AN ICONIC PROJECT FOR THE SEAFRONT OF CALAIS, FRANCE, PROJECT: ARCHIPELAGO
MIPIM 2025 was an ideal opportunity for the city of Calais and a consortium led by Aire Nouvelle in partnership with the Van der Valk hotel group to showcase a new 4-star hotel and residential project designed by the Belgian firm Archipelago. Located on the Calais waterfront, the project, scheduled for completion in 2029, is part of a waterfront regeneration policy aimed at making Calais a top tourist destination on the Opal Coast.
The hotel’s streamlined, aerial form reminiscent of sails billowing in the wind pays homage to Calais’s maritime heritage while constituting a striking visual landmark. Built on a triangular plot of land, the building will blend naturally into its surroundings, linking the harbour, waterfront, Fort Risban and future developments along the western arc.
Involving an investment of around 52
million euros, this hotel and residential project stands out for its low-carbon
design, integrating innovative solutions to minimise environmental impact and
ensure high energy performance. The bioclimatic design will optimise thermal
comfort while reducing energy consumption, while the use of local bio-based
materials will promote short supply chains and the circular economy. In
addition, the project will integrate renewable energy generation, notably through
a Thalasso-thermal system that exploits the heat of seawater and photovoltaic
roofs so that the hotel and residential facilities can consume their own
energy.
