It all started back in the 1950s, following massive destruction in the years of the Second World War, when reconstruction programs were set up to help rebuild inner cities and give new life to ancient and modern parts of city centers in the future. Closely involved in that process in and around Strasbourg was SERS SA, Société d’Aménagement et d’Équipment de la Région, which was founded as a semi-public company in 1957. SERS commissioned impressive landmarks of modern Strasbourg, including the Esplanade, its first project ever. Now the company is redeveloping the old tobacco manufacturing plant in the heart of Strasbourg.