The initiative aims to accelerate housing production in the city. It also offers an adaptive approach to tackle the health and climate crises we are currently living through.

A new reality for cities 

The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the way we live and work. This has had an impact on the real estate market – with offices and other commercial properties such as retail spaces becoming underutilised. 

This new reality offers an opportunity to accelerate efforts to repurpose existing buildings and turn them into sustainable housing. The acceleration will also play a significant role in mitigating the impact of the climate emergency by supporting city regeneration while limiting the GhG emissions associated with construction. 

Reinventing Paris wants to build on this momentum with a call-out for projects that will help public and private office owners to convert their unused properties. 

Submit your proposals to transform the designated sites

We are looking for developers, architects, project holders and creative minds to come together and propose innovative, green and just solutions that will transform the proposed offices into sustainable housing. 

So far, six sites have been announced (see details below) and the list is set to grow.

Submit your property

The City of Paris invites other owners, property managers and investors wishing to nominate their property for redevelopment to get in touch over the coming months. There is no deadline to this project and we encourage as many site owners to get involved. 

Together we can build momentum towards a green and just recovery for our city.

To find out more, please take a look at the consultation document, or visit the City of Paris dedicated website. You can also contact directly the City of Paris at: reinventerbureauxlogements@paris.fr

The proposed sites 

Higher education facilities – 19 rue des Bernardins (5th arrondissement)

Property of the City of Paris, the building hosts University activities Sorbonne Nouvelle Paris III. These activities will shortly be moving to the Sorbonne’s Nation site in the 12th arrondissement, leaving the building underutilized. 

The office building is in need of rehabilitation and enhancement to become ready for housing.

Details: 

• Surface: 900m²
• General objectives: significant share of social housing
• Calendar: launch of the spring / summer consultation

AP-HP headquarters, Avenue Victoria (Paris Centre)

• Surface: around 25,000m²

• General objectives: maximum 50% of the surfaces allocated to office space, and 30% for social housing as required Local Urban Plan

• Calendar: launch of the consultation by summer

Former power distribution centre, City site – 6 rue d'Aboukir (Paris Centre)

Former electrical distribution center, near the Place des Victoires. Currently, on-site activities will be maintained for the scheduled time. It is in need of rehabilitation and enhancement to make it ready for housing. 

Details:

• Surface: 5,000m²

• General objectives: significant share of social housing, component social programming will be considered (accommodation, activities). Respect for the specificities of the site

• Calendar: launch of the spring / summer consultation

PSA RETAIL garage, 62 avenue de la République (11th arrondissement)

Former Citroën car garage that’s been vacant for several months. It is part of the historic Haussmann urban landscape of the Avenue de la République.  It is in need of rehabilitation and enhancement to make it ready for housing. 

Details: 

• Surface: 6,500m²

• General objectives: 60% social housing as planned by the PLU, 20% of free housing. Rehabilitation to be preferred over majority in order to preserve the urban unity of the heart of the island

• Calendar: launch of the consultation in February

Renault garage, 29 quai de Grenelle (15th arrondissement)

A former Renault garage, the building was constructed in 1954 and has nine floors. It hosts car sales and repair areas. The site has direct views of the Eiffel Tower and the Seine. It’s an exceptional building and location ready to be rehabilitated and enhanced ready for housing.

Details: 

• Surface: 10.500m²

• General objectives: 2/3 of the programming for housing, with a share of family social housing, and specific. Rehabilitation to be preferred over the majority.

• Calendar: consultation in progress

TATI Barbès, 4 boulevard de Rochechouart (18th arrondissement)

Emblematic site of Parisian history at the end of the 19th century with the Dupont brasserie, in TATI stores from the 1950s. The transformation of this site must be part of a reasoned evolution, and in connection with the popular history of this district.

This building is an emblematic site of fin de siecle Parisian history, with the Brasserie Dupont and the 1950s Tati Store exterior. Because of its historical importance, the transformation of this site must be part of a sensitive evolution that reflects and supports the popular history of this district.

Details:

• Surface: 6,500m²

• General objectives: partly housing, and in particular social. Preferred rehabilitation for this emblematic urban complex of the Barbès district

• Calendar: consultation in progress