Herzog & de Meuron's controversial Triangle Tower in Paris has been approved by the Administrative Court of Paris, released in a press statement on May 6, 2019. The 41-storey tower, located in the Porte de Versailles site in in Paris' 15th arrondissement, was a speculative project since it was revealed first in 2008. 

The 180-metre Triangle Tower was fiercely criticized by the residents since it would create a "devastating" effect and "block" the city skyline, which was described as "irrelevant with the context". Architecture historian William J. R. Curtis evaluated Herzog & de Meuron's "Triangle Tower" "as irrelevant extravaganza leading to the destruction of collective memory and urbanity" in The Architectural Review in May 2015. 

The project was first rejected in late 2014, after some subsequent revisions on the building, the tower was approved by the Council of Paris in 2015. 

Now in a press statement by the Administrative Court of Paris, it was said that "the court ruled that the building permit for the Triangle Tower is not unlawful." 

"Finally, the Mayor of Paris did not commit a manifest error of assessment in considering that the Triangle Tower project is not likely to affect the character or the interest of the neighboring places and the monumental perspectives," said the court decision.

French planning rules were not allowing the construction of towers over 100 meters for office blocks since the 210-meter Montparnasse tower was built in 1973. 

But in 2011, with the amendment of the planning rule, the new law allowed the construction of residential towers measuring up to 50 metres and office blocks up to 180 metres.

When Herzog & de Meuron's Triangle Tower is completed, it will become Paris' third tallest building after the 324-metre Eiffel Tower and the 210-metre Montparnasse Tower, the last building over 100 metres to be built in the French capital.

The Triangle Tower will contain a 120-room four-star hotel, co-working office space and cultural facilities. Situated along the avenue, the project is located at the heart of the Parc des Expositions site, setback from the surrounding residential areas. The building’s trapezoidal footprint is generated by rotating the north and south axis from the rectangular plot to create a dynamic setback from the peripheral boulevard to the south and from the Palais des Sport to the north. 

"The volume also takes into account the impact of a high building on its environment. Its triangular shape reduces casting shadows on adjacent residential buildings. The environmental approach of the project is also perceptible in its simple, compact volume, which limits its ground impact," said Herzog & de Meuron.

"This dialogue with the urban context is not limited to its silhouette and its location on the site, but also defines the internal organisation and texture of the project."

After approval, construction of the tower is now expected to commence late 2019 to be in line for completion for the Olympic Games in 2024.

All images © Herzog & de Meuron

> via Administrative Court of Paris