In Toulouse, the Halles de la Cartoucherie are finally preparing their moult
In the center of the new Toulouse district of La Cartoucherie which is emerging from the ground, hall 121 is undergoing a renaissance. The tiled roof of the industrial building, a vestige of GIAT Industrie, has been removed. It reveals a concrete skeleton 190 meters long which will remain visible in the new hall, which is scheduled to open in February 2023. For this vestige, the Compagnie Architecture agency, the project’s representative, has opted for a new roof in metal, both insulating and acoustic.
“The original frame, which was too light, could not have supported the weight of a new tiled roof with insulation”, explains Jules Eymard, the architect. This phase of demolition and structural work must continue until the end of the year and it is proving delicate. “We are demolishing the existing paving to pass networks. Or, the soils are polluted and there are pyrotechnic safety issues, which is why we are supported by the Géomine demining company ”, explains Vanessa Larrère, architect of the Toulouse agency Oeco associated with the project.
Conservative cathedral effect
This project is supported by a totally private project owner, the Lotjas real estate company, comprising 40% of the Caisse des Dépôts and 60% of the Cosmopolis collective. The rehabilitation amounts to 13 million euros excluding tax and the Occitanie Region is contributing 1.7 million euros, as part of a NoWatt grant. It supports the environmental exemplary nature of the project (use of bio-based materials (wood), and low-carbon concrete, reuse of part of the roof tiles, etc.).
The 13,000 m2 of the new third-place will be split, on the north side, into a gourmet hall of 3,000 m2 and 2,000 m2 of offices. The central aisle of the hall will be preserved to maintain the cathedral effect. On either side of this bay, wooden mezzanines will be fitted out to accommodate 25 catering areas and offices. “To date, the restaurateurs have been shortlisted. There will be no franchisees, because the idea is rather to work with local players, guarantors of a quality and varied offer and capable of being part of a virtuous, anti-waste approach. The final choices will be made in the first quarter of 2022 ”, specifies Adrien Ramirez, co-founder of Foncière Bellevilles, which invests up to 20% of the Cosmopolis collective.
On the south side, the room will host a 3000 m2 climbing room by The Roof, a squash room dedicated to yoga and fitness, managed by UCPA. The two parts will be connected by a vegetated passage crossing on both sides from the district.
Beatrice Girard
On the photo: The roof of Hall 121 has been completely removed and the demolition and structural work will continue until the end of the year. Credit: Hélène Ressayre – ToulÉco.
On the second: The Halle Gourmande will bring together 25 varied catering areas, the operation of which will no doubt be entrusted to local players. Credit: Oeco and Compagnie Architecture.
On the third: The first site meeting organized a few days ago around the model of hall 121. Credit: Béatrice Girard.