From reinvented apartments to repurposed attics, original living spaces are increasingly sought after.
“The Côte d’Azur has an outstanding architectural heritage that includes a vast array of dwellings. This constitutes a precious inheritance in which Belle Epoque and Art Deco styles are very evident,” enthuses Jérôme Louis, codirector with Hadrien Mondoloni of the Nice branch of Espaces Atypiques. To these historic buildings are added all the recent constructions, the modern and international-style architect’s villas, and more singular premises such as old farm houses, carpenter’s workshops and even churches. The Espaces Atypiques chain launched in Paris 10 years ago now has no less than 32 agencies including the Nice one, which opened a year ago. Its mission is to search out buildings with a high potential for repurposing or renovation so buyers can turn them into functional modern homes. “Nowadays there’s no lack of interior design publications and building work isn’t so expensive; the market is booming because the supply is plentiful but also because the idea is in tune with the global trend for wanting to live better, differently,” Louis points out, concluding that: “Seen as habitat anthropology, our role is to perfectly comprehend what our clients are seeking, their way of life, their hobbies and their family structure, so as to direct them
as accurately as possible to a home that suits them.” The rest is down to impulse.
Par Eve Chatelet
Côteweb 2021, création de site Internet sur Nice