On 4 December, Monaco officially opened
Mareterra, a brand new district that has expanded the Principality by a
total of six hectares. Eight years in the making, the new
eco-neighbourhood is a powerful symbol of Monaco’s commitment to harmonious,
sustainable development.
it’s
not every day a country physically
grows by around 3%... Designed
as an extension of the existing coastline stretching from the Grimaldi Forum all
the way to the Formula 1 Grand Prix tunnel, Mareterra has
transformed the face of the Principality by adding six additional hectares
(just under 15 acres).
To
mark the opening of the new district, the skies were illuminated in
environmentally responsible style on 4 December, with celebrations and
entertainment including concerts, drone shows, and firework displays.
Since
5 December, members of the public have been at leisure to explore Mareterra and
admire its scale and distinctive character. Some of the district's most interesting features include the seaside Prince Jacques promenade with
its unique design and use of mineral materials, the blue cave where
visitors can learn more about how the new district was built, a quiet relaxation area for
peaceful meditation, green spaces, luxury
villas and apartments, and the Quai du Petit Portier with its marina.
The
spaces were designed to offer high levels of quality, comfort and practicality,
with some of the world’s leading architects having contributed to the project,
including Renzo
Piano, Tadao
Ando, and Lord Norman Foster. Speaking to the Financial Times, the Sovereign Prince expressed
his satisfaction and highlighted the environmentally responsible nature
of the unique development: “Mareterra embodies our era’s call for a renewed
harmony between humanity and nature. It is a project that reflects Monaco’s
enduring promise to safeguard the Mediterranean’s unique beauty and
biodiversity while addressing the needs of a modern, sustainable Principality."
图片来源:
© Frantz Bouton / Monaco-Matin - © Direction de la Communication