PARIS— Ivanhoé Cambridge's two-tower Tours DUO office project has gotten a construction permit from Paris City Hall. The Montreal-based real estate subsidiary of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec is developer and sole investor in the Jean Nouvel-designed project; Hines is associate developer.

“Both because they are the work of one of France's greatest living architects and because they meet a well-thought-out and concerted urban vision, the Tours DUO will add their mark to Paris' status, which makes us very proud,” saysIvanhoé Cambridge EVP Meka Brunel. “Through this achievement, the Tours DUO will become a top business real estate destination in the capital.”
Located alongside railway tracks in Paris' 13th arrondissement, Tours DUO is part of the redevelopment of a former industrial area within the ZAC Paris Rive Gauche master plan. Ivanhoé likens it to two other projects it has undertaken in partnership with Hines: River Point in Chicago and Bay Park Centre in Toronto, both also built over railway tracks.

The two towers, which measure 590 feet and 400 feet in height, are expected to be ready in 2020, says Ivanhoé. They are already more than 50% pre-leased.