[Minato Ku]

Work has started on the refurbishment and heightening of the old AXA Tower (159m/522ft) due to be turned into a 240m/787ft skyscraper with a different design and different cladding.

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/7996/axaxe3.jpg

Some pictures of the old AXA Tower:

http://img472.imageshack.us/img472/2705/copiedeganaxa0zu.jpg

http://www.defense-92.fr/photos/ph373.JPG

http://irgendwo.free.fr/axa/k.jpg

To be replaced by:

New Axa Tower
56 floors
Height: 240m (780 ft) with spire, roof height 225.11m (738.5 ft)
Floor space: 86,707.1 m² (933,307.5 sq. ft)
Architects: Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates / SRA Architects
Developer: SCI Vendôme Assur
Due to be completed and opened: end of 2009-beginning of 2010

http://www.newcityskyline.com/Tour_Phare_aka_Tour_Signal_1_.JPG

http://www.cogedim-entreprise.com/img/encours_gm/TOUR-CB31.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/35/117177822_3324c261c2_o.jpg

http://www.cyberarchi.com/images/articles/2244_09_z.jpg

http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/5568/diapositive22mf.jpg

http://img123.imageshack.us/img123/2324/axa21fp7.jpg

New Axa Tower in a model of La Défense (Generali and Air² towers are missing):

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/7769/dsc00918sy5.jpg

New Axa Tower to the right, Generali and Air² are shown:

http://www.defense-92.fr/photos/ph2340.jpg

Now to the left:

http://grrroux.free.fr/misc/new_aurore2.JPG

The entrance:

http://www.defense-92.fr/photos/axarendu5.jpg

http://www.defense-92.fr/photos/axarendu6.jpg

http://www.defense-92.fr/photos/axarendu7.jpg

Inside the tower:

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/1234/axa22uk1.jpg

[Minato Ku]

http://moiangelius.free.fr/data/defense/axa.jpg

http://www.defense-92.fr/photos/axaplan1.jpg

http://www.defense-92.fr/photos/axaplan6.jpg

http://www.defense-92.fr/photos/axaplan5.jpg

http://www.defense-92.fr/photos/axaplan3.jpg

http://www.defense-92.fr/photos/axaplan2.jpg

http://www.defense-92.fr/photos/axaplan7.jpg

Construction picture

http://www.defense-92.fr/photos/ph2431.jpg
http://www.defense-92.fr/photos/ph2432.jpg
http://www.defense-92.fr/photos/PH2458.jpg
http://www.defense-92.fr/photos/ph2459.jpg
http://www.defense-92.fr/photos/ph2461.jpg
http://www.defense-92.fr/photos/Ph2487.jpg

http://pix.nofrag.com/0b/12/d582ca09e2ddb38216413e6d0c30.jpg
http://pix.nofrag.com/58/0c/68e5f8b1539393fb0a4ffd0c5566.jpg

:tup:

[DUBAI2015]

Wow, kind of like the Verizon building in NYC but on a WAAAAAAAYYYYY bigger scale.

[Fabb]

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/4840/dsc00429vk3.jpg

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/5214/dsc00438qj5.jpg

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/6654/dsc00435qb5.jpg

[korzym]

Vive la révolution!

[Fabb]

Right.
A spire in La Défense will be a revolution.
A long awaited revolution.

[VivaLFuego]

This is an incredible project, can't wait to see how the finished product looks.

[atl2phx]

incredible refurb!

[andydie]

Different to the old Verizon this one really looks better refurbished:)

[L.ARCH]

C'est increable... Probably the best remodeling job I've ever seen on a skyscraper.

[iznogud]

Wow they are really changing it! I like the design at the roof

[hi123]

Wow , the french know how to build great things!!!"vive la france":tup:

[2taall]

It's pretty amazing how portions of the original building will be cut away and others extended to make a completely new design. The sprire, along with the curves, will really compliment the boxy La Defence skyline- though I am one who doesn't see the boxy skyline as bad. Most of the buildings in La Defence may be boxy, but their curtain walls seem to a have a refined high quality look, so personally I think La Defence has great quality architecture.

