Official inauguration of the 40 and 50 Arlequin: a major step for Grenoble demo site

Thursday, December 8, 2016 was the official inauguration of the 40 and 50 Arlequin. This date marks the end of exceptional work begun almost two years ago, but also the continuation of monitoring and the perspective of future developments, with  “Durable city and territories” National Call launched by the ANRU (Urban Renewable National Agency).

The 243 retrofitted apartments of both 40 and 50 ARLEQUIN building were officially inaugurated by SDH and ACTIS, in the presence of the Mayor of Grenoble and the representatives of French State, local authorities (Region, Department and metropolis), companies involved in the work, and residents of the two buildings and the neighborhood.

The 150 attendees could discover the new facades and halls, and take the new lifts (especially the very spectacular one created on the gable wall of the 40!), and visit the show and pedagogical flats in each of both buildings.

They could also admire two mural paintings realized at the foot of the 40 and on the gable wall of the 50 during the 2016 edition of “Grenoble Street art festival”.

The speeches made by the officials highlighted the ambition of the project, the extreme complexity of the work carried out on atypical and occupied buildings, and the professionalism of the companies and teams involved in the project. The very important support of the ANRU and of the European Zen N program was mentioned, with the need and willingness to continue to transform the entire neighborhood. 

Officials also emphasized the patience of the occupants of the two buildings, who suffered serious nuisances during the entire duration of the work.