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Not far from where I live, looking somewhat out of place in the historic centre of Paris, stands this 1920s concrete building.
I've often wondered what it was built for, but it's only today, after noticing building work there and an ominous sign from a demolitions company, that I took the time to look it up.
I wouldn't want to see it demolished. While it doesn't exactly blend into its surroundings, it's a nice building and looks to be of historical value.
It turns out it was built in the 1920s for a telephone exchange, designed by architect François Le Cœur. Here's a little history and some better photos than I managed: http://www.paris-promeneurs.com/Architecture-moderne/Le-central-telephonique-rue-des
The façade has been listed since 1999 and is therefore safe from demolition. So what's going on there?
https://monumentum.fr/central-telephonique-pa75030001.html
https://monumentum.fr/central-telephonique-pa75030001.html
All I could find about the building work there was this article: https://vivrelemarais.typepad.fr/blog/2017/12/logements-sociaux-et-population-marais.html
New mezzanine floors are being added and part of the building at the back is being demolished. The end result will be a mixed use building, with both offices and housing.
This neighbourhood has seen a population decline in recent years, driven partly by the conversion of housing into more profitable short term rental accommodation. But the author of the above piece isn't happy about the 29 new units of social housing.
Personally I'm relieved this building will still be standing, and I think it's good that effort is being made to stem population decline in Le Marais, because I don't want to see the whole area turned into a hotel.
If this thread at all interested you, you might like my blog, http://fabricofparis.com . Now that I've fallen down the rabbit hole of telephone exchange buildings, I'll probably post something about these soon. There are quite a few in Paris, each with its own history and future.