[Sinha]

Update:

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/58/1002572hn6.jpg

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/8683/1002573qk1.jpg

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/3812/1002574ic7.jpg

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/465/1002577pz3.jpg

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/3947/1002578nb8.jpg

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/3166/1002579dy5.jpg

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/3472/1002582qj6.jpg

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/8812/1002583vi6.jpg

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/8067/1002584zd5.jpg

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/4084/1002589az2.jpg

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/6305/1002591va9.jpg

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/4539/1002599ld3.jpg

[Fabb]

About a year ago, the building was being vacated. The transformation process is taking a lot of time...

[Fabb]

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/5647/sketchup5pt0.jpg

posted by oliv75012 @PSS

[Sinha]

by tourgan92082

http://nsa01.casimages.com/img/2008/02/21/0802210432462400263.jpg

http://nsa01.casimages.com/img/2008/02/21/0802210431242400251.jpg

http://nsa01.casimages.com/img/2008/02/21/0802210425252400184.jpg

by tomtom
http://rechauffementplanete.free.fr/axa.jpg

[Fabb]

http://www.defense-92.fr/photos/ph3695.jpg

Silvio823

[chex]

very nice pic! cheers...

[Sinha]

Update

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/8330/1000579zt2.jpg

http://img108.imageshack.us/img108/1607/1000652fz0.jpg

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/7710/1000662jh6.jpg

http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/9151/1000665my1.jpg

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/9265/1000666eg1.jpg

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/7975/1000671js5.jpg

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/2650/1000672lq7.jpg

http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/2526/1000673im0.jpg

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/7379/1000675ty3.jpg

[skellergroup]

Paris is such an amazing place. I'm dying to get there.
This building though doesn't feel like it is an exact fit.

[Fabb]

New rendering

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2265/2498461485_f348e5af99_o.jpg

[Fabb]

Photos, martialcity :

http://perso.orange.fr/martial.gratte-ciel/CB3124.jpg

http://perso.orange.fr/martial.gratte-ciel/CB3123.jpg

[samoen313]

While I'm all for the reconstruction of Axa, I have to say I actually really liked the old Axa too. The cladding was so unique and subdued and there seemed something Gothic about the overall building. I will miss it, but not that much.

[skirwin1]

i dont like this at all. the old building was of its time and a neat high quality building as well. its real shame. i wish they had left it how it was

[Aleks]

It was of i's time not on time. I like it. The spire really looks cool and whenever I saw the diagrams I never really got the shape but now I do.

Wow, looks great. I love the way the facade changes shades of blue. Tour Gan, Tour AXA, any other towers doing the same thing in Paris?

[Fabb]

June 22nd

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/6595/dsc00105mr8.jpg

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/8827/dsc00106um4.jpg

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/5086/dsc00107xz7.jpg

http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/6302/dsc00110fw8.jpg

http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/3198/dsc00108ie0.jpg

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/7995/dsc00109dm9.jpg

[Fabb]

http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/198/dsc00120md7.jpg

[Fabb]

July 15

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/2751/dsc00204vw1.jpg

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/130/dsc00201ex5.jpg

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/6623/dsc00200so3.jpg

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/3679/dsc00199ky5.jpg

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/1453/dsc00198fk9.jpg

[Minato Ku]

I through that they would entirely decladd the building before doing this.
I was wrong, but we clearly see that it goes faster since july.

[Fabb]

But it's hard to tell if it's already going up.

[Aleks]

Is the reclap the part where the red elevator is next to the crane? What about the sides? Are they going to cover it up or are they going to make holes for windows?

[Fabb]

Are they going to cover it up or are they going to make holes for windows?

I think that windows will be all over the facade.

[Sinha]

update:

http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/4784/1001673yf3.jpg

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/486/1001674dw5.jpg

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/7296/1001679xx5.jpg

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/8328/1001681wd0.jpg

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/6697/1001685ze8.jpg

http://img353.imageshack.us/img353/8489/1001686th1.jpg

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/1189/1001689uu9.jpg

http://img128.imageshack.us/img128/6971/1001692pp0.jpg

http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/3227/1001697et3.jpg

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/6871/1001786rv2.jpg

http://img239.imageshack.us/img239/1529/1001901jb2.jpg

[Fabb]

With the south wing chopped off, the building is already less squat and massive.

