Works, housing prices, luxury hotel… Update on the Castéja islet, in Bordeaux, in the final stretch of the construction site

Nnot one, but construction sites on both sides, from the installation of plaster partitions to the first landscaping touches of an interior courtyard, including the cleaning of old stones. Behind the high fences, a few dozen meters from the Saint-Seurin basilica, in Bordeaux, the (Ré) public project, a vast real estate program by the social landlord Gironde Habitat, is continuing its course. Already three and a half years of work in the grounds of the former Castéja central police station and… six months of renovation to follow: the 166 housing units, including 108 social rentals, 37 in social accession and 21 in so-called “free” accession , will be delivered “in the summer of 2025”, and not at the end of 2024 as initially announced.

1 The reason for the delay

The fault lies in the “economic context”, indicates Nicolas Hamm, communications director of Gironde Habitat. Business failures forced the lessor to relaunch markets. “We had to re-evaluate all the schedules. » Not an easy task in “the game of Tetris” that is played here, from one trade to another, especially in the city center. In the middle of a wealthy neighborhood, the social landlord is leading two projects entrusted to the Bordeaux architectural firm BLP: the construction of a new building and the rehabilitation of the former police station which had occupied this deaf and mute school. founded in 1785 by the Abbot de l'Épée, both being separated by a pedestrian thoroughfare.

2 Details of accommodation

On one side, two levels of underground parking with 280 spaces, 52 rental social housing units, 9 social housing units, a “social residence” for students and young workers, and commercial premises. On the other, within the walls of the former police station, 10 rental social housing units, 28 social housing units and 21 free housing units. But also a luxury hotel and a brasserie which will be housed in the former chapel. The program obviously arouses interest, not only among applicants for social housing, but also among candidates for purchase: “almost 500 people” completed the registration form posted online on the website www.projet- republic.fr. For housing and parking spaces, a rare commodity in the neighborhood.

3 The first prices revealed

Marketing will begin “in the first quarter of 2025”. The apartments to be purchased will therefore be broken down between free and social accession, that is to say real joint lease (BRS), with resource ceiling. For the first time, Gironde Habitat gives a price range for these accommodations in BRS: “a T2 from 183,000 euros” and “a T3 from 269,000 euros”. Acquisition prices “40% below the market price in Bordeaux,” continues Nicolas Hamm. “We will do everything to make this product competitive. The BRS is relevant in places where you cannot buy freely,” he defends, aware of the upset feedback from Bordeaux owners who have opted for the BRS but have to pay a property tax. In view of the expressions of interest, a draw is not excluded for these BRS. Subject to the lifting of all reservations usually noted upon receipt of a project, the allocation of social housing will take place at a later stage.

4 More than four meters under ceiling

So what do these accommodations look like? In a wing of the building, the door of a T2 opens into a huge room – 4.20 meters high ceilings, with the possibility of setting up a mezzanine. Particular care is given to the wooden frames with double glazing and blown glass. Others will overlook an interior courtyard currently being landscaped: a haven of peace in the heart of Bordeaux. In the new building, a T4 is available for viewing. This social housing available for rental has a bright view room extended by a terrace.

5 Luxury hotel: the brand unveiled in 2025

The other big piece of Castéja is the luxury hotel, still in the pipeline, and whose brand could be unveiled in the spring of 2025. The team formed with social housing may clash but, beyond financial balance of the operation, the hotel will have the main entrance, rue Castéja, and overlook interior courtyards. It will be extended by a brasserie set up in the old chapel, stripped of floors on three levels which notably housed the police HQ. Immense volumes which will make it a very attractive element. Total cost of the work: 54.8 million euros excluding taxes to which is added 3.7 million due to construction site hazards.