Espaces Ferroviaires signs the completion of Chapelle International in Paris' 18th arrondissement

The large-scale transformation carried out on the former 7-hectare railway site has given rise to a mixed-use district of 142.000 m², in line with the dynamics of Porte de la Chapelle initiated by the City of Paris.

To celebrate the completion of the operation, a festive event was organised on 10 July 2025 with partners, residents and users of the district, in the presence of ESPACES FERROVIAIRES, developer of the operation, represented by Antoine de Rocquigny, director of SNCF Immobilier and president of ESPACES FERROVIAIRES, Fadia Karam, general manager of ESPACES FERROVIAIRES and Éric Lejoindre, mayor of the 18th arrondissement.

According to Fadia Karam, Managing Director of ESPACES FERROVIAIRES: “Chapelle International is a new metropolitan district that gives this area a new face and boosts the attractiveness of Porte de la Chapelle. Our bold urban vision has become a reality, a benchmark that attracts many national and international stakeholders. The transformation of this former railway site is, for us, the culmination of more than 10 years of collaborative work with various stakeholders, engaging in ongoing dialogue throughout the project to create a district that perfectly meets the residents' expectations. Now, Chapelle International is reaching new heights, but it remains, above all, a grassroots endeavor, a testament to social cohesion and generosity. We are proud to have handed over this new urban asset to the City of Paris, the 18th arrondissement town hall, and the residents, so that this district remains a unifying and supportive community hub, reflecting the spirit of the 18th arrondissement.”

Public spaces: improvements to the original layout have recently been carried out

Designed by a multidisciplinary project management team comprised of AUC (architect-urban planner, lead firm), OGI (civil engineering firm), and Bureau Bas Smets (landscape architect), Chapelle International offers a comfortable living environment for residents and users of the site through several spaces: the April 21, 1944 Square, the tree-lined promenade, the wooded lawn, and the landscaped pathways. These spaces create distinct atmospheres within the neighborhood.

Between 2022 and 2025, ESPACES FERROVIAIRES has developed the initial project in order to better meet the aspirations of new residents and the current challenges of habitability in the area: planting of new trees, increase of green spaces, reduction of space given to cars, diversification of mobility options, addition of new street furniture and transformation of the playground.

The square of April 21, 1944

In addition to planting more trees, a shade canopy is planned to provide more shaded areas in the square. New play equipment has also been added for children. A stage and a fairground attraction will also allow for better hosting of festive and community events in the neighborhood.

The planted promenade and the Pierre Mauroy street

The reduction in the width of Rue Pierre Mauroy allowed for the widening of the tree-lined promenade. Seventy-five mature trees were planted, adding rhythm to the promenade. Rue Pierre Mauroy was also enhanced with bicycle racks, a Vélib' station, electric vehicle charging points, and delivery spaces, thus better meeting the needs of residents and users of the neighborhood.

The lawn with trees and the dog park

Connected to Professor Muhammad Yunus Square by a paved pedestrian walkway, these wooded areas with 19 trees offer a relaxing haven ideal for games, picnics, and rest. Designed to promote biodiversity, the landscaped lawn receives maintenance tailored to each planted area, including differentiated mowing practices. In response to requests from local residents, a secure dog park has also been created.

Greening the neighborhood

• 22.000 m² of planted public spaces, including 1,1 ha of green spaces (a square, a planted promenade, a lawn with a dog area and landscaped walkways);
• +14% more green space compared to the initial project
• 1.200 trees and shrubs planted including 195 tall trees, i.e. +15% tall trees on the overall operation compared to the initial project;
• +34% more trees on the tree-lined promenade compared to the initial project
• 7.000 m² of urban agriculture on the roof of the logistics hotel.

Citizen consultation with local residents throughout the project

Ongoing dialogue with local residents continued throughout the project with regular workshops and monitoring committees bringing together designers, operators, ESPACES FERROVIAIRES (Railway Spaces), and the City of Paris. The involvement of local residents from the very beginning of the urban development project was considerable. As early as 2008, a year before the project's launch, monitoring committees were created at the initiative of the City of Paris and ESPACES FERROVIAIRES, bringing together representatives of associations, neighborhood councils, and engaged residents.

Alongside the monitoring committees, ESPACES FERROVIAIRES has taken co-construction to a new level by integrating residents' representatives into the various selection panels for architects and operators. In 2022, the developer chose to redesign certain public spaces in the neighborhood to adapt them to evolving uses and residents' expectations. A study, combining statistical analysis and citizen participation, identified areas for improvement in the neighborhood's various public spaces.

Chapelle International at the heart of the urban renewal of Northeast Paris

Chapelle International is part of the major transformation of the Porte de la Chapelle area, led by the City of Paris. This project aims to create new metropolitan districts across Greater Paris. The district fully benefits from this territorial dynamic, notably thanks to the extension of metro line 12 to the Aubervilliers town hall. This new district also benefits from top-tier facilities nearby, including the Adidas Arena, which hosted some events of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the upcoming Condorcet campus, which will welcome its first students in January 2026. By bridging the gaps between the capital and the surrounding municipalities, these developments position Chapelle International as a new, more attractive and dynamic gateway to Greater Paris.