[Sinha]

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/1994/1002088xd7.jpg

http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/8900/1002120lg5.jpg

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/6042/1002152eh2.jpg

http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/2010/1002155px9.jpg

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/7823/1002172js2.jpg

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/2280/1002176mv9.jpg

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/1791/1002232av7.jpg

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/953/1002233jq9.jpg

[Sinha]

Update:
http://shutter09.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/27/001/6D/9F/F3/B3/C6sjhLd5jtfJkz-cPptBzUAcGyY8HvU10300.jpg

http://shutter05.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/17/001/76/FE/06/E0/yD8qK8TsPCP4fJW0qsnIea963bC7H95w0300.jpg

http://shutter02.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/22/004/6A/FF/78/D5/pIGK3e8NswnKHJr1znHBinx7x6FwqKyg0300.jpg

http://shutter01.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/23/007/3B/FF/F0/21/NSAgcKtIDfNAJ3YKTiXssVWtJNUO3i110300.jpg

http://shutter01.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/23/005/4F/EF/58/5E/YWNinL4IGrX-+OKeP0neNPoiNXAOvgqU0300.jpg

http://shutter02.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/18/004/7F/DB/5D/33/vlS5Y9Iv5s8hxZuaIeic9DPfuKWB6+Ix0300.jpg

http://shutter01.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/19/003/4F/EB/1E/AD/tnQS9ZxBAw65YDiVxl1CZSg4f8CBJW2r0300.jpg

http://shutter01.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/21/003/7B/FF/D5/85/pkC8l1lRUrnnRGhzdFBtkdQBD+mJDZ2D0300.jpg

http://shutter05.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/14/001/5F/DA/97/68/66+dfNWUH3JlLoc2fXRWyTZ1cJHUOA9M0300.jpg

http://shutter04.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/21/007/6F/7D/AF/79/BTBZpFk8ctI+V23P7oSM+TybyN5O83S70300.jpg

http://shutter02.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/16/003/7B/EF/80/79/7dLNrwX62xT-gXrOLx8S0uDrWtaIQ1Gx0300.jpg

http://shutter02.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/16/006/7F/BA/79/D2/jccFNl1W1Abj85kX-V2LT90gz+vzwWSS0300.jpg

[Fabb]

Oct 4 :

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/3220/dscn5145pz4.jpg

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/6907/dscn5146ow7.jpg

[Patrick]

Wow this is happening so fast, I was against it but I'll just have to wait, it looks pretty good so far, but I will dearly miss the original design :(

[Sinha]

1
http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/8501/1003726hd8.jpg
2
http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/2223/1003737at2.jpgµ
3
http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/5067/1003745vs0.jpg
4
http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/1110/1003749uz6.jpg
5
http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/1893/1003755gf6.jpg
6
http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/8791/1003766sz5.jpg
7
http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/9119/1003786ct6.jpg
8
http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/5116/1003790dj7.jpg
9
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/7021/1003792cy0.jpg
10
http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/4908/1003801gs8.jpg

[Sinha]

11
http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/9646/1003803zv1.jpg
12
http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/9310/1003804di0.jpg
13
http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/3159/1003806vi3.jpg
14
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/5141/1003808gj2.jpg
15
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/5645/1003811bx1.jpg
16
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/3347/1003816de8.jpg
17
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/9031/1003824cm3.jpg
18
http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/5844/1003845dk0.jpg
19
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/5447/1003818ui1.jpg

[Thymant]

Very interesting project.

[Patrick]

Any updates!?

[Paris-New York City]

Unfortunately, I read in the "20 minutes" that the extension is canceled or at least on hold. By the way, here are some pictures of the "La Défense" skyline and the AXA tower on the left:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3641/3407480717_6b4d1a28fb.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3585/3408288202_d8c59a02ec.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3575/3407482393_af3549b587.jpg?v=0

[Jonovision]

So are they continuing with the renovation or is the entire project now in limbo?!

