The Groupama Group and Total have signed a pre-construction lease for the construction of The Link project, which will house Total’s future headquarters in Paris La Défense. The Link—named after the “links” (walkways) connecting the tower’s two wings—is a project designed by the architectural firm PCA-STREAM on behalf of Groupama, the site’s owner, and is being built by Vinci Construction France.

Located in the Michelet district, The Link comprises two towers connected over 30 floors by green skywalks. The “Arche” wing rises 228 meters above the Parvis with 50 floors, and the “Seine” wing stands 165 meters tall with 35 floors. The complex rests on a shared three-story base between the urban boulevard and the Parvis. The walkways create floor plans of 3,000 m² and 6,000 m² for duplexes, with all floors connected in pairs by large, open, and easily accessible staircases. Employees have access to 130,000 m² of office, dining, coworking, and relaxation spaces. These spaces are designed to enhance well-being at work and collective efficiency.

The tower stands on the current site of the Le Michelet building, which was demolished in 2021.

Philippe Chiambaretta has reimagined the fundamentals of the traditional tower to address a shift in the way work is organized.

• A new horizontal layout: PCA STREAM has designed an innovative tower structure that takes full advantage of the plot’s size: the tower is split into two wings, connected by 30 links, known as the “Links.” More than 8 meters wide and featuring rooftop gardens with spectacular views, they are designed as meeting points.
• Unique 6,000-square-meter duplexes: by connecting the two buildings, these Links create 3,000-square-meter floors. All floors function as duplexes via large open staircases, creating 6,000-square-meter units that can accommodate 500 people—four times more than a single floor in a conventional tower.
• Each duplex has its own organic rhythm, within which movement occurs on foot, without using the elevator, with the aim of fostering human interaction.
• An “open-air” tower, with 2,800 m² of outdoor spaces: 6 large terraces, 15 open-air hanging gardens, 6 naturally ventilated winter gardens, and 2 rooftop gardens. No employee is more than a 30-second walk from an outdoor space.
• A viewpoint overlooking Paris: the landscaped rooftop garden, 154 meters above ground, offers a new perspective on Paris and the historic axis connecting La Défense to the Louvre, passing by the Arc de Triomphe and the Place de la Concorde
   

The Link holds the highest environmental certification (HQE Exceptionnel), guaranteeing the highest standards in terms of energy efficiency, as well as thermal and acoustic comfort. 100% of the workstations are natural light-filled, and 25% of the energy required for the tower’s lighting will be provided by its photovoltaic façade. The construction work is being carried out in accordance with the Circular Economy Charter for the Real Estate and Construction Sector, signed by Groupama Immobilier and VINCI Construction France.

The Link enables Total to reduce its energy consumption by 50% compared to its current towers, thanks in particular to its double-skin facade, which provides thermal insulation and is equipped with photovoltaic panels.

The arrival of The Link tower in 2025 will transform the landscape of the Michelet neighborhood. The neighborhood is well-connected to the rest of Puteaux and brings a real sense of vitality to Paris La Défense. Cours Michelet will undergo extensive renovation and be landscaped with greenery.

In close collaboration with the Hauts-de-Seine Department and the City of Puteaux, a study was conducted to explore the creation of urban connections linking the development to downtown Puteaux. The redevelopment of the circular boulevard, which currently serves as a boundary between the business district and downtown Puteaux, is also under consideration with the aim of transforming it into a quiet, pedestrian-friendly urban boulevard.

• April 2019: Building permit obtained.
• March 2020: Signing of the lease agreement between Groupama and Total and the property development contract between Groupama and VINCI Construction France.
• 2020: Demolition of existing buildings, design.
• 2021: Construction of foundations.
• 2022: Construction of the base (7 floors, from the 2nd basement to the 2nd floor)
• 2023–2025: Construction of the structure at a rate of one floor per week, interior fittings Second half of 2025: Finishing touches, inspection, and acceptance of the project
• 2025: Finishing touches, inspection, and acceptance of the project

• HQE SUSTAINABLE BUILDING 2016 OUTSTANDING
• BIODIVERCITY BASIC
• BBC EFFINERGIE +
• WELL BUILDING STANDARD CORE & SHELL SILVER
• BREEAM INTERNATIONAL 2016 NEW CONSTRUCTION EXCELLENT

The Link promotes the use of carbon-free transport: no car parking but 350 m² of underground bicycle parking, direct access on foot or by bike from the boulevard, traffic calming measures on the circular boulevard, etc.