordable price. Since marketing began in September 2023, more than 70% of the units have already been reserved, the majority of which are local buyers, a sign of the project's suitability to the expectations of the Vendée region. To date, approximately 40% are primary residences, 25% are second homes, and 18% are rental investments.

An environmental demonstrator of urban reconversion

With the site's decontamination and 40% de-impermeability, the OPALE program offers a vision for more sustainable development in the city center. Led by Aire Nouvelle, the project's environmental approach is based on the four pillars of its "compass": materials, biodiversity, mobility, and energy. Each design choice aims to reduce the carbon footprint: local, low-carbon materials, for example, the use of French clay bricks from the Boyer Leroux brand, produced partly from biomass and biofuels.

Committed to the BiodiverCity approach, OPALE integrates solutions to support the development of biodiversity, notably through diversified vegetation, rich shrub layers, nesting boxes, soft lighting and openings designed to accommodate local wildlife. Designed for residents, the OPALE residence also offers a 127 m² bicycle storage area and 2 parking spaces, promoting soft mobility and daily comfort. The project embodies a new generation of housing: low-carbon, inclusive, landscaped and anchored in its territory. Through this project, Icade Promotion, Brownfields and Aire Nouvelle demonstrate that environmental performance, architectural requirements and territorial anchoring can advance jointly.

For François Blanchet, Mayor of the City and President of Pays-de-Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie Agglomeration: "This program was designed to meet the real needs of our city. The majority of buyers are from the Vendée region, which shows how much this type of offering is sought after locally. With Opale, we are revitalizing a derelict site by creating sustainable, accessible housing that integrates perfectly into its environment. This sends a strong signal for the attractiveness and quality of life in our city."

For Anne-Sophie Vassort, Director of Real Estate Programs at Aire Nouvelle, a subsidiary of Equans France: "The laying of this first stone marks the culmination of a collaborative effort carried out with our partners Icade Promotion and Brownfields, and with the support of the City of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie. Aire Nouvelle has contributed all of its environmental expertise: decarbonization, sustainable water management, and the creation of a living ecosystem at the heart of the project. Building housing also means designing sustainable landscapes and living environments."

For François Valentin, Deputy General Manager, Icade Promotion: "We are very pleased to officially launch the Opale project, an operation that addresses many challenges for Icade: de-artificialization, renaturation of the plot, affordable housing, and soft mobility. A program that is part of the rehabilitation of Engie brownfield sites, known as "Steen," and which illustrates our ReShapE strategic plan: rebuilding the city on the city, more sustainable and more mixed."

For Yoan Ramjanaly, Operational Director at Brownfields Immobilier: "We are proud to contribute to this ambitious project alongside our partners Icade Promotion and Aire Nouvelle. OPALE perfectly illustrates the mission we are pursuing at Brownfields: to revive a brownfield site marked by its environmental past. This project is becoming a reality thanks to the commitment of all the stakeholders—design offices, architects, and construction companies—who have combined their expertise with rigor and precision. The laying of this first stone marks a significant step in the transformation of this site, which has been unoccupied for more than ten years, and reflects our desire to rebuild the city within the city, in the very heart of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie."