Historic Tower to Host Retail Giant’s Regional Teams
The French retail group Casino has sealed a significant office real estate deal at La Défense, agreeing to occupy the entire 28,000-square-meter Tour Blanche. The move, scheduled for completion by the end of 2026, will bring approximately 2,000 employees from its Île-de-France operations under one roof. This marks one of the largest recent transactions in the business district’s office market.
Strategic Relocation to Reduce Debt
This consolidation is a strategic effort by Casino, recently taken over by businessman Daniel Kretinsky, to reduce expenses and manage its €1.4 billion debt. The group has been divesting assets to competitors like Intermarché, Auchan, and Carrefour. The Tour Blanche will house the group’s Paris headquarters, currently on Boulevard Haussmann, Franprix staff from Vitry-sur-Seine, and Monoprix teams from Clichy. Notably, the company’s official headquarters will remain in Saint-Étienne, and Cdiscount’s base will stay in Bordeaux.
The relocation was presented to employee representatives on January 15, 2026. While not unexpected for staff, particularly those in Paris and Clichy where leases were expiring, the move is framed as a positive step for internal cohesion. Management stated the project aims to “strengthen the unity of the group and its brands” and enhance collaboration. Employees have been assured that the move will not result in job losses, following a recent major restructuring plan.
A Boost for La Défense
The deal is welcome news for the La Défense area. A local restaurateur noted that nearly 2,000 additional people is “always good news,” helping to fill office space in the district. The Tour Blanche, a 100-meter tower built in 1967 and one of the first private developments in La Défense, has been vacant for nearly a year. Owned by German asset manager DWS, it was last fully occupied by Enedis, which has since moved to the Altiplano building.
For DWS, securing Casino as a tenant for the entire building is a major success. This transaction may provide the financial impetus for DWS’s ambitious project to replace the 1980s-era Immeuble Monge with the planned 170-meter Tour Monge on Boulevard Patrick Devedjian.
