First Glimpses of the new Nice Stadium

Work began on the multimillion euro construction in August 2011 and the structure is already almost complete. It was billed as an ecological piece of architecture and lives up to its reputation as an experimental work of art, nestled between rolling hills on the Var valley floor, with the Mediterranean Sea to the south and the Alps to the north. The stadium is well on its way to becoming the heart of the soon-to-be Eco Valley.  

The design is innovative and challenging, using rainwater for irrigation and the sun to power the neighbouring National Museum of Sport and onsite shopping facilities. The project is the first of its kind to attempt such an ecologically motivated approach and Estrosi hopes that the development will “elevate Nice’s status as a destination”, both in sport and tourism. 

Created by Jean-Michel Wilmotte, the exterior of the building has been designed to act as a “breathing wall”, naturally ventilating and cooling the inside space. The three dimensional wooden shell will create an atmosphere all by itself, casting shadows and patterns on the pitch below.

Puel, who signed a contract confirming his new position as the OGC Nice manager late last night, walked out onto the field area with a smile on his face as Estrosi leaned in and said, “Just imagine the first ever game!” As well as providing the Nice football team with a modern ground to play on and leading the way for environmental developments in the region, the stadium will also inject an economic benefit into the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis – some 500 jobs. 

Transport in the region is set to receive an update with work on the tramway and over 1,300 parking spaces also in motion. Existing parking facilities in the nearby Palais Nikaïa will also help support travel to and from the stadium with the addition of a shuttle system transporting people between the two leisure hubs. 

Elsa Carpenter