Monaco will officially unveil its ambitious Mareterra project on Wednesday, December 4. The district, a six-hectare land reclamation project on the Mediterranean Sea, will be inaugurated by Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene following more than a decade of planning and construction. With a budget of two billion euros and a completion date ahead of schedule, Mareterra represents a monumental achievement for the principality.
Launched in 2013, Mareterra was designed as a sustainable and modern extension of Monaco, reclaiming three percent of the city-state’s land area. The project, led by the Société Anonyme Monégasque (SAM) L’Anse du Portier and supervised by the government’s Urban Planning Department, overcame significant environmental and engineering challenges. The reclaimed land now brings Monaco’s total area to 208 hectares.
The new district offers a mix of private luxury residences and public spaces. The private sector includes 110 high-end apartments, 10 villas, and four townhouses, with property sizes ranging from 400 to over 2,000 square meters. The specifics of pricing remain confidential. Public amenities include a 16-berth marina, 500 meters of coastal promenade, and a verdant hill featuring 1,000 mature trees. Twelve shops and restaurants, an extension of the Grimaldi Forum, and 160 parking spaces round out the offerings. Mareterra will be fully pedestrianized, with areas designed for leisure and reflection.
Sustainability was at the heart of Mareterra’s design. Measures were taken to protect the neighbouring Larvotto marine reserve and the Spélugues reef, and the district has been engineered to withstand potential seismic activity and rising sea levels. The maritime infrastructure, a one billion euros effort by Bouygues Travaux Publics, included the installation of 18 protective caissons designed to preserve ocean currents.
While the official inauguration will take place on Wednesday, December 4, the public will be welcomed to explore Mareterra starting Thursday, December 5. This new neighbourhood, described by its developers as “the least dense and greenest in Monaco,” promises to be a refreshing addition to one of the world’s most urbanised city-states.
The successful completion of Mareterra is not only a testament to Monaco’s commitment to sustainable growth but also a striking example of modern engineering and urban planning on the Mediterranean.
