52 Champs-Élysées bears witness to the avenue’s development as a business district between the two world wars. Designed by André Arfvidson on the former site of the Hôtel de Massa, the building was completed in 1932 for the National City Bank. It is organised around the corner of the Champs-Élysées and rue La Boétie, with a grand banking hall for the American bank, a ground-floor arcade and three floors of offices — following the then-novel model of the American-style “building”. On the roof terrace, the bank laid out a pavilion and a garden. 52 Champs illustrates the transition between the eclectic architecture of the late nineteenth century and the Art Deco style.
Parisians have an ambivalent view of the Champs-Élysées: the tourist success of “the most beautiful avenue in the world” has tarnished its image. The City is working to renew the avenue’s appeal, and this renovation will help restore the lustre of this iconic boulevard.
An architectural history to bring out
Successive works campaigns disrupted the appearance of 52 Champs — notably in the 1930s, with the installation of a Prisunic store and a cinema, and then in the 1960s, when the arcade and the terrace fittings were destroyed or altered beyond recognition. In the late 1980s, with the departure of the National City Bank and the arrival of the Virgin Megastore, major works were carried out on the interiors, the façade and the extension of the retail space. As the building no longer meets current standards, a heavy redevelopment was needed — while highlighting and restoring its heritage features, in particular the grand staircase and the interior décor of the National City Bank, with its monumental vases, palmette wall-lights, balusters, marble facings and woodwork by Jacques-Émile Ruhlmann. The remarkable façade joinery by Raymond Subes is being reinstated. The majestic gate at the entrance to the arcade on the Champs is being restored, its design becoming the model for the new gates. The bays and shopfronts are being reworked in a simplified design. The distribution of the programme is clarified: retail from the basement to the second floor, and offices from the third to the seventh.
Mixed use and the challenges of office space
This mixed-use ensemble of offices, retail and leisure spaces moves towards a city that combines uses. The retail presence on the Champs-Élysées is so dominant that the chosen approach was to develop a discreet, elegant office programme, with a dedicated reception level above the shops. The flexibility of the floor plates makes it possible to accommodate various kinds of workspace — adaptable, bright and comfortable. As management styles shift towards creativity and informality, the shared spaces are numerous and of high quality. An unusual dining offer is provided on the third floor, in a refined yet relaxed bistro spirit. On the same floor, an accessible terrace is enhanced with ornamental planting.
A hanging garden on the Champs
The outdoor spaces of 52 Champs are transformed — reopened to the public and planted. They contribute to users’ wellbeing while strengthening the wider ecosystem. The terraces were cluttered with disused technical equipment, which has been removed, relocated or concealed by the landscaping. Broad open areas have been cleared to create a hanging garden. Its bucolic route alternates between flowering meadows, beds of aromatic plants and shrubby zones. The domed pavilion is being renovated and complemented by a contemporary addition. Emerging from this country-style walk, the visitor discovers a rooftop bar with exceptional views. A luxury restaurant occupies the rest of the terrace, where a greenhouse is set up for exclusive receptions. These rare spaces contribute to the identity and image of 52 Champs.
