After Paris' tallest skyscraper was built in 1973, a wave of discontent rapidly took over the French capital in reaction to what is still considered a monstrosity by most Parisians and visitors. The backlash caused by the modernist dark-brown-tinted Tour Montparnasse, which stands more than 210 metres above the city's Haussmannian streets, resulted in the implementation of new height regulations in 1978, banning the construction of structures taller than seven floors within the city limits. However, due to the city's growing population and high real estate prices, those measures were abandoned in 2010. Nowadays, residential buildings can reach a height of 50 metres, while commercial buildings are allowed to go as high as 180 metres.

Rendering of the Palais de Justice, image via Renzo Piano Building Workshop

Several highrise development applications have since been submitted and approved by the city's planning department. Currently under construction on the northeastern edge of the city, the new Palais de Justice designed by Italian architecture firm Renzo Piano Building Workshop is making its way toward its final height of 38 floors and 160 metres above ground level. The tower's total surface of 120,000 squared metres makes it the largest building under construction in France at the moment, with more than 700 construction workers shaping one concrete floor every five days.

The Palais de Justice under construction in late February, image by Forum contributor Vincent !

Part of a larger plan for the revitalization of the Clichy-Batignolles neighbourhood, the structure developed by the Etablissement Public du Palais de Justice de Paris will consist of four stacked blocks decreasing in size as they ascend. While only one of these blocks has been constructed so far, the picture above gives a sense of the large floor plates designed to accommodate an average of 9,000 people on a daily basis. The ample setbacks offered by the € 2.4 billion structure will form a series of outdoor landscaped areas accessible to the public, totaling one hectare.

The Palais de Justice under construction in late February, image by Forum contributor Vincent !

While the concrete core recently reached its final height, work is now underway on the edifice's second block. By the end of the month, the first floor-to-ceiling glass panels forming the facade will be installed and allow for work on the interior finishes to begin. The project also includes several environmental features, such as solar panels covering part of the building's energy consumption, enhanced thermal insulation, a rainwater collection system, and a natural ventilation system.

The Palais de Justice on the Paris Skyline, image by Forum contributor Vincent !

The new Paris Courthouse is scheduled for delivery on June 30, 2017. In the meantime, additional images and information about the project can be found in the Database file linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum thread or leave a comment at the bottom of this page.