Contemporary apartment

Located in the heart of Marseille’s 1st arrondissement, this apartment benefits from a central and dynamic location. It is within immediate proximity to the Vieux-Port, just a 15-minute walk from the historic Panier district, and 10 minutes from Saint-Charles Station.

The apartment is well-served by public transport (Metro M1, Tramways T2 & T3, Buses), and all amenities (shops, services) are within easy reach.

This apartment offers numerous possibilities for redesign to adapt to contemporary lifestyles, with two main approaches.

The first approach involves retaining the two T2 apartments. This would entail optimizing the volumes and natural light while preserving the architectural coherence and the iconic spirit of the Building Canebière.

A second scenario would restore the original space by removing partitions to recreate a unified, fluid 91.25 m² layout. This option provides great flexibility to rethink circulation and the connections between rooms, allowing for a custom design where light and space are generously distributed.

The Building Canebière, a nine-story building with clean lines, stands out in Marseille’s urban landscape. Its imposing silhouette blends classic aesthetics with modernity. Its curved façade, adorned with regular balustrades, opens onto the street while softening its angle.
Recognized as a 20th-Century Heritage site, this building embodies the architectural principles of Fernand Pouillon. It reflects the architect’s focus on residential comfort, natural light, space optimization, and the well-being of its occupants. This project also symbolizes his urban vision for post-war reconstruction.

Built on the site of the Nouvelles Galeries de la Canebière—a flagship of Marseille’s retail trade constructed in 1901 and thriving until its destruction by fire in 1938—the building was designed after World War II. Architects Fernand Pouillon, Jean-Louis Sourdeau, and René Egger envisioned a “building-city.” Innovative for its time, this reinforced concrete structure, built on a regular horizontal grid, was designed for multiple uses, integrating housing, offices, and a commercial gallery to meet the needs of Marseillais. As a showcase for the architects and a testament to their expertise, the Building Canebière once housed the Pouillon-Egger agency.

Architect and urban planner Fernand Pouillon (1912–1986) was one of the great builders of France’s post-war Reconstruction era, designing 50,000 housing units as well as numerous public facilities and buildings. His work spans from Marseille to Aix-en-Provence, the Paris region (Meudon-la-Forêt Park residence, 1957; Point du Jour complex in Boulogne-Billancourt, 1959–1963), Algeria, and Iran.

His work is distinguished by harmonious integration with the site, rigorous proportions, and the use of noble materials. Pouillon also valued collaboration with sculptors, ceramicists, and landscape artists. In his approach, he combined stone, wood, and ceramics with concrete, metal, and glass, blending modern lines with vernacular inspirations while considering the culture and customs of the inhabitants.