The inauguration of this new type of shopping center, eagerly awaited by residents and those involved in the project, offers a city center equivalent to the metropolis’ second city.
Everything had been carefully prepared for the opening of this new commercial center, on October 2 at midday. A red hot air balloon bore the name Neyrpic in the sky of Saint-Martin-d’Hères, a show of climbers, dancers and tightrope walkers animated the facades and aisles of the shopping center with its open architecture, skillfully preserved and judiciously integrated . The teams from new brands and restaurants were also on alert to welcome the thousands of curious people present at the event. Everything had been thought of to also make this day “ a day of justice which corrects the social and spatial inequality in access to the shops of Martinerois “, according to the city’s mayor, David Queiros, who paid tribute to the memory “ thousands of workers who worked in the Neyrpic factory for decades, to produce parts for hydroelectric power plants still in operation today ».
95 % d’occupation
All the figures had been collected by the promoter Apsys team to answer the questions of the numerous journalists who came to cover “ the one and only opening in France this year of a shopping, leisure and living complex », as recalled by its founding president, Maurice Bansay. Thus, this new commercial polarity which required 250 million euros of private investment integrates 110 commercial brands, including 20 restaurants, a festive bar and 10,000 m2 multi-activity leisure. The marketing rate reaches 95%, “ a record in the commercial context », Specifies the promoter. All arguments were prepared to respond to opponents of the project – which led to ten years of legal proceedings, from the administrative court to the Council of State – fearing an aspiration of consumption to the detriment of other commercial polarities in the Grenoble area. “ With 60% new brands, Neyrpic is a complement, not a competitor. The challenge is to work collectively to reinvent physical commerce in the face of online commerce giants », insisted Maurice Bansay. Everything was ready, then! With the exception of the siren of the population alert and information system – 1is Wednesday of the month obliges – which rang out right in the middle of the inaugural speech, causing a short moment of hesitation among the organizers, before giving way to laughter and applause from the large audience. A way, too, for him to wish “ long live Neyrpic ».
