The Amazing Hermitage Plaza At La Défense Is Finally Ready To Be Built

Press release

“On the 24th of June, the Administrative Court of Cergy-Pontoise rejected all the appeals against the
building permits of the Hermitage Plaza towers…Since we announced our intention to build the towers with Norman Foster, (2009-2010?) one of the world’s leading architects, we had to face a fierce and vindictive opposition that initiated numerous appeals. In the end, fortunately, the law prevails.” – Emin Iskenderov

This sturcture which will be the largest mixed use building in Europe is a joint venture between Russia and France. It will create 5,000 jobs during its construction and 3,000 direct jobs for its operation. The towers will be best-in-class in terms of technical efficiency and sustainable development.

Some of the most powerful people on the planet were behind this project.

Yet it still took 5 plus years to get it green lit.

That’s why France is considered THE most transparent real estate market in the world.

No matter who you are you can’t just throw money around and expect to get things done.

You have to accept this is the way the French do things.

You have to deal with the burearcracy, go through the motions and be patient and persistent.

It’s the only way to make things happen. They’ve been around for thousands and thousands of years.

As for your time schedule?

Guess what? No matter who you are, you can wait.

Welcome to France!

The Secrets of Color – How Many Do You See?

Are You a Dich, Trich, Tetrachromat?

We’ve all heard of color blindness. Well, did you know that some people simply just see more color than others?

We know today that this phenomenon of heightened color awareness is directly related to color receptors or ‘cones’ in the eye. The simple secret is the more cones you have the more color you see.

Check out this article and see where you rank in the hierarchy of color chromatic consciousness!

Color – The Early Days

History tells us that for thousands of years humans have sought ways to make their garments and surroundings more aesthetically pleasing; more colorful.

Greek philosophers Democritus and Aristotle and Roman writers Pliny the Elder and Vitruvius recorded recipes to create fabric dyes from plants and animals.

Ancient Egyptians used color for ailments. There are lists on papyrus dating back to 1550 BC of color “cures”.

The Chinese also apparently practiced Color Healing. The Nei/ching, 2000 years old, records color diagnoses.

Color – In Science and Philosophy

Early studies about light were done by Aristotle. He discovered when a yellow and blue piece of glass was brought together a third color green was produced. He also discovered that light travels in waves.  Plato and Pythagoras also studied color and light.

During the Middle Ages, Paracelsus reintroduced the knowledge and philosophy of color using the power of the color rays for healing along with music and herbs.

Issac Newton was pioneer on the frontier of color. In 1672, he published his first, controversial paper on color, and forty years later, his work ‘Opticks‘. Newton observed when sunlight passed through a prism out the other end came seven different colors: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo and Violet. This effect of white light spreading into rays he called ‘dispersion’ and named the different colored rays the color ‘spectrum’. Newton concluded that white light was made up of seven different colored rays.

Color – Today

Businesses are accepting that their employees may work better given a certain environment.

Hospitals are also becoming aware of the effect that the color around them can have on patients.

Paint companies have introduced new color cards with the therapeutic aspects of color in mind.

Cosmetic companies too have ‘colour therapy’ ranges included in their products.

Color which is all around us in nature has a great deal to offer and invites our continued exploration.

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Peaceful, quiet walks and detours to enjoy in Paris

La Petite Ceinture

Time Out Paris guides you through the colorful streets of Paris in Spring. They offer ideas or proposals for peaceful, quiet walks and detours for you to enjoy. Click here for the complete article and slideshows or below for more info on each site.

•L’île aux Cygnes, 15e

• Square de la Butte du Chapeau Rouge, 19e

• La Petite Ceinture, 15e

•Promenade autour de l’église orthodoxe Saint-Serge, 19e

• Square Montsouris, 14e

• Rue Crémieux, 12e

• Villa Léandre, 18e

• De la villa de l’Ermitage à la rue Laurence Savart, 20e

• Rue des Thermopyles, 14e

From Snore to Sensational – Bring a Touch of Magic to Your Bathroom Shower

One can argue very few would find the above video interesting. Only the true construction aficionado would be captivated.

Enter the following article:

Heat sensitive shower tiles change colours as it warms up

Heat sensitive tile construction inspired by the Aurora Borealis. Now were talking!

 

3 Amazing Reasons To Buy In France NOW Rather Miss A Chance Of A Lifetime

English: Exchange rate Euro – Slovak koruna Deutsch: Wechselkurs Euro – Slowakische Krone (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Wall Street Journal article ‘American Real Estate Buyers Take Advantage of the Falling Euro’ gives us an insight to why now is time to buy in Europe.

1. Europe On Sale 25% Discount!: For Americans who have always dreamed of owning a second home overseas but have hesitated for one reason or another, the falling euro’s is a game changer. The dollar has strengthened 26% against the euro in less than a year. The last time the dollar was this trading this strong was in 2003.
2. Rejoice In Choice:  President Hollande’s market reforms put a damper on a French housing trend that was rising at a time when many property markets around the world were struggling. This led to the housing glut we see today.  “There are also more choices: Inventory of the highest-end apartments is way up”, said Mr. Kraft of Sotheby’s, “partly in response to new taxes on wealth and assets.”
3. A Perfect Storm – New prices, plus the exchange rates, are just starting to lure Americans back into a market they have avoided since the financial crisis. However, combine that with mortgage rates at an all time low worldwide and this truly is a torrential down pouring of opportunity for anyone who ever dreamed of buying property in France.

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