Number 1 technology hub of Europe, launched in 1969 by the senator Pierre Lafitte with the idea of creating a “Latin Quarter of domains” and a cross-fertilisation between research, higher education and industry, Sophia-Antipolis is just about to celebrate its 50th birthday.
Its 2,400 hectares are spread across the Antibes, Biot, Vallauris, Valbonne and Mougins regions, 20 minutes from the number 2 national airport (13 million annual passengers). Sophia Antipolis is home to 2,230 establishments and 36,300 employees that generate €5.6 billion in turnover.
The area of Sophia Antipolis (CASA) specialises in urbanization, transport and environment and economic, cultural and sport development. The combined union of Sophia Antipolis (SYMISA) is, itself, in charge of administration, financial management, and determines the development policy of Sophia Antipolis.
Although discrete in its marketing, the dynamism of Sophia-Antipolis is remarkable: the net positive balance is 1,000 jobs per year, and half of the companies are less than 10 years old. Its endogenous growth is strong, Sophia is the top choice for start-ups and fundraising, its human skills are also another of its strengths. The incubators, nurseries and other developers, public and private, are numerous: shown by the 42,000m2 of offices that found takers in 2018, a record year since 2000!
ICT, artificial intelligence, connected vehicles, but also health and chemistry, earth sciences, energy, teaching and research are at the heart of Sophia-Antipolis' skills, with a quarter of all establishments, and two thirds of jobs and turnover.
Sophia is very international: nearly 200 foreign-owned companies employ 10,000 people, or one-third of all jobs.
Amongst the major companies: Amadeus (5,500 persons), Thales, Orange R&D and Orange Business Service, SAP, Luxottica, Air France, ARMM, Sopra Steria, Alten, SII, Cap Gemini, Micromania (née à Sophia-Antipolis), Renault Labs, Bosch, Toyota and Mercedes (European Centre of design). But also l’INRIA, le CNRS, l’Ademe, la Maison du Cœur…
With 5,000 students and researchers, variety, high level, and the international nature of secondary and higher education provides an essential resource pool to businesses and executives. What’s more, for those who don’t already know, the natural surroundings and the work environment are completely outstanding… without mentioning the climate!
The commercial real estate portfolio represents 1.2 million m² out of an estimated total potential of 2 million m2 of building space. 36,000 m2 are available in less than 12 months, and new office projects are trying to meet demand. To be carried out:
In 2019/2020:
- Sky Sophia : 5 600 m2 rented to Sopra Steria, 4 000 m2 office space to rent
- Garden Space : 8 000 m2 office space to rent, in 3 energy positive buildings
- Le Fairway : 4 buildings totalling 5,000m2 of office space to rent
- ArteParc : a 2,200m2 office building to rent
- Le Centrium : 13,000 m2, of which 10,000 m2 is office space to rent, two restaurants, one which is a business restaurant and a gym.
2 Projects will follow :
- Open Sky in Valbonne, open air shopping mall home to 20,000m2 of rentable office space overlooking the water plains,
- Ecotone, a revolutionary 30,000 m2 project of offices designed by Jean Nouvel that will mark Xavier Niel's arrival in Sophia-Antipolis.
Experts in the Sophia-Antipolis real estate market, with more than 30 years of experience in this exceptional region, we would be happy to make enquiries for you and support you in your future endeavours.
Don’t hesitate to contact us!
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