Pullman Paris Montparnasse Hotel Explained

Pullman Paris Montparnasse Hotel
Former Names:Paris-Sheraton Hotel
Hotel Montparnasse Park
Le Méridien Montparnasse
Address:19 rue du Commandant-René-Mouchotte (main entrance)
10 rue Vercingétorix (alternate entrance)
Location:Paris 14th arrondissement
Coordinates:48.8383°N 2.3208°W
Completion Date:1974
Building Type:Hotel
Roof:116m (381feet)
Floor Count:32[1]
Architect:Pierre Dufau
Developer:SODEFRA
Owner:Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield
Management:Accor

The Pullman Paris Montparnasse Hotel is a skyscraper hotel in the Montparnasse quarter, in the 14th arrondissement of Paris, France. It is part of the Vandamme Nord mixed use complex, which is currently known by the commercial name Les Ateliers Gaîté. With 957 rooms, it is the third-largest hotel in Paris after the Le Méridien Étoile and the Hyatt Regency Paris Étoile, and one of the French capital's major convention venues.[2]

Owner and tenant history

Hotel

The hotel and the adjoining Vandamme Nord complex were developed by Joseph Vaturi and his son Clément, Italians of Egyptian descent, who founded or owned a number of other luxury hotels. The hotel opened in 1974 as the Paris-Sheraton Hotel, managed by Sheraton Hotels and Resorts. The inaugural director was Raymond Marcelin, a veteran of several Paris luxury establishments, including the Grand Hôtel, the Prince de Galles and the Meurice.[3]

In 1982, the Vaturis sold the complex to Swiss hospitality group Nova Park, which assumed direct management of the hotel, renamed the Montparnasse Park Hotel. Nova Park went bankrupt in 1985, also bringing down the leadership of its primary lender, BPGF (Banque Privée de Gestion Financière), in a financial scandal.[4] [5]

In 1986, the complex was acquired in bankruptcy proceedings by Frankoparis, a pension fund managed by representatives of Air France's ground personnel with the backing of a Kuwaiti bank. The hotel's management rights were acquired by Air France's Le Méridien hotel division for FRF 30 million a year[6] [7] and the hotel was renamed Le Meridien Montparnasse on 1 July 1986. In 1998, mall operator Unibail (today Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield) purchased Frankoparis and its assets, including the Vandamme Nord complex.[8] A 1999 renegotiation of the hotel's lease led to the award of an industry-high revenue share by French courts, although the decision was seemingly never enacted.[9] [10]

On 8 December 2010, France's Accor hotel group signed an agreement with Unibail-Rodamco to assume management of the hotel under its newly resurrected Pullman brand.[11] [12] Starman, a hotel investment company owned jointly by Starwood Capital and Lehman Brothers, sold its long leasehold interest and ownership of the hotel business to Unibail-Rodamco and the hotel became the Pullman Paris Montparnasse Hotel on 7 January 2011.[13] [14]

The hotel closed on 31 August 2017[15] for renovations,[16] which included the addition of a roof terrace. It was set reopen in May 2020,[17] but the reopening was postponed to 27 December 2021,[18] due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The hotel is Pullman's largest European property.[19]

Catering

The hotel's historic restaurant was the defunct Montparnasse 25.[20] It was awarded one star by the Michelin Guide in 1991 under Jean-Yves Guého, who was previously a chef for other Méridien hotel restaurants in the U.S. and Hong Kong.[21] Future three-starred chef Christophe Bacquié was also trained at the establishment.[22] In later years, it was headed by Christian Moine, a former second de cuisine at the Meurice. The restaurant suffered from a downsizing in personnel when Méridien was acquired by Starwood in 1998,[23] and eventually closed its doors in July 2010.[24] Other culinary offerings in the hotel's original incarnation were La Ruche, a fast food restaurant, and Le Corail, a lounge bar.[20]

Corporate tenants

In addition to the offices located above the complex's mall, the hotel tower had its own corporate rental space. In the early stages of the project, it was announced that the lower floors of the hotel would house the European headquarters of Sheraton's parent company International Telephone and Telegraph.[25] However, no later reference to this could be found. In 1974, the project's architect Pierre Dufau moved his agency to the hotel tower, which was its final location until his death in 1985.[26] [27] [28] Upon Méridien's 1986 acquisition of the hotel, the chain set up its headquarters there until its 1994 sale to Forte Group, when its main offices moved to London, leaving a scaled down team in Paris.[29] Records indicate that Méridien France transferred its location to the Tour Montparnasse in 2010.[30]

