For decades, you have developed office buildings. With this project in Côte d’Or, you have taken a significant step forward by creating a true ecosystem where work and lifestyle come together. What new vision of commercial real estate does this project represent?

Strategically located at the heart of the triangle connecting Ébène, Moka and Côte d’Or, NeXEra is a natural extension of Ébène Cybercity. Built around the “Live, Work and Play” concept, Mauritius’ first green office campus redefines the workplace by bringing together innovation, wellbeing and sustainability within a single ecosystem. The development provides an environment that responds to the evolving expectations of businesses and their employees.

LEED Gold certified under the Building Design and Construction rating system, NeXEra meets rigorous environmental standards and contributes to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Leading international companies, including Ocorian, Rank Interactive, IMF, International SOS and Moore, have already established their operations at the campus.

As the economy and working practices continue to evolve, the workplace of tomorrow can no longer be limited to a professional setting. It must become a place that supports everyday life. Beyond office buildings, NeXEra therefore incorporates a range of amenities, including a gym, food court and childcare facilities, among others. Nearby, Verdant Garden complements this ecosystem with a residential offering. The ambition is to bring work, family life and wellbeing closer together, creating a more connected and balanced everyday experience.

Established in 2023, NeXEra comprises six nine-storey buildings (G+8). To date, four buildings have been completed, with a current occupancy rate of 60%. The development is centred around a 12,000 m² landscaped garden and will provide 3,000 parking spaces. Construction of the remaining two buildings is scheduled to resume by February 2027 at the latest.

You champion the “Live, Work and Play” concept. At a time when remote working, artificial intelligence and growing expectations around wellbeing are reshaping the workplace, how do you design offices that meet the aspirations of businesses while anticipating the long-term evolution of the world of work?

As remote working and greater flexibility continue to expand possibilities, the office can no longer be seen as simply a place to work. It must become a destination where employees naturally want to come together. This means creating a workplace experience that combines spaces designed for focus and creativity with collaborative environments that encourage innovation, interaction, the exchange of ideas, movement and wellbeing. The challenge is to give employees compelling reasons to value face-to-face interactions.

In the age of artificial intelligence, this evolution also depends on robust technological infrastructure. Reliable connectivity, high-speed performance and facilities equipped to meet modern business needs have become essential. The traditional approach is being reversed: rather than expecting employees to adapt to their workplace, the workplace must evolve to meet their needs.

However, technology alone is not enough. As artificial intelligence continues to transform the way we work, preserving the human dimension becomes even more important. Listening, empathy, collaboration and a strong corporate culture remain fundamental to creating a meaningful workplace experience.

We must also anticipate what lies ahead. To remain relevant over the long term, a building must combine connectivity, performance and sustainability, while offering the flexibility to accommodate new ways of working and technologies that have yet to emerge. This is the vision we have sought to bring to life through NeXEra.

NeXEra is located in Côte d’Or, where you are also developing Verdant Garden. What led you to invest in this area and recognise its potential to become one of Mauritius’ major economic and residential hubs?

In real estate, my golden rule takes precedence over everything else: location, location, location. The strategic positioning of Côte d’Or played a decisive role in our decision. The location was a natural choice, offering the opportunity to develop a new hub where business activities, residential developments and essential services come together within a single ecosystem.

Ébène, which has long driven the growth of the services sector and the Mauritius International Financial Centre, is now facing several challenges, including traffic congestion, limited space and parking constraints. Against this backdrop, businesses are increasingly seeking environments that are better suited to their evolving needs.

We see Côte d’Or as a natural extension of Ébène, with the potential to develop a different urban model: one that is more accessible, better integrated and centred around mixed-use developments. Its strategic position within the island’s road network is a major advantage. The area is easily accessible from Mauritius’ two main economic centres, Ébène Cybercity and Port Louis, as well as from different parts of the island. For businesses, this connectivity represents a significant advantage, allowing employees to commute from the north, south, east or west without spending hours on the road.

Côte d’Or also benefits from modern infrastructure, wide dual-carriageway roads, landscaped surroundings, a cycling track and extensive green spaces. Together, these features contribute to a more spacious and pleasant environment where mobility and quality of life take centre stage.

