On Thursday 21 June, 2007, Mr. Bourdouleix, Deputy Mayor of Cholet, and Thierry Pin, Managing Director of Multi Development France, have broken gound for the 20,000-m² shopping scheme Les Arcades Rougé in Cholet, in the heart of the Pays de la Loire region in the Northwest of France, 40 kms from Nantes and Angers. Les Arcades Rougé is developed by Multi Development France. Architects are T+T Design (concept) and A+ Architecture. The shopping center will open to the public in 2009.
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Artist impression of Les Arcades Rougé
The architectural concept integrates shopping and living and will regenerate the part of the city center between Rue de la Sardinerie, Rue Bretonnaise, Rue Jean Jaurès and Rue des Brosses. On a site that was formerly partly a parking lot a new district will be created, incorporating a mix of urban functions that guarantee a lively atmosphere throughout the day as well as the evening.
Through difference in height and variation in design of the buildings and façades the project will blend in with the surrounding buildings. Although the majority is new built, some ancient buildings are included in the design as well. Shops are situated both along the existing streets on all sides of the project as well as on the upper ground floor along a new and spacious curved shopping mall that leads through the middle of the project. An attractive square with trees forms the heart of this shopping area. In total there is 20,000 m² of retail, including a supermarket, two medium-sized specialized retail units, 40 shops and restaurants, a cinema (9 screens), 80 apartments for sale and a public parking of 500 spaces. In addition to this program a 3-star hotel will be developed.
Les Arcades Rougé is an ambitious project. It has been carefully designed not to overshadow and disrupt Cholet's existing retailers. It will in fact strengthen all commercial activity in Cholet. National and international brand names not yet represented in Cholet, will find new opportunities to establish shops in Les Arcades Rougé, a new and vital commercial area in the town center.
Source: Multi