The offices of Encyclopaedia Universalis[31] and the Joseph Vaturi-owned Éditions de Montsouris, a subsidiary of which published the French edition of Tintin magazine, were also once located at the address.[32] [33] The, a network of professional journalists sponsored by Accor, was housed within the hotel between 2010 and 2017, when the latter closed for a lengthy remodel, forcing the group to relocate to Issy-les-Moulineaux.[34]

Building

Due to its integration into an ensemble of entertainment and shopping amenities, then a relatively unusual concept in the French hospitality industry, it was billed as the "first American-style Parisian hotel".[3] Like much of the surrounding complex, the hotel was designed by star architect Pierre Dufau. Despite its bold appearance, it was given only one third of the usual budget for similarly sized hotels at the time,[35] with some sources quoting a price tag as low as FRF 50 million.[36] The hotel's walls are covered in factory-stamped steel panels hot painted with DuPont's Tedlar polymer, which gave the building the desired durability and character at a discount.[37] Dufau would reuse that technique on later works such as the SNECMA headquarters in the neighboring 15th arrondissement.[38]

Culminating at 116 metre, it was announced as Paris's future largest hotel and slated for a late 1973 or 1974 opening, suffering no major delays.[39] [40] Although advertisements often listed the more impressive number of 1000 rooms as a bullet point,[20] the actual number was 962 (including 32 suites)[20] in its original Sheraton incarnation.[41] By the time of its entry into service, it had already been overtaken in terms of capacity by two competitors, the and, narrowly, the Hôtel Concorde La Fayette.[42] [43]

In its original configuration, the hotel had 31 floors, 25 of which were reserved for the rooms. While the other parts of the hotel have seen significant alterations, the volume allocated to the rooms has remained practically the same, with only minor variations in their number. A "salon", or conference hall, was also present at the base of the tower, with an original capacity of 1,000 patrons.[25] Two of the lower floors were also used as corporate rental space before the 2017 remodel.[44]

Remodels

Following its acquisition by Méridien, the hotel was given a three-year makeover, projected at FRF 100 million in 1986,[45] but retrospectively pegged at nearly three times more.[46] The lobby was expanded vertically, and a new 2000-seat conference hall was also fitted out.[7] [46] The necessary space for the latter was gained from the phasing out of several underground facilities within the complex, including the Patinoire Gaîté-Montparnasse, an ice rink. A 2005 article named it as the largest hotel-integrated conference center in Europe at the time,[47] with some NaN4,200 of total space across all salons.[46] [48]

At the end of August 2017, the hotel closed for another major remodel, concurrent with a restructuring of the entire surrounding complex under the name Les Ateliers Gaîté.[15] Initially planned for May 2020,[49] the reopening was postponed to 27 December 2021, in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[50] [19] While the adjacent complex's redesign was overseen by Dutch urbanists MVRDV, work on the hotel itself was entrusted to newcomers Cut Architecture, at a cost of €100 million.[51] The number of room stayed relatively stable at 957, including 12 suites and 4 apartments.[2] The entrance's layout was further modified, now extending above street level and taking up part of the first floor. The conference rooms were moved from the underground levels to a three-floor section located above the entrance. The corporate rental space that occupied two of the lower levels was phased out to make room for the new setup.[19] [52] [53] Former service rooms located on top of the building were converted into a 32nd floor rooftop bar.[52] It was billed at launch as the highest open air bar in the city,[54] although a spate of similar venues has made the claim less definitive.[55] It is the first European Skybar, a branded type of rooftop bar based on an original venue found at Los Angeles's Mondrian.[54]

