It would bring together programs of luxury serviced apartments, a 5-Star palace hotel, class-A offices, high-end retail, and the public and entertainment space.

Placed along Paris' historical axis, linking the Louvre Palace, and its crystal pyramid, to the Arc de Triomphe and the Grande Arche of La Défense, Hermitage Plaza would be visible from every corner of the capital.

The project was revealed by Norman Foster, on 11 March 2009 at the MIPIM (real estate show for professionals) which took place in Cannes, France.

Hermitage Group had originally proposed a different design, by Jacques Ferrier, which was running for the Tour Signal contest.

The Tour Signal contest was won by Jean Nouvel's project but Hermitage Group tried to have its towers built anyway.