[Paris-New York City]

I think they will continue with the renovation and recclading, but they will not add higher floors as previously planned.

[Fabb]

April 1st :

http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/93/dscn6793.jpg

http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/7299/dscn6792.jpg

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/360/dscn6795.jpg

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/7740/dscn6796.jpg

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/2881/dscn6797.jpg

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/4118/dscn6798.jpg

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/7507/dscn6799.jpg

[Sinha]

1
http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/1057/1003928a.jpg
2
http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/9518/1003938f.jpg
3
http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/4936/1003940.jpg
4
http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/2530/1003943.jpg
5
http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/8416/1003944.jpg
6
http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/5052/1003947l.jpg
7
http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/5653/1003949.jpg
8
http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/7868/1003950.jpg
9
http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/3135/1003951.jpg
10
http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/2332/1003954.jpg
11
http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/9833/1003957.jpg

[Aleks]

La Defense is one of my favorite business centers in the world. I love this tower too.

[Sinha]

1
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/3034/1004396f.jpg
2
http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/6445/1004401.jpg
3
http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/77/1004411.jpg
4
http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/5108/1004438.jpg
5
http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/8428/1004441.jpg
6
http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/6285/1004442.jpg

[Sinha]

7
http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/9175/1004449.jpg
8
http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/5646/1004443y.jpg
9
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/8742/1004446k.jpg
10
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/126/1004447o.jpg
11
http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/1701/1004450v.jpg
12
http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/8237/1004452p.jpg

[Sinha]

13
http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/1104/1004462u.jpg
14
http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/6493/1004464.jpg
15
http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/7466/1004465.jpg
16
http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/7449/1004468.jpg
17
http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/3528/1004472.jpg
18
http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/6338/1004476.jpg

[Sinha]

19
http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/6899/1004486.jpg
20
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/7163/1004487.jpg
21
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/2865/1004491.jpg
22
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/1786/1004496.jpg

[J_M_Tungsten]

Excellent way of giving an older building that 21st century look with out starting from scratch. I think this is a great idea for older and aging buildings around the world.

[Jonovision]

Great update! I was wondering what had been going on.
The new cladding looks great!

[americanskyscraper22]

great pics :) reminds me of the bishopgate in london

[pattali]

Didn't see you Sinha , my little contribution from yesterday :

http://mathias.attali.free.fr/bldg/paris/paristof/P101.jpg

http://mathias.attali.free.fr/bldg/paris/paristof/P102.jpg

http://mathias.attali.free.fr/bldg/paris/paristof/P103.jpg

http://mathias.attali.free.fr/bldg/paris/paristof/P104.jpg

http://mathias.attali.free.fr/bldg/paris/paristof/P1010409.jpg

http://mathias.attali.free.fr/bldg/paris/paristof/P1010413.jpg


http://mathias.attali.free.fr/bldg/paris/paristof/P1010411.jpg


http://mathias.attali.free.fr/bldg/paris/paristof/P1010412.jpg


http://mathias.attali.free.fr/bldg/paris/paristof/P1010414.jpg


http://mathias.attali.free.fr/bldg/paris/paristof/P1010415.jpg


http://mathias.attali.free.fr/bldg/paris/paristof/P1010416.jpg


http://mathias.attali.free.fr/bldg/paris/paristof/P1010417.jpg


http://mathias.attali.free.fr/bldg/paris/paristof/P1010418.jpg


http://mathias.attali.free.fr/bldg/paris/paristof/P1010419.jpg

[pattali]

more ...

A french worker :yes:
http://mathias.attali.free.fr/bldg/paris/paristof/P1010420.jpg

http://mathias.attali.free.fr/bldg/paris/paristof/P1010421.jpg

http://mathias.attali.free.fr/bldg/paris/paristof/P1010422.jpg

http://mathias.attali.free.fr/bldg/paris/paristof/P1010427.jpg

http://mathias.attali.free.fr/bldg/paris/paristof/P1010425.jpg

http://mathias.attali.free.fr/bldg/paris/paristof/P1010426.jpg

http://mathias.attali.free.fr/bldg/paris/paristof/P1010438.jpg

http://mathias.attali.free.fr/bldg/paris/paristof/P1010440.jpg

[chex]

cladding looks nice...

