The company, founded in Rennes in 1946, is already an established presence in Jersey as well as being active in the UK, Switzerland and Portugal.
It was appointed by the Guernsey Housing Association in August to progress the next stage of the CI Tyres site, once cliff stabilisation work had been completed, and was expected to work alongside a local firm.
The company said it was Guernsey’s market demand and opportunities in housing and mixed-use development which underpinned its expansion. It was also keen to contribute to the enthusiasm for strengthening economic ties between the island and Brittany.
Luc Richard, director of Groupe Legendre’s Jersey operation, will lead the new Guernsey branch alongside his existing responsibilities in Jersey.
‘Opening an office in Guernsey is a strategic next step for Groupe Legendre and builds on the momentum of expanding our presence overseas,’ he said.
‘Housing delivery remains challenging on the island, and the shortage of new homes is increasingly affecting Guernsey’s ability to attract and retain residents, particularly younger generations.’
He said that having a permanent base in the island would help to support this demand.
‘It will bring us closer to our projects and clients, allowing us to stay hands-on, work closely with local partners and build long-term relationships.
‘We’re looking forward to building a strong team in the island and offering an environment where people can deliver high-quality work while enjoying an exceptional quality of life by the sea.’
Recruitment is under way to build a local team, and the company said it was preparing to open a physical office in the island to support a long-term presence.
Groupe Legendre said its move into Guernsey aligned with the firm’s wider strategic market entries, which has a target of more than 20% of turnover being generated from outside France by 2030, supported by a focus on innovation, technical expertise and social responsibility.
The company said that while its initial focus would be construction, it had plans to expand into property development and energy.
