Sophia Antipolis Science Park
The Sophia Antipolis science park, the first of its kind in Europe, is home to a great number of high-tech enterprises from across the world: over 1,200 companies (mainly in the high-tech sector) with over 27,000 employees (more than half of whom are executives) on 2,400 hectares in a well preserved natural setting.
Alongside these enterprises, the presence of numerous research laboratories and higher education establishments (including the Nice-Sophia Antipolis University) makes this one of the most sought-after sites in Europe.
The creation of a network of associated sites based right along the Côte d’Azur coastline will increase what Sophia Antipolis has to offer and enhance its overall integration on the Côte d’Azur.
Information: www.sophia-antipolis.net
A DEVELOPMENT CHARTER FOR COMPANIES
The development principles of Sophia Antipolis largely contribute to its success. The working environment thus created makes for an extremely high quality of life, which fosters creativity and productivity and comforts worldwide specialists that Sophia Antipolis is the perfect choice.
The development principles of the park allow the 2,400 hectares (1/4 of the area of Paris) of green land, business sites, inhabited areas and leisure zones to come together harmoniously. These principles were decreed in a charter by the Ministry for the Environment in 1976.
This charter imposes the ratio of 2/3 to 1/3 of green belt land to developed area as well as making sure than any construction fits in harmoniously to the surrounding area ensuring a balance between the two. No exceptions are to be made to the charter’s main principles.
Information: www.sophia-antipolis.net
REAL ESTATE PROGRAMME & PROJECTS
Available office space for rent stands at around 65,000/68,000 m²; this corresponds to approximately two years stock, since the average annual transaction level is approximately 20 to 25,000 m². The first semester of 2005 registered good results, with 12,000 m² of floor space leased.
Overall, the distribution in terms of square metres in Sophia Antipolis can be expressed as follows:
- A minority of enterprises own their own premises, (less than 10% of the total), yet they represent a sizeable surface volume: 650,000 m² (Air France, Ceram, Rohm and Haas, etc).
- The total rental volume in Sophia represents 450,000 m², with 350,000 m² of this being owned by Institutional Investors (Oppenheim Group, Stena Bureaux, Affine, etc.).
The development of Sophia Antipolis continues. Four remaining districts are still to be developed, representing around one hundred hectares, in the Mougins and Valbonne areas. In addition, a network of, “associated sites,” all along the Riviera is now being established.
Ultimately, the technology park will provide 50,000 jobs.
Information on current office property for rent:
www.sophia-antipolis.net
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Team Côte d'Azur is a joint initiative of the Alpes-Maritimes county council |
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