In Toulouse, Autantyk wants to reinvent the world of tertiary real estate
After a first professional life of almost twenty years in IT, Patrick Thaunay wanted to build a project more in line with his values. “I don’t believe in the economy as it is. We are in a race for growth that has destroyed the planet and its people. The consumer society takes meaning away from our lives,” says the entrepreneur, with a hint of lyricism in his voice.
In 2015, he therefore embarked on the Autantyk business building project. The aim is to bring together companies that differ in social and ecological values. A piece of land was found in Toulouse, in the Montaudran district, a stone’s throw from La Cité. Today, the initiative is on track. After the various study phases (skills study, building permit, etc.), the works should begin in a few months and end at the end of 2023. The total budget for the project is 18 million euros.
“Between thirty and fifty companies” must be hosted in an “environmentally exemplary” location (rock fiber facade, straw insulation, rainwater recovery, precise indicators of energy consumption, geothermal and photovoltaic, etc.). We will find the typical equipment in this type of place (meeting rooms, video rooms, telephone booths, etc.) “but also flex-office spaces on subscription (1 to 3 days a week) for hosted companies” .
“More than 500 people are expected to occupy the business building”
A café-restaurant, a micro-nursery, seminar spaces, an event space “with a real cultural program”, a place dedicated to well-being, etc. Autantyk promises many services to benefit “the body and mind” of its occupants. The companies that will rent spaces there will pay “a basic service” which will provide them with all its advantages.
Among the companies already involved, the environmental studies offices Inddigo and Ecozimut or the free software company Makina Corpus. The promoters of the project are the Duval group and Socotrap Immobilier and the architectural firm is Aca Architectes (which will have its future offices in Autantyk). The National Agency for Urban Renewal (Anru) would provide financial support to the initiative. “More than 500 people” should quickly occupy the new type of business building. A concept that may be emulated.
In Bordeaux, Marseille, Rennes and Lille, entrepreneurs would have shown themselves supposed to duplicate the project. The creator of Autantyk also plans to create “an endowment fund” so that the possible development of his idea, across the territory, does not allow him to enrich himself personally. And to thus show itself “in coherence” with the values that it claims.
Mathias Hardoy
In the photos: Prefiguration of the Autantyk project (front image) led by entrepreneur Patrick Thaunay (second image), who has already gathered around him several entrepreneurs for his new kind of business building project (third picture). Credit: Autantyk.