Paris: a former Citroën showroom transforms into a rooftop with a panoramic view near the Champs-Élysées

In a Paris where every street corner seems to have its own story to tell, it is almost comical to see how an old car showroom transforms into a pretentious rooftop, buzzing with life just steps away from the Champs-Élysées. The former Citroën showroom, which was the meeting place for fans of the DS and other automotive wonders, is set to become a place where FinTech employees will lounge like cows grazing in the sun. When was the last time an office worker had the chance to have lunch while contemplating a panoramic view of the City of Light? Strange, isn’t it? But there you go, times are changing, and the Citroën of yesteryear is about to become an icon of another kind. Goodbye cars, hello laptops!

A transformation that leaves much to be desired

The building at 32 rue Marbeuf has truly undergone a flamboyant facelift. Forget the tackiness of the 1930s, as this emblematic building will house 10,800 square meters of bright office space, sprinkled with terraces where you can pretend to relax — all with a view that would make the latest trendy rooftop blush with envy. Three years of work, and here we are, the architects have succeeded in concocting a "pleasant" space, or rather a contemporary design enclosure for the new digital workers. Of course, the word “friendliness” is on everyone's lips, as if to announce that coffee breaks will never be the same again.

Our dear friends in technology

As the exhausted automotive company mourns the loss of its cars in favor of the era of remote work, imagine for a moment these new occupants pressing their fingers on their keyboards while the sun shines on the Parisian rooftops. Gone is the smell of gasoline, replaced by the aromas of local cafés and fashionable conversations, fueled by bubbles of enthusiasm for the next start-up that will change the world, or at least try. Covid-19 had its say and redefined the office space, pushing the French outdoors like hungry dogs freed from their kennels. But must every office truly be trendy with terraces of 1,700 square meters?

A sense of nostalgia on every floor

Looking at this building, it is hard not to be carried away by nostalgia. Come on, who remembers the old Citroën models displayed here, almost like works of art in a car museum? It’s almost as if history has been traded for ephemeral design — a bit like those succulent terraces which, although impressive, are fleeting as well. Philippe Chiambaretta, the architect behind this transformation, assures that every pathway is intended to encourage exchanges. One can already imagine him, gathered around a coffee admiring his creation, delighting in the sound of laughter and small conversations taking place in the shade of the charming arches. Tell me, where have the cars gone?

The “I work but I wander” atmosphere

Balconies have become the new offices, terraces are the new meeting rooms, and stairs, it seems, are now mere conversation spaces. “A Chambord staircase,” he calls it, as if climbing a few steps could reverse the boredom at work. Times are changing, but what about the Parisian culture, often shoved into the antiques section? Swapping anecdotes about the old Citroën showroom, which was home to so many automotive dreams, for discussions about the latest trends in gastronomy and technology presents a striking contrast.

In this new version of the building, friendliness seems to be the order of the day, as although the panoramic view of Paris is breathtaking, the feeling of having traded the glorious past of an automobile manufacturer for a flashy and modern office space leaves a bitter taste. In place of roaring engines, the melody of clattering keyboards nourishes a new generation of workers. A little melancholic, isn’t it? But after all, Paris, the city of love and innovation, may not be ready to say goodbye to its automotive roots. In a few years, who knows, perhaps someone will discover the secret of the rooftops where cars once reigned supreme.

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