Notable guests

Notable events

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. The largest Pullman hotel in Europe reopens its doors: Discover all the secrets of the completely transformed Pullman Paris Montparnasse . Agence 14 Septembre . 21 April 2022.
  2. Web site: Hotel review: Pullman Paris Montparnasse . Brandler . Hannah . 12 August 2023 . Business Traveller . May 29, 2023.
  3. News: Durand-Souffland . J.M. . Un Sheraton chez les 'Montparnos' . Paris . Le Monde . 15 . 1 June 1974 . fr.
  4. Web site: Vaturi + Lyonnais = 3,5 milliards de pertes. Ou comment la banque publique a chargé la barque du groupe hôtelier de luxe. . . 7 February 1996 . Libération . fr . April 2, 2023.
  5. Droit de réponse : La société Sheraton ne saurait être associée aux difficultés de la BPGF . Sheraton Hôtels France . 13 June 1985 . Le Monde . April 2, 2023.
  6. News: . 4 July 1988 . L'hôtel Montparnasse Park repris par Méridien . Le Monde . 25 . fr.
  7. News: . 5 June 1990 . 7888 . Frankoparis Shares Entering the Paris Stock Exchange . Arab Times . Kuwait . Reuters . 13.
  8. Web site: Valeur du jour : Unibail veut être un refuge . Fay . Sophie . 18 September 1998 . Le Monde . fr . May 29, 2023.
  9. 18 March 2002 . Rapport annuel 2001 . Unibail . 25– . 4 October 2023.
  10. Marx . Michel . 2008 . La valorisation des locaux monovalants . Michel Marx Expertises . 5–6 . 7 October 2023.
  11. Web site: Starman Sells Landmark Paris Hotel to Unibail-Rodamco . . 14 January 2011 . hotelexecutive.com . April 2, 2023.
  12. Web site: Le Méridien Montparnasse devient le Pullman Paris Montparnasse . de Bast . Évelyne . 13 December 2010 . L'Hôtellerie . fr . May 29, 2023.
  13. Web site: Le Méridien Montparnasse devient un Pullman . www.latribune.fr . 8 December 2010 . fr.
  14. https://group.accor.com/api/accorhotels/PressRelease/GetFile/?id=%7B77449125-7873-4085-B821-8F3772C59732%7D
  15. Web site: Pullman Montparnasse : fermeture pour travaux pendant 3 ans . Hospitality ON . fr.
  16. Web site: Trois ans de rénovation en vue pour l'hôtel Pullman Montparnasse à Paris . www.lesechos.fr . fr . 14 September 2016.
  17. Web site: à 17h54 . Par Céline Carez Le 10 juin 2018 . Paris : Montparnasse aura le plus grand rooftop de la capitale ! . www.leparisien.fr . fr-FR . 10 June 2018.
  18. Web site: Pullman Paris Montparnasse .
  19. Web site: Le Pullman Montparnasse fait son grand retour sur la scène MICE . Deltendre . Arnaud . 29 December 2021 . voyages-d-affaires.com . fr . May 29, 2023.
  20. Montparnasse, Capitale Sheraton . . 29 March 1977 . Sheraton Hotels and Inns . Le Monde . April 2, 2023.
  21. Web site: Jean-Yves Guého . . atlantide1874.fr . May 29, 2023 . fr .
  22. Web site: Christophe Bacquié . . Thuries : le magazine de la gastronomie . May 29, 2023.
  23. News: Ribault . Jean-Claude . 4 March 1998 . Gastronomie : Montparnasse 25 . Le Monde . 25.
  24. Web site: Le Montparnasse 25 A L'hotel Meridien Montparnasse à Paris. . . lesrestos.com . fr . April 2, 2023.
  25. Web site: L'Hôtel Sheraton à Montparnasse aura mille chambres . . 4 August 1969 . Paris . Le Monde . fr . May 29, 2023.
  26. Massire . Hugo . September–October 2020 . Reliability and fidelity: the human and material logics at work in Pierre Dufau's (1908-1985) architectural offices . Cahiers de la recherche architecturale urbaine et paysagère . Paris . Éditions du patrimoine . fr.
  27. Gangneux . Marie-Christine . November–December 1975 . Les espaces de l’architecte . L'Architecture d'aujourd'hui . Boulogne-Billancourt . 1982 . 28–29 .
  28. Web site: Monsieur Pierre Dufau – 75014 . . societe.com . fr . April 2, 2023.
  29. Web site: Bernard Lambert : directeur général de Méridien 'Méridien veut devenir la 1ère chaîne européenne au goût français dans le monde d'ici 5 ans' . Cosson . Claire . 11 September 1997 . L'Hôtellerie . fr . May 29, 2023.
  30. Web site: Société des hôtels Méridien . . pappers.fr . fr . April 2, 2023.
  31. Web site: Encyclopaedia universalis France . . Library Network of Western Switzerland . rero.ch . April 2, 2023.
  32. Book: . Who's Who in France . 16th . Morgaine (Daniel), journaliste . Paris . Éditions Jacques Lafitte . 1033 . 1982 . 2857840160.
  33. Web site: Tintin Spécial / Super Tintin . . Fondazione Franco Fossati . lfb.it . it . April 2, 2023.
  34. Web site: Le Press Club de France déménage . . 27 September 2016 . La Lettre A . fr . April 2, 2023.
