Description
A duplex apartment in the iconic “Studio Raspail”
This duplex apartment is located in the “Studio Raspail,” a building commissioned by Helena Rubinstein and designed by architect Bruno Elkouken in 1932. Listed as a Historic Monument in 1986, the building stands today as a testament to the artistic life of Montparnasse during the interwar period.
Situated on a high floor, this rare property spans 149.81 m² (Carrez law) with a total floor area of 153.23 m².
On the first level, a grand entrance leads to the living spaces, including a magnificent 57 m² living room bathed in light thanks to a large double-height glass roof. A dining room complements this reception area with its spectacular volumes. This level also features an independent 14 m² kitchen, a shower room with toilet, and a laundry room.
A beautiful original staircase leads to the upper level, which includes a large 23 m² bedroom, a second 15 m² bedroom overlooking the courtyard, a walk-in closet, and a bathroom with toilet.
A cellar completes the property.
The building offers an elevator and a concierge service.
The “Studio Raspail” enjoys a privileged location just steps from Saint-Germain-des-Prés, in the heart of the Montparnasse district, the center of Parisian cultural life during the interwar years.
Close to the Luxembourg Garden, it benefits from a vibrant neighborhood life, with all local shops and amenities nearby, and is served by the Vavin and Raspail metro stations.
The “Studio Raspail” : a modernist project
Commissioned by Helena Rubinstein in the early 1930s, the “Studio Raspail” embodies the Art Deco style that was highly fashionable at the time. Located in the Montparnasse district, the building includes apartments, artists’ studios, and an avant-garde cinema. It consists of three residential buildings with a minimalist aesthetic: the street façade features simple, functional lines, highlighted by enormous bow windows. The pure white design contrasts with the black joinery, creating graphic effects with a Cubist influence. On the upper floors, the “stepped” treatment of the top levels dynamizes the composition while providing balconies that maximize sunlight.
The lower apartments follow the typology of the “artist’s studio,” with large volumes and a mezzanine. However, the east-facing glass roofs do not follow the usual north-facing orientation, indicating that the target clientele was bourgeois, seeking to “live” by exploring the artists’ lifestyle.
The building, which housed a 278-seat cinema until 1982, was partially listed (façade, roof, and cinema) as a Historic Monument in 1986. It recently underwent a major heritage renovation led by the architecture firm Clé Millet, renowned for its expertise in restoring cultural heritage sites. Having regained its theatrical vocation, the new Studio Raspail reopened in May 2026 and now also hosts a variety of other events.
Bruno Elkouken : a modern architect in Paris
Bruno Elkouken (1893-1968) was a Polish-born architect. He settled in Paris from 1920 until 1937, when he fled to the United States to escape Nazism. During his vibrant Parisian years, he designed five buildings as a modern architect and rubbed shoulders with the artistic avant-garde, including prominent figures of his time such as Le Corbusier and Helena Rubinstein, for whom he designed the “Studio Raspail” building in 1932. In 1928, he participated in the first CIAM (International Congress of Modern Architecture) in La Sarraz, Switzerland, and in 1945, he became a member of the Union of Modern Architects (UAM).
Technical informations
Asking price : 2 650 000 €
Fees are the seller’s responsibility.
2025 property tax : 2 895 €
Co-ownership. Number of lots: 45
Information on the risks to which this property is exposed is available on the Géorisques website : www.georisques.gouv.fr
© Texts et images Architecture de Collection
Energy Performance Certificate : E – Greenhouse Gas Emissions : E
Estimated average annual energy expenditure for standard use, based on energy prices from 2021, 2022, and 2023 : between 3 680 € and 5 020 €.