Our vision, however, extends beyond economic development to fully embrace the residential dimension. Through Verdant Garden, we aim to provide people working in Ébène or Côte d’Or with the opportunity to live closer to their workplace while enjoying convenient access to everyday essentials. The surrounding area offers educational institutions, universities, supermarkets and a medical clinic. Additional services, retail outlets and amenities are also available in the neighbouring hubs of Bagatelle and Tribeca.

Beyond infrastructure and property developments, our ambition is to shape a new way of living, working and connecting. The objective is to reduce daily commuting by bringing homes, workplaces and essential services closer together. This is the essence of the “Live, Work and Play” concept: creating an environment where people can work, live and come together within a connected ecosystem.

It is this combination of economic activity, residential living and accessibility that has the potential to establish Côte d’Or as a major hub of the Mauritian economy.

With Verdant Garden, you have expanded into a residential development of a completely different scale. What has this move into residential real estate taught you compared to your experience in commercial property? And what role will this segment play in your future development strategy?

Residential real estate allows us to diversify our activities while remaining within our core business. This evolution forms part of a broader vision: creating environments where people can live, work and enjoy everyday life within a single ecosystem, reducing distances and the constraints of daily commuting. Verdant Garden embodies this approach by addressing two key aspirations: offering residents a quality living environment while providing buyers with an attractive investment opportunity.

We identified a shortage of apartments in the Ébène and Côte d’Or region, particularly residential developments that combine a strategic location, modern amenities and quality of life. Facilities such as a heated swimming pool, gym, clubhouse, landscaped gardens and children's play areas respond to the growing demand for a complete residential environment. Today, families want access to these amenities without having to compromise between convenience and comfort. At the same time, rental demand, driven particularly by professionals and expatriates, further strengthens the potential of this market.

This diversification is therefore a natural extension of our real estate activities, although residential development comes with different expectations and requirements compared to commercial property. An office is a place of work, whereas an apartment is a home, sometimes for several decades. This distinction requires particular attention to every detail, from finishes to technical installations. At Verdant Garden, our daily presence on-site enables us to closely monitor construction quality, inspect finishes and address issues as they arise.

Verdant Garden currently comprises four buildings, with a fifth nearing completion. This progress reflects buyers' confidence and growing interest in a development that brings together proximity to major economic hubs, modern amenities and quality of life. The project appeals both to those looking for a home and to investors seeking rental opportunities.

We intend to continue developing this segment. As lifestyles evolve, bringing homes closer to workplaces is becoming increasingly important. The aim is to reduce daily commuting, ease the pressures associated with traffic congestion and ultimately improve quality of life.

The future of residential real estate will depend on our ability to strike the right balance between location, quality, amenities and affordability. Buyers have a defined budget, beyond which a property purchase may no longer be financially viable. Our responsibility is therefore to develop homes that meet their expectations without compromising on quality, while remaining within a price range that reflects their financial means.

NeXTeracom Group is also the property developer and principal sales agent for Avalon Golf Estate, a premium residential and golf estate in Bois Chéri. What has this project taught you about creating a true living environment that goes beyond simply developing properties?

With Avalon Golf Estate, our ambition was to create a place where people do not simply reside, but choose to embrace a different way of life. We wanted to offer a distinctive living environment where space and wellbeing take centre stage. The lush, open and preserved natural surroundings also reflect today’s growing environmental concerns and the challenges posed by climate change.

Today, the development continues to progress gradually. Around 50 residents, most of whom are golf enthusiasts, already call Avalon home. Once completed, the development will comprise 300 residential plots. Buyers have the flexibility to build their homes at their own pace, while adhering to architectural guidelines designed to preserve the estate’s overall character, consistency and identity.

Looking back at a pivotal stage in your journey, Ébène Cybercity holds a special place. Through the development of several office buildings, you have contributed to the transformation of its real estate landscape. What potential did you identify in this area before it emerged as one of Mauritius’ leading economic hubs?

Between 2005 and 2007, we recognised that Port Louis was reaching its limits. The high concentration of buildings, limited airflow between structures and challenges posed by torrential rainfall prompted us to rethink the possibilities for urban development. To sustain our growth, we needed to explore new locations. We saw the potential in Ébène, where the availability of space offered opportunities to accommodate new businesses and support the expansion of the Mauritian economy. Our first developments in the area began in 2007.

