Icônes Group Launches €33 Million Creative Campus in Rennes for 2027 Opening

The private higher education group Icônes is constructing a new €33 million creative campus in Rennes, France, scheduled to open in summer 2027. Located in the Solférino district's EuroRennes development zone, the 16,000 square meter complex will house three buildings designed by architect Philippe Dubus. The main facility will host the 3D animation school Esma, relocating from its current Baud-Chardonnet campus in 2027. Another 14-story building will contain over 300 student studios managed by Artemisia, a company owned by Icônes president Karim Khenissi, plus a 500 square meter event space. The third structure will offer 76 co-living units, a restaurant, and a 200 square meter gym. Exterior features include 1,500 square meters of planted terraces. Construction began in January 2026, with two sites developed simultaneously due to railway lines beneath the student residence requiring innovative foundation solutions. The project is entirely self-funded by Icônes, which opened its first Rennes campus seven years prior at a cost of €9 million for 7,000 square meters. The group's other schools, Iffdec (design) and Pivaut (applied arts), will remain at the original site.