Since May of this year, French fort of Issy-les-Moulineaux in the Paris suburb is a residential area. A formidable XIX century fortress, located in the department of Hauts-de-Seine (Ile-de-France), now flaunts its Esplanade du Belvédère or "Blossom alley." At present, 1,100 flats are ready of the planned 1,623, 300 of which will be social housing. The remaining part is in the final stage of construction and will be operational in the period between September and January 2014, reports ee24.com referring to the French media.
Within six months, 18 new buildings will become the new home for 3,600 people. Also, there will be 1,500 square meters of retail space. Between 2008 and 2010, the cost of housing in the new area ranged from €6,000 to €7,000 per sq.m., which is comparable with the prices of real estate in Paris. Some of the apartments in Issy-les-Moulineaux were sold even cheaper than the original price. Thus, the 3-bedroom apartment of 72 sq.m., which evaluation price was €520,000 was sold for €500,000.
The new area is built with the latest technologies and meets the most stringent environmental regulations. Houses are provided with automated garbage collection systems and heated by geothermal energy. "Eco-city" occupies 12 hectares.
The district will have 500 fruit trees, 6000 shrubs, 1.8 hectares of parks and 1.2 miles of hiking paths. In September 2013 the clinic and two schools were opened. A cultural center and a sports complex with a swimming pool will also be built.
In areas of the French capital, surrounding the new "Ekograd", prices are very different. If in the hills near Hauts d 'Issy square meter costs about €4,500, than in a valley near the subway the cost of housing rises to €6,500 - €8,000.