fuksas transforms marseilles' industrial harbor with hotel and office complex

in 2006, massimiliano and doriana fuksas won a competition to transform marseilles’ industrial harbor as part of the french city’s ‘euroméditerranée’ urban development. now, 12 years later, the ‘euromed center’ is nearly complete, with only one component of the project — an eye-catching cinema complex — still under construction. the project is aligned with the neighboring boulevard in close proximity to the water, and seeks to enliven the district through a mix of architectural styles and functions.

the project seeks to transform marseilles’ industrial harbor 
image © roland halbe (also main image)

the completed development includes: four office buildings, capable of accommodating about 3,400 people; a four star 210-room hotel with a swimming pool, solarium terrace, and fitness center; a pedestrian street with shops and services; and a public green space with a 4,000-square-meter park. named the ‘jardin d’arenc’, the park has been designed to serve as an active and welcoming public space 24 hours a day.

the project forms part of the city’s ‘euroméditerranée’ urban development
image © roland halbe

joining this ensemble of buildings will eventually be a cinema complex with 15 screens, referred to as the ‘dolphins’. ‘the multiplex participates with its sculptural cover to give the architectural ensemble a strong visual presence in the redesigned urban landscape,’ explains studio fuksas, speaking about the final piece of the project. ‘the fluid forms are voluntarily integrated into the set of constructions that slip into the wind.’

the project is aligned with the neighboring boulevard in close proximity to the water
image © roland halbe

the scheme seeks to enliven the district through a mix of architectural styles and functions
image © roland halbe

a four star 210-room hotel is included as part of the masterplan
image © roland halbe

a historic silo is located opposite the site
image © roland halbe

the window frames add color to the development
image © roland halbe

the four office buildings are capable of accommodating about 3,400 people
image © roland halbe

a pedestrian street with shops and services is also included
image © roland halbe

an aerial view of marseilles’ industrial harbor
image © roland halbe

the eye-catching cinema complex is still under construction
image © fuksas

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project info:

name: euromed center
site: marseille, france
address: joliette district, zone d’aménagement concerté (ZAC) area
period: 2006 – 2017
client: marseille euromed center represented by cogedim – altarea et crédit agricole immobilier promotion | investors: foncière des régions
program: – 4 office buildings: building H / astrolab, building L / hermione, building H2 / floreal, building I / calypso; hotel 4* /golden tulip with 220 rooms; parking 850 places; urban park / jardin d’arenc; dolphin multiplex cinema 15-screen
architects: massimiliano and doriana fuksas
landscape and jardin d’arenc: michel desvigne paysagiste
general contractor: cari med – fayat batiment
engineering: egis batiment; safety: socotec; fire safety: euro coord
acoustics: avel – acoustique
lighting consulting: franjou
sustainability: doler environnement
geo-technic: sol conseil
built surface: 60,000 sqm / 645,834 sqf