Text provided by architects.
Gare du Nord is an outstanding monument of Parisian architecture. At the same time, it ranks first in Europe in terms of passenger traffic, which is 700,000 people per day. By 2024, this number is planned to increase to 800,000. The main task of the project is to transform the station into an “urban complex”, making it a new typological model for the 21st century.
The separation of arrival and departure flows, as well as the design of the necessary areas to accommodate different types of services and activities that meet modern needs, is an opportunity to rethink the concept of the station ensemble and its connection with the city.
First of all, it is planned to organize a single entrance - an extensive loggia opening onto the station square in the eastern part of the historic building. An internal street 300 m long will start from there, which will receive glass ceilings. This light-flooded space permeates a new part of the building, guides passengers to the departure platforms of trains of all directions, and also leads to new functions: shopping, cultural, sports, as well as coworking. It is planned to increase the existing area fivefold.
The goal of the project is to make the station open to the city and move from the concept of a station in the city to the concept of a city in the station.
The upper levels will form wooden pavilions in the middle of the garden, which serves as a roof for the entire structure; there are sports facilities (including a one-kilometer jogging track) and restaurants with superb views of Montmartre.
Much attention in the project is paid to the connection between city transport and the station: it is planned to redesign the bus station, organize a large bicycle parking and, most importantly, make the access to the metro more convenient.
The design decisions were dictated by respect for the historical heritage. The inner facade of the large hall, designed by J.-I. Gittorf in the 19th century, will be restored to its original form and will welcome passengers from major European destinations.
Squares:
North Station now: 36,000 m2
North Station in 2024: 110,000 m2
Projected areas for trade and services: 50,000 m2, of which:
37% - trade
27% - catering
11% - coworking spaces
8% - sports facilities
5% - culture
Visitors: 2.5x magnification
Elevators and escalators: 2.5x magnification
Green areas: 7,700 m2
Solar panels: 3200 m2
Bicycle parking: 1200 places
Passenger traffic:
Today: 700,000 passengers per day
2024: 800,000 passengers per day
2030: 900,000 passengers per day
Increase in passenger traffic across the English Channel by 50%