[Busy Bee]

OOO that curved glass is so sexy!!!

[wrabbit]

^ I'll second that. Beautiful glass.

[pattali]

More from today taken from L'Arc de Triomphe - Place de l'etoile
Global view of La defense
http://mathias.attali.free.fr/bldg/paris/paristof/P1010532-small.JPG
http://mathias.attali.free.fr/bldg/paris/paristof/P1010534-small.JPG
New AXA tower / CB31 tower
http://mathias.attali.free.fr/bldg/paris/paristof/P1010518-small.JPG

Bonus from l'Arc de Triomphe
south panorama
http://mathias.attali.free.fr/bldg/paris/paristof/P1010476-small.JPG

Tour Maine-Montparnasse - Golden roof is Les Invalides
http://mathias.attali.free.fr/bldg/paris/paristof/P1010480-small.JPG

Montmartre / Sacre Coeur ENJOY ...

http://mathias.attali.free.fr/bldg/paris/paristof/P1010486-small.JPG

[frozhalf]

A picture of Axa Tower (aka First Tower or CB31) taken yesterday morning from my car

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/4718/cb31001.jpg

[americanskyscraper22]

nice pic frozhaf :)

[frozhalf]

I went inside the First Tower today (I am working for the company who build this tower).

Some pictures I have taken of the tower, and of the view from the 49th floor (still growing up but near the top)

A great visit !


http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/6892/dsc01998j.jpg

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/1504/dsc01999x.jpg

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/8260/dsc02008n.jpg

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/1841/dsc02009e.jpg

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/6813/dsc02010n.jpg

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/8450/cb31photo012.jpg


The View of the skyline of LA DEFENSE =>

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/3057/cb31photo009.jpg

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/129/cb31photo010.jpg


Gan Tower (under renovation) =>

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/2733/dsc02003f.jpg


The View of Paris =>

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/121/cb31photo013.jpg

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/1953/cb31photo011.jpg

[Sinha]

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/1531/1004645u.jpg

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/9279/1004647g.jpg

[benoi]

do you know the exact height of first tower now ? 190 meters or more ? how much days to finish the structure on the top ? one month or more ? thanks !

[Metropolitan]

Here's a new aerial which pictures well the tower in its environment.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2499/3901051242_e0cb47a537_b.jpg

[frozhalf]

the concrete structure is topped out !!

http://www.defense-92.com/photos/ph6644.jpg

[frozhalf]

Taken yesterday from www.defense-92.com

http://www.defense-92.com/photos/ph7023.jpg

[frozhalf]

A new picture taken yesterday from www.defense-92.fr http://www.defense-92.com/photos/ph7056.jpg

No activity yesterday due to 300 paperless migrant on the site making a demonstration

Only 1 day without activity

[frozhalf]

A good link to see the past 2 years of the construction

http://www.ladefense-seine-arche.fr/first.html


And some amazing pictures from steph35 on www.paris-skyscrapers.fr

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad5/unpieton2/01.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad5/unpieton2/02.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad5/unpieton2/04.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad5/unpieton2/03.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad5/unpieton2/05.jpg

[tommaso]

This building adds some fiery hot sauce to the already flavorsome curried Paris Financial District!

[Sinha]

http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/9664/1005274.jpg

http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/3280/1005284.jpg

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/5362/1005298.jpg

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/9534/1005302.jpg

[frozhalf]

14th February

Fantastic pictures from Steph 35 on Paris Skyscrapers
http://www.paris-skyscrapers.fr/forum/viewtopic.php?id=28246&p=81


http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu358/unpieton/paris/01-1.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu358/unpieton/paris/02-1.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu358/unpieton/paris/03-1.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu358/unpieton/paris/04-1.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu358/unpieton/paris/05-1.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu358/unpieton/paris/06.jpg