Contemporary appartments

Situated in the heart of Marseille’s 1st arrondissement, these apartments enjoy a central and dynamic location. They are in immediate proximity to the Old Port, just a 15-minute walk from the historic Panier district and 10 minutes from Saint-Charles railway station.

The Building Canebière is very well served by public transport (Metro line M1, tramways T2 & T3, buses), and all amenities (shops, services) are within easy reach.

Within the Building Canebière, these five apartments offer numerous possibilities for reconfiguration to suit contemporary lifestyles. Their surface areas range from 30.85 sq.m to 72.12 sq.m, and some of them are adjoining.

Their main rooms, spacious and filled with natural light, allow for a variety of layouts depending on the desired uses : open-plan living spaces, the creation of sleeping areas or offices through partitioning, or the installation of a fitted kitchen.
This potential for transformation, combined with the history and emblematic character of the building, makes these apartments an exceptional opportunity.

Further information available upon request.

The Building Canebière, a nine-storey structure with clean, restrained lines, stands out in Marseille’s urban landscape. Its imposing silhouette combines classical aesthetics with modernity. Its curved façade, adorned with regular railings, opens onto the street while softening the building’s corner.
Recognized as 20th-century Heritage, this building embodies the architectural principles characteristic of Fernand Pouillon. It illustrates the architect’s focus on residential comfort, his pursuit of natural light, his optimization of space, and his commitment to the well-being of occupants. This project also represents a symbolic work of his urban vision for the Reconstruction period.

Built on the site of the former Nouvelles Galeries de la Canebière, an emblem of Marseille’s retail trade constructed in 1901 and flourishing until its destruction by fire in 1938, the building was designed after the Second World War. Architects Fernand Pouillon, Jean-Louis Sourdeau, and René Egger conceived it as a “vertical city.” Innovative in its time, this reinforced concrete building, structured on a regular horizontal grid, was designed for a multiplicity of uses. It integrates housing, offices, and a shopping arcade, responding to the needs of Marseille’s residents. Acting as a showcase for the architects and a testament to their expertise, the Building Canebière also housed the Pouillon-Egger agency for a time.

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

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