La Vache Noire

About this mall

La Vache Noire is the first big shopping centre in France that is not anchored by a Hypermarket. It is the first large multi-use shopping centre in France where residential, offices, shopping and leisure are mixed and woven into the urban fabric. Multi’s sustainable solution to design public space in the form of a 1.5-hectare park, on the top of the shopping centre, introduces human scale to the project and makes connection to the surrounding urban area.
The La Vache Noire shopping centre is part of the major multifunctional inner-city regeneration project of the Parisian region called Les Portes d’Arcueil (14 hectares) that represents one of the most important economic projects in the Ile de France.
Emblem of the new generation of shopping centers, la Vache Noire, built on a former brownfield urban heart of the city, displays its strong mix, as urban and environmental concerns. The mall offers 120 well known brands such as Flunch, Monoprix, Darty, Stradivarius, Zara as well as a huge rooftop garden.

Description of the location and accessibility

Public transport: RER B Laplace or Métro 4 Porte d’Orléans.

Features mall architecture

The roof of the project consists of a 1.5-hectare public park, providing an attractive outdoor setting in the heart of urban Arcueil. At the side, where the park is raised, an eye-catching glass entrance, supported by impressive V-shaped columns forms a landmark for the project. There is ample daylight in the shopping centre through glass walkways in the park, a glass pavilion and other glass features. 8-Meter high objects d’art in the park hide the projects technical air ventilation systems. 80 Terrace-shaped apartments have a panoramic view on the park. The project was named after the nearby famous so-called crossroad of La Vache Noire in Arcueil, where 57,000 cars pass everyday.
T+T Design, Multi’s in-house architects were responsible for the urban planning and the architectural concept for La Vache Noire. Architects involved were Dusapin & Leclercq and Groupe 6 Architects.

Planning

The shopping centre offers 44,000 m² light shopping space on 2 full levels of retail (-1 and 0). Above this two half levels (low level is slightly sunken), are dedicated to gastronomy and jardinerie, with direct access to the park. Underneath is a parking garage for 1, 800 cars on 2.5 levels.
The northern part of the project is dominated by a housing program of eight floors opening onto the garden. Its volume is designed in the shape of terraces with large open terraces to the south and overlooking the Public Garden.

Project Cost

200 mln eur