Hôtel Dieu

In line with the guidelines of the RENNES 2030 urban project led by the City of Rennes, the redevelopment of the Hôtel Dieu, carried out in three phases, is an opportunity to extend the city center northward and develop a new attraction that showcases the site's historical heritage and allows new activities to be welcomed into the city center.

In June 2017, Linkcity was selected by the University Hospital, the Etablissement Public Foncier de Bretagne (EPFB) and the City of Rennes to lead this vast operation, with its architectural and urban planning partners ANMA and ALL.

The redevelopment of the Hôtel Dieu aims to create a vibrant living space combining housing, services, entertainment, and cultural and leisure activities.

More than 400 new homes are planned for the Hôtel Dieu site in new and renovated buildings in Rennes city center. Linkcity has designed a new living space that promotes diversity: urban diversity with a mix of housing, leisure facilities, shops, services, and gardens, and social diversity with a range of housing options including social, intermediate, and affordable rental housing.

In line with the guidelines of the RENNES 2030 urban project led by the City of Rennes, the redevelopment of the Hôtel Dieu, carried out in three phases, is an opportunity to extend the city center northward and develop a new attraction that showcases the site's historical heritage and allows new activities to be welcomed into the city center.

In June 2017, Linkcity was selected by the University Hospital, the Etablissement Public Foncier de Bretagne (EPFB) and the City of Rennes to lead this vast operation, with its architectural and urban planning partners ANMA and ALL.

The redevelopment of the Hôtel Dieu aims to create a vibrant living space combining housing, services, entertainment, and cultural and leisure activities.

More than 400 new homes are planned for the Hôtel Dieu site in new and renovated buildings in Rennes city center. Linkcity has designed a new living space that promotes diversity: urban diversity with a mix of housing, leisure facilities, shops, services, and gardens, and social diversity with a range of housing options including social, intermediate, and affordable rental housing.

Even before construction began, The Roof Rennes & Origines, in partnership with Linkcity, invested in the Hôtel Dieu site in September 2019 by opening a unique venue, the Hôtel Dieu pop-up space, combining a climbing gym and a microbrewery bistro in part of the former hospital, covering approximately 1,200 m², for a period of three years.

Integrated from the outset into the site redevelopment project, The Roof Origines occupied the historic building while the project was being developed and, as planned, has made its presence on the Hôtel Dieu site permanent by moving into new premises in the summer of 2025.

This temporary occupation of the premises served several purposes:

The reappropriation of a major part of the city's heritage, steeped in personal history for many residents, since the Hôtel Dieu housed a maternity ward from the late 19th century (1896) until 2009.

A preview of future uses: the Hôtel Dieu is set to become a destination for both Rennes residents and tourists. To create an attractive hub, Linkcity explored the possibility of installing a range of different facilities, mainly in the renovated historic buildings. The Roof Rennes and Origines were temporarily set up around the main courtyard in the southern part of the site. Once the redevelopment work on the other wings was completed, The Roof Rennes and Origines moved permanently to the north of the cloister, where they continue to bring the site to life.

Enhancing the site in connection with the future permanent project: as a vehicle for urban revitalization, the temporary space The Roof Rennes and Origines helped transform the image of the neighborhood and the site, making them more attractive and more open.