To mark the 40th European Heritage Days, the residents of the “Building Canebière” opened the doors of their flats! Organised by our Marseilles office, the event was a great opportunity to discover in a different way a landmark building in Marseilles’ urban landscape, built in 1952 by Fernand Pouillon not far from the Old Port.
Emblematic 20th-century architecture:
With its imposing 9-storey silhouette, the Building Canebière blends classical aesthetics with modernity, its curved, clean lines hugging the corner of the street. Designated a 20th-century heritage site, the building plays an important role in the history of Marseille’s architecture. For Fernand Pouillon, designer of the iconic buildings in the Old Port, it was also a project symbolic of his vision for the city’s reconstruction.
It stands on the site of the Nouvelles Galeries de la Canebière, the city’s flagship retail centre, built in 1901 and destroyed by fire in 1938. After the Second World War, the architects Fernand Pouillon, Jean-Louis Sourdeau and René Egger came up with a new building, a “city-building” that would house a variety of uses (housing, offices, shopping arcades, etc.) for the people of Marseille.
On Saturday 16th September, Architecture de Collection South office organised a unique tour, in collaboration with a number of local residents committed to preserving and promoting their building;
Divided into small groups, clients, friends and partners of our agency were welcomed in the lobby by Carole Bernard, negotiator for the Marseille area, and Aurélien Vernant, director of Architecture de Collection. Guided by the residents, visitors were able to learn about the history of the site and the richness of the original programme, using a period model. They were then able to wander around and discover five flats, designed according to different typologies, renovated or in their original state. An opportunity to discuss, at each stage, around life in these spaces and the uses to which they are put. The visit ended with a drink with Nina, who lives on the 5th floor.
We would like to extend our warmest thanks to the inhabitants of the “Building”: Caroline, Nina, Jean-Louis, François, Marion and Stanislas, for their welcome and generosity, for sharing their knowledge and experience of this remarkable building.
The meaning of their commitment resonates with Architecture de Collection’s approach, focused on raising awareness and preserving the architectural heritage of the 20th century.
For more information about Architecture de Collection-Sud, contact us!
Since 2021, our Marseille branch, led by Noël Castinel, has been committed to promoting and transmitting modern and contemporary architecture throughout the South.