According to Éric Lejoindre, mayor of the 18th arrondissement: “The transformation of Porte de la Chapelle is progressing rapidly, in accordance with the commitments made. From a territory serving the City, it needed to become a place serving its residents. It should no longer be a territory of infrastructure but a place of openness! No longer a constrained space but a place where people live every day. Chapelle International is a fine example of this successful transformation.”

A new neighborhood to meet the needs of the residents

The Chapelle International district offers approximately 1.100 housing units, including nearly 700 family housing units with a very diverse program (social rental housing, controlled rent housing, ownership housing) and more than 400 housing units in residences dedicated to students, researchers, young professionals and migrant workers.

The development operation contributed to the creation of public facilities by financing the responses to the needs generated by the project, representing nearly 6.000 m² of public facilities developed by the City of Paris:

• Sports fields (3.000 m²) on the roof of the logistics hotel;
• A school with 12 classrooms and a nursery with 99 cribs;
• A gymnasium of 1.200 m²;
• A cultural facility dedicated to fine arts and amateur artistic practices.

A new district built on a former railway site

Since its creation in 1830, the La Chapelle train station has handled goods, parcels, mail, and especially international freight, hence its name. The district is therefore still called Chapelle International, without the final "e".

To the north was a second station, La Chapelle-Saint-Denis, reserved for passenger transport, which ceased operations in 1934. In 1944, the freight station was completely destroyed by bombing. The Tafanel company, a beverage distributor, then took over the site in the 1980s. In 2008, a mixed-use development project was launched, and the Paris City Council approved the plan. Demolition of the disused freight sheds began in 2014, and construction of the logistics hub and apartment buildings started in 2016.

The establishment of diversified economic structures

Several types of economic actors have the opportunity to set up shop (offices for rent, coworking spaces, shops, etc.). Thus, freelancers, professionals, self-employed individuals, artisans, large and small businesses, and associations can interact daily in an environment designed for them and to meet their specific needs.

• Two office buildings for rent, Kara and Tribeca, totaling over 35.000 m², facing Boulevard Ney and overlooking the Petite Ceinture railway.
• 62 activity spaces intended for artisans, micro-enterprises, self-employed and liberal professions.

A district rich in urban innovations

The potential of Chapelle International has allowed ESPACES FERROVIAIRES to imagine an innovative district with residential and economic functionalities.

A 35.000 m² multimodal logistics hotel

The long building that separates the Chapelle International district from the railway line is more than just an urban logistics facility. It addresses the evolving consumption needs of city dwellers by promoting clean transport and delivery of goods, while also offering new services. On the ground floor, 9.000 m² of space dedicated to SMEs such as Les Camionneuses and the Basic Fit gym creates a link with the district's urban functions. In the basement, a storage area of ​​approximately 10.000 m² is allocated to the Metro retail chain.

An active rooftop featuring a 7.000 m² urban rooftop farm and 3.000 m² of sports fields

Plantation Paris is one of the largest urban farms in Paris. Founded by the operator Cultivate and subsequently run by Plantation, this farm occupies a greenhouse partially heated by heat recovered from a data center. Beyond agricultural production, this urban farm with a view of Montmartre opened its doors to the public this summer through a variety of events.

Extending from this urban farm, City of Paris sports fields, including tennis courts, are also available and accessible to the public from the Chapelle International gymnasium.

An innovative and sustainable heat source

The Chapelle International district is heated by a local heat loop independent of the Parisian network. This energy production plant is powered by 50% renewable energy from heat recovery from a City of Paris data center, and by biogas.

Chapelle International in figures:

• 1.100 homes, 50% of which are social housing;
• 35.000 m² of office space;
• 6.000 m² of public facilities: a school with 12 classrooms and a nursery with 99 cribs, a gymnasium, sports fields and a cultural facility dedicated to the practice of Fine Arts;
• 3.000 m² of sports fields set up on the roof of the logistics hotel;
• 4.000 m² of business space for independent professionals;
• 45.000 m² of logistics and storage hotel

The actors of the project

• Developer: Railway Spaces
• Partners: City of Paris, 18th arrondissement town hall
• Project management team: AUC (architect-urban planner, lead consultant), OGI (civil engineering firm) and Bureau Bas Smets (landscape architect)
• Project management assistance: BOA (lighting), Terre-Eco (sustainable development)
• Companies: Colas (roads and utilities), Terideal (lighting), IDVERDE (green spaces)
• Operators: Cultivate, Plantation, Hénéo, ICF Habitat La Sablière, Legendre Immobilier, Linkcity, RIVP, Sogaris, Sogeprom, City of Paris, Vinci Immobilier
• Residents, businesses, associations and users of Chapelle International