In the heart of the Musicians’ Quarter, this building constructed between 1924 and 1926 by architect Charles Dalmas has undergone a spectacular restoration and stands as a testament to the flourishing of Art Deco in Nice. The restoration work has revealed the friezes and painted decorations that were covered during a previous renovation, re-anchoring the Pergola in the city’s rich architectural heritage.
The Pergola is located in the heart of the so-called “modern” city, urbanized between 1910 and 1930. Rising from the ground in just a few years, the Musicians’ Quarter quickly became a bustling hub of Art Deco creations. The building embodies the architectural effervescence of this recent urbanization, which saw painters, artisans, and architects collaborating.
Completed in 1926, the Pergola is distinguished mainly by its colorful ornamentation, harmoniously blending modern techniques with traditional ornamentation. The traditional fresco technique interacts here with the modernity of colored concrete, a new coating that supplants lime plaster. The building’s corner, set back, is marked by oriel windows with wrought iron railings that differ from one floor to another, a rare detail in apartment buildings. In addition to the frescoes and the care given to the railings, the Pergola is characterized by its magnificently adorned door with glazed ceramic tesserae depicting colorful floral and plant motifs, the only elements that had not been concealed.
A Spectacular Renovation
In 2016, a major renovation revealed the entire original ornamental envelope, which had been covered by a dull, uniform coating. Supported by the co-ownership and the municipality, the restoration work was carried out by the company Ad Affresco, specialized in the restoration and enhancement of architectural and artistic heritage.
Thus, the ochre brilliance of the facade, the aubergine pergola, the yellow floral motifs outlined in black, the green foliage, and the blue background of the friezes enhanced with touches of gold were revealed, restoring the Pergola to its former splendor. These elements, engraved in the fresh plaster using a technique that is part fresco, part sgraffito, and reproduced identically thanks to meticulous stratigraphic analysis, give the building an unexpected visual richness. The concrete base, smoothed and inlaid with mother-of-pearl, benefits from a technique similar to that used for the concrete of the Gloria Mansion.
Photo Credit: © Elisabeth Rossolin
Charles Dalmas
Charles Dalmas is a major figure in the architecture of Nice and the Côte d’Azur. Trained at the École des Arts Décoratifs de Nice and then at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, he was a student of Victor Laloux. Returning to Nice to practice, he quickly became a renowned architect, developing an elegant style that combined classicism and modernity in a constant quest for harmony with the local environment.
The architect played a key role in the transformation of Nice with achievements such as the Winter Palace (1900) and the Grand Palais (1911). Although particularly known for his luxury hotels, such as the Hôtel Royal (1905) and the Palais de la Méditerranée (1929) in Nice, as well as the famous Carlton (1912) and Miramar (1928) in Cannes, he also designed numerous villas, notably in St Jean Cap Ferrat for private clients.
Involved in nearly 200 projects, including many apartment buildings, he profoundly influenced the urban environment of downtown Nice. In 1904, he rebuilt the École des Arts Décoratifs de Nice, where he taught, demonstrating his commitment to the training of future architects.
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