This decision was part of a broader transformation of the Mauritian economy. The growth of financial services, offshore activities, telecommunications, information technology and business process outsourcing (BPO) was creating new infrastructure requirements. At the same time, Mauritius was seeking to strengthen its international positioning as a financial centre and an investment gateway to Africa. Ébène presented an opportunity to support this ambition through infrastructure that met international standards.

Over the years, we developed seven buildings in Ébène, from the three NeXTeracom towers, developed during the global financial crisis of 2008, to NeX Tower, NeXOne, NeXSky and Maeva Tower. These developments supported Ébène’s growth and helped shape one of Mauritius’ leading business districts.

Ébène has fundamentally reshaped the economic landscape of Mauritius. The objective was never to replace Port Louis, but rather to establish a new, internationally oriented business hub. Today, Ébène Cybercity is itself reaching its limits. Our role as property developers is to anticipate these development cycles and invest in locations that will drive the country's next phase of growth.

Let’s conclude this journey where it all began: in Port Louis. Which building laid the foundations of your family’s real estate legacy? From Victoria House to Newton Tower and Celicourt, your property development journey has continued to evolve over the decades. What remains of the man who began constructing these buildings so many years ago?

Our real estate journey began in 1975, when my father constructed our first building on Rémy Ollier Street in Port Louis to house the operations of CSK. Spanning two floors and covering 800 m², this building marked the beginning of our journey in property development.

CSK House, Victoria House, Newton Tower and Celicourt represented the early milestones of my real estate journey. These projects taught me three fundamental principles: adaptability, resilience and discipline. Markets evolve and crises arise, but the ability to overcome challenges, adapt to changing circumstances and maintain the highest standards is essential to building a business that stands the test of time. Beyond the buildings themselves, it is this philosophy that continues to guide our development and strategic decisions.

At heart, I remain a builder. My passion is as strong as ever, as is the satisfaction of seeing an idea take shape and come to life through a project. But real estate is about much more than constructing buildings. It is also a human journey, built on listening, trust and a genuine understanding of clients’ needs. This human dimension is what gives meaning to my profession: creating lasting developments that meet expectations and remain relevant over time.

However, longevity also requires the ability to reinvent ourselves. Business expectations are evolving, investment models are changing, and sustainability has become a major priority. We must therefore continue to innovate and broaden our vision, fully integrating economic, environmental and human considerations at every stage of our projects.

Today, building is no longer simply about constructing properties. It is about creating spaces that deliver lasting value, respond to present needs and anticipate the expectations of tomorrow.

A new chapter is unfolding as your three children take over the reins and carry forward your entrepreneurial journey. How do you pass on a legacy while giving the next generation the freedom to shape its own vision?

Three years ago, I entrusted the leadership of the company to my three children, Patrice, Christelle and Benoît. Today, it gives me great satisfaction to guide them by sharing the values, vision and mindset that have shaped our journey, so they can build on these foundations and bring renewed energy to the next chapter of our story.

I teach them that a business cannot be managed solely from behind a desk. It is built on the ground, through hands-on experience. You need to understand every aspect of your business, be fully committed and prove yourself through hard work. This dedication builds expertise, earns the respect of teams and provides the strong foundations a company needs to stand the test of time.

However, passing on a legacy is about more than handing over a business or a property portfolio. I constantly remind them that honesty towards clients, partners and employees is non-negotiable. It is the foundation of trust and every lasting relationship. Equally important are attention to detail and the quality of service we deliver. Our clients must know they can rely on us, whatever the circumstances.

Passing on a legacy does not mean replicating the past. It also means opening the door to new ambitions. Every generation must have the freedom to bring its own vision, adapt to changing market dynamics and embrace new opportunities. The challenge is to preserve the values that have been the foundation of our strength, while empowering the next generation to drive the company's growth with ambition and responsibility.

Any final words?

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the banks and to everyone who has supported me and placed their trust in me throughout my journey. Some have invested hundreds of millions of rupees in my projects without even requiring financial guarantees.

This trust is both an honour and a responsibility. It is not something that can be taken for granted. It must be earned, nurtured and renewed every day. It is a responsibility I fully recognise and continue to uphold with the same unwavering commitment and dedication.