With the end of the project scheduled for 2025, the new “Mareterra” offshore extension is an ambitious and titanic project, which has its share of surprises in store.

1. Six new hectares reclaimed from the sea

To cope with the growing demand for housing, the Principality had no choice but to expand its territory. Here, we were talking about an extension of six hectares, or 3% of Monegasque territory, directly reclaimed from the sea from Anse du Portier.

Five new luxury buildings, 14 villas, a commercial space, a new port, a public car park with 165 spaces and a green park will be built, among other infrastructures. This is not the first time that the Principality has extended over the sea: since the beginning of the 19th century, Monaco has expanded its territory by 20% with, in particular, the district of Fontvieille which will soon be renovated.

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2. An eco-responsible extension

Gaining hectares from the sea, yes, on condition, however, of not threatening the environment and in particular the seabed, an extremely important cause for Prince Albert II. This is why the architects of the project opted for a curved shape, in order to facilitate the flow of the sea current: ” this current is very important, because it is what gives life. There is an ecological idea at the start “, explains Denis Valode, of the architecture firm Valode & Pistre, on the official site.

The 510 m2 of Posidonia Oceanica, a protected sea grass, will be saved and artificial reefs will be created to favor the colonization of the new maritime coast. On land, the instigators of the project have planned the planting of 800 trees, the creation of bird’s nests and insect hotels, as well as 600 meters of cycle path and 19,000 m2 of pedestrian zone.

Housing and gardens also provide the subject of ecological measures, such as the installation of 9,000 m2 of solar panels, 200 charging systems for electric vehicles or even automatic watering depending on humidity and rainfall.

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3. More than 800 people take part in the worksite

To carry out a project of this magnitude, the troops had to be mobilized! 800 people now work in the district, designed by architects Denis Valode (Valode & Pistre) and Renzo Piano (Renzo Piano Building Workshop), and landscape designer Michel Desvigne.

Designers, architects, engineers and internationally renowned environmental experts are working together to complete this new space which, in the words of Prince Albert II, “ embodies the excellence and friendliness that are the pride of the Principality of Monaco. Mareterra will fit perfectly into our coastline and will be considered in a few years as a natural extension of our territory. »

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