Ikea to build first residential and business center - 40,000 sqm complex at Cote d'Azure

Swedish furniture giant Ikea has confirmed that it will be opening a new store in Nice. The long-awaited establishment will be located in the new Eco-Nice Saint Isidore area, adjacent to the Allianz Riviera stadium.

The announcement came on the morning of Friday 12th April during a press conference by Mayor Christian Estrosi. With the CEO of Ikea France, Stefan Vanoverbeke, and Prefect of the Alpes Maritimes Christophe Mirmand by his side, Estrosi happily declared, "Nice will host an Ikea store of exceptional architectural quality!"

Work is expected to begin on the site – a designated eco-friendly business site on the outskirts of the city – in 2014 and be completed by late 2016.

- The Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis is committed to creating a more efficient economy, more jobs and more innovation, with an emphasis on eco-friendly projects - said Estrosi.

The project is expected to create 350 direct jobs.

- Opening an Ikea store in Nice has been important to us for a long time - said Stefan Vanoverbeke, CEO of Ikea France.

Vanoverbeke said a building permit will be submitted by the end of the year.

The facility is also expected to include a large underground car park.