Les Ateliers Gaîté

Les Ateliers Gaîté (lit. 'Gaîté Workshops') is a mixed use complex in the 14th arrondissement of Paris, France. Located in the broader Montparnasse area, the 1.5 acre ensemble takes its name from the Gaîté (lit. 'Cheerfulness') neighborhood its sits in, a reference to the many entertainment venues that once existed in the vicinity.

Îlot Vandamme Nord

The original version of the complex was named îlot Vandamme Nord (lit. 'North Vandamme Block'), after a section of fr:rue Vandamme, which was replaced by the current rue du Commandant-René-Mouchotte during the area's redevelopment.[1] It was sometimes just called îlot Gaîté. The majority of the buildings were built between 1972 and 1976, and designed by architect Pierre Dufau. The venture was led by real estate developer Joseph Vaturi of Société Overseas Development France (SODEFRA). The budget was projected at FRF 120 million in 1969.[2] It has been the property of current owner Unibail-Rodamco (today Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield) since 1998.[3]

2017–22 remodel as Les Ateliers Gaîté

A strategy committee for the rehabilitation of Montparnasse was formed in 2005 as a joint venture between various local and regional governments,[18] but few tangible initiatives came out of it.[22] It was re-announced in 2015[23] with the "Montparnasse 2020" plan, which included an extensive rebuild of îlot Vandamme Nord and a reorganization of the nearby railway station.[20] Concurrently, Dutch agency MVRDV received formal approval to oversee the former, under the direction of co-founder Winy Maas. The same firm had already worked on a refresh of Lyon's La Part-Dieu, another emblematic 1970s complex owned by Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield.[24][25] The total cost of the Vandamme Nord makeover was evaluated at €500 million.[26][27][28]

The hotel and mall were remodeled, with the latter taking over one floor of the underground car park, which was scaled down from 2500 to approximately 1500 spots. The mall now spans 28,800 m2[29] across three floors, and houses 65 retail outlets.[30] A 4,000 m2 food court[29] was also fitted out. With room for 25 food and beverage outlets, 800 patrons on the main floor and 300 more on a terrace,[27] it was billed as the largest food court in Europe at the time of its 2022 delivery.[31] The office floors located above the mall were rebuilt and expanded into a new 6-storey[29] volume, offering a cumulative surface of circa 13,000 m2.[26]

To secure the city of Paris' approval, URW agreed to contribute new and improved public service facilities to the complex.[22][32][33] The library, previously located underground, was moved to a two-storey volume at and above street level, using space previously occupied by a bowling alley and spanning 600 m2.[25][28] Additionally, it was renamed Bibliothèque Benoîte Groult in honor of the recently deceased author.[34] A new 7-storey building was added to the ensemble, featuring a 630 m2 kindergarten[31] and sixty-two social housing units totaling 4530 m2, built using a wooden framework, ostensibly for improved environmental sustainability.

other names	îlot Vandamme Nord îlot Gaité
location	Paris, 14th arrondissement
address	Rue du Commandant-René-Mouchotte Rue Vercingétorix Avenue du Maine
status	In activity
constructed	1972–76 (îlot Vandamme Nord) 2017–22 (Ateliers Gaîté)
use	Residential Hospitality Retail Corporate administration Public services
main contractor	Eiffage (2017–22 remodel)
architect	Pierre Dufau (original) Winy Maas (2017–20 remodel)
owner	Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield
manager	Accor (hotel)
cost	FRF 120 million (îlot Vandamme Nord) €500 million (Les Ateliers Gaîté)
buildings	Pullman Paris Montparnasse Hotel Galerie Gaîté Gymnase Mouchotte Les Balcons de Montparnasse Tour Le Héron
gross leasable area	85,000 m2 (îlot Vandamme Nord) 106,000 m2 (Les Ateliers Gaîté)

Les Ateliers Gaîté

Îlot Vandamme Nord

Hotel

Le Petit Journal Montparnasse/Jazz Café Montparnasse

Other facilities

2017–22 remodel as Les Ateliers Gaîté

Defunct venues

Ice Rink

Others

External links

References