FRANCE – Pernod Ricard, the world’s second largest wines and spirits firm, has selected Paris’ Saint Lazare district as the location for its new global headquarters, relocating from the company’s current headquarters in Place des États-Unis.

The French wine and spirits group said that the new headquarters, adjacent to Gare Saint-Lazare (one of the six large terminus railway stations of Paris), will feature a façade composed of 2,400 tinted glass strips and will be host to 900 employees over approximately 18,000m2.

The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies brand owner said that the site has been awarded High Environmental Quality certification and incorporates the highest environmentally responsible standards, as well as leafy terraces and a natural walkway open to the public.

Named “Cours Paul Ricard,” a tribute to the Group’s creator by the Mayor of Paris, the new site will host the company’s corporate functions, until now housed at Place des États-Unis. The new headquarters will also bring together all entities currently based in and around Paris, the company said.

“This unity of location embodies the Group’s comprehensive transformation, working methods included. The layout of the space created by Saguez & Partners is intended to promote collaboration, shared experiences and synergies between entities,” the company said.

Christened ‘The Island’ in reference to the Iles Paul Ricard located off the coast of Toulon, the the company said that the new complex retains all the unique features of an island featuring a land of convivialité opening out onto the bustle of the historic neighbourhood.

In this way, Pernord Ricard says that ‘The Island’ will enable the Group to bring its vision of convivialité to life in the area. The Ricard Foundation, which has become the Group’s foundation, will occupy most of the building’s ground floor and will host numerous artistic events open to all free of charge, the liquor company explained.

Pernod Ricard added that it is looking forward to opening a concept store dedicated to Wines and Spirits, an innovation built around the consumer experience and based on a retail approach that is particularly ground-breaking within the industry.

Alexandre Ricard, Chairman & CEO of Pernod Ricard commented: “The purpose of The Island is not just to bring our activities together geographically, but also to showcase the future Pernod Ricard, a business that is open to the world and which places its consumers and employees at the heart of its strategy. Both through its design and layout, the new headquarters is the embodiment of our Group’s transformation.”

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