Rose-Hill’s 1990 Iconic Atrium Building to be Demolished After Decades of Decay

The Atrium building, a landmark of 1990s urban ambition in Rose-Hill, is to be demolished after being declared a public danger. A major safety operation began on Sunday, 21 December, to stabilise the structure following reports of falling concrete debris onto Rue Vandermeersch.

A “Dangerous” Landmark

Gabriella Batour, Mayor of the sister towns, confirmed that the building has been officially deemed a public hazard.

“The Atrium will undergo a first phase of securing this Sunday… before a complete demolition in the coming weeks,” Mayor Batour stated.

She noted that while temporary barriers were recently installed, the risk to the public necessitated a total teardown, scheduled to take place after the festive period.

The Rise and Fall of a 90s Giant

Inaugurated with great fanfare in January 1993, the Atrium was designed to be a cornerstone of Rose-Hill’s urban transformation.

Located strategically opposite the bus station, it was intended to be a modern commercial hub. However, the project was plagued by issues from the outset:

• Management Woes: Fragmented ownership and complex management made the site difficult to maintain.
• Logistical Failures: A critical lack of parking spaces contributed significantly to its decline.
• Commercial Struggle: Within six months of opening, only 25% of the units were occupied. Even international brands like Toys R Us failed to gain traction on the third floor.

Despite the construction of a pedestrian bridge linking the centre to Place Margéot, the building fell into a spiral of financial receivership and physical neglect throughout the 2000s, eventually becoming an “urban eyesore.”

Future Prospects: The Urban Terminal

The demolition marks the end of a long-standing legal battle. In 2017, the State began efforts to acquire the site for a new integrated Urban Terminal and public space, aligned with the arrival of the Metro Express.

The process was stalled for years by the challenge of tracing 52 different heirs, many of whom had “disappeared from the radar.”

In June 2024, the State finally took possession of the land through compulsory acquisition.

While the future Urban Terminal remains a topic for upcoming discussions between the Ministry of Local Government and stakeholders, the immediate priority remains the safe removal of a building that has come to represent the limits of 1990s urban planning.

Source: Le Mauricien