  35. Web site: Hôtel Pullman Montparnasse (ex-Sheraton, ex-Meridien) – Agence Pierre Dufau (1972-1974) . Croque Brique . 2 November 2021 . facebook.fr . fr . April 2, 2023.
  36. Web site: Le quartier Montparnasse – Paris 14ème et 15ème . Foucaud . Boris . fr . May 29, 2023.
  37. Metal Lamination Case Study . . June 2020 . DuPont . April 2, 2023.
  38. Web site: Carrossé comme une berline . . 5 February 2023 . lafacadeaucarre.com . fr . April 2, 2023.
  39. Web site: World Hotels: Little Room and Big Boom . . 15 June 1970 . time.com . May 29, 2023.
  40. . 23 August 1971 . Future Construction Abroad . Commerce Today . Washington . U.S. Department of Commerce . 1 . 23 . 66.
  41. Book: McIntosh . Christopher . Graham . Peter . 1983 . The American Express pocket guide to Paris . Hotels: Sheraton . London . Mitchell Beazley International . 132 . 9780855333928.
  42. Web site: Covid-19 : à Paris, l’hôtel Hyatt de la porte Maillot frappé de plein fouet par la crise . Le Mitouard . Eric . 6 September 2006 . Le Parisien . fr . May 29, 2023.
  43. Web site: Le Méridien Montparnasse devient un Pullman . . 8 December 2010 . La Tribune . fr . April 2, 2023.
  44. Kouyoumdjian-Simonin, Maxime . March 2023 . Batiment bois : Gaîté-Montparnasse, Paris . Architecture bois . Bordeaux . Serum Presse . 141 . 2678-6338 .
  45. Web site: Air France et les hôtels Méridien vont racheter le Montparnasse Park Hotel . F.R. . 19 March 1986 . Le Monde . fr . May 29, 2023.
  46. BTS Hôtellerie Restauration . Pinhas . Nicolas . 2007 . Conduite et Présentation de l’Etude Technique: Le Méridien Montparnasse Paris (Session 2005–07) . Histoire du Méridien Montparnasse . CFA Médéric – École hôtelière de Paris . fr.
  47. Web site: Le Méridien ajoute de la valeur à ses hôtels . . 5 July 2005 . quotidiendutourisme.com . fr . April 2, 2023.
  48. Web site: D’une enseigne, l’autre – Pullman appose sa marque . . 25 June 2011 . voyages-d-affaires.com . fr . April 2, 2023.
  49. Web site: Carez . Céline . 10 June 2018 . Paris : Montparnasse aura le plus grand rooftop de la capitale ! . Le Parisien . fr.
  50. Web site: Pullman Montparnasse : métamorphose attendue, ouverture repoussée . Deltendre . Arnaud . 12 May 2020 . voyages-d-affaires.com . fr . May 29, 2023.
  51. Web site: Expérience Hôtelière : Avoir la tête dans les étoiles, Pullman, MVRDV, SRA et Cut Architectures . . May–June 2020 . Archistorm . fr . April 2, 2023.
  52. Web site: L'oeil d'un architecte : Zoom sur CUT Architectures . . 31 January 2023 . L'Agenceur magazine . fr . April 2, 2023.
  53. Pullman Paris Montparnasse client interactive brochure . . 2021 . Pullman Hotels & Resorts . April 2, 2023.
  54. The iconic Skybar launches for the first time in Europe with Skybar Paris: the highest open air rooftop in the city. . . 21 December 2021 . Ennismore . April 2, 2023.
  55. Web site: Paris : TOO TacTac, le nouveau rooftop spectaculaire des tours Duo . Henry . Céline . 24 September 2022 . Le Parisien . fr . May 29, 2023.
  56. Book: Denoël . Yvonnic . 2014 . 2012 . Les guerres secrètes du Mossad . Le marchand de meubles de l'OLP . Poche-Documents . Paris . Nouveau Monde éditions . 9782380943016.
  57. Web site: . 9 June 1992 . Un crime de professionnels . L'Humanité . fr . April 2, 2023.
  58. Web site: De l’hôtel Méridien-Montparnasse à la prison de la Santé . Kpatindé . Francis . 8 September 2003 . jeuneafrique.com . fr . May 29, 2023.
  59. Web site: Démenti au démenti sur la rencontre avortée Macky Sall-Karim Wade à Paris : L’hôtel George V cherche la taupe . . 19 April 2012 . Le Quotidien . fr . May 29, 2023.
  60. Web site: Politics and Corruption in FIFA . Weinreich . Jens . Kistner . Thomas . 14 November 2011 . playthegame.org . May 29, 2023.
  61. Web site: Le CIEL entend défendre la liberté de la culture partout où elle est violée . Comte . Gilbert . 27 June 1978 . Le Monde . fr . May 29, 2023.
  62. Assises des 23 et 24 juin 1978 – Dossier de presse . . Paris . Comité des intellectuels pour l'Europe des libertés . April 2, 2023.
  63. Web site: France - Sarkozy oublie la Francophonie . Rioux . Christian . 1 March 2007 . Montréal . Le Devoir . fr . May 29, 2023.
  64. Web site: L'Icann et le monde Internet planchent sur la diversification des noms de domaine . Gros . Maryse . 2016 . lemondeinformatique.fr . fr . May 29, 2023.

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