Montparnasse Tower: Asbestos removal project put to a vote despite conflicts between co-owners

The suspensive conditions have still not been met.

At a previous general meeting, the start of the demolition and asbestos removal work had been conditional on the resolution of the disagreements between several co-owners of the Montparnasse tower.

The discussions focused primarily on the floors intended to house a hotel. Owned by several co-owners, these spaces require an agreement on their joint operation or on possible exchanges of units.

The parties had given themselves until July 31, 2026 to find a solution. Discussions concerning other floors and the withdrawal of several legal appeals were also among the prerequisites for starting construction.

On Friday, the condominium board noted that these "suspensive conditions (...) have not been met." However, it clarified that this situation "does not interrupt either the ongoing operations or the work undertaken on the next steps."

A new vote is planned for the start of the new academic year.

The actual commencement of the works will now require a new decision from the co-owners.

"A resolution concerning the commencement of the clearing and asbestos removal work will be placed on the agenda of a general meeting convened in the fall."
the Montparnasse tower's union council stated in a press release sent to Agence France-Presse.

This time, the press release does not mention any conditions precedent to the vote. However, the summer is to be devoted to continuing discussions between the various parties.

"The co-owners have agreed to use the summer to consider the possible options and developments (land-related, programmatic and technical) in order to resolve the project and continue the dynamic transformation of the tower and the neighborhood."
indicates the union council.

A test site and an ongoing assessment

While awaiting the general meeting, a pilot project dedicated to asbestos removal is underway. This will allow for the evaluation of intervention methods before undertaking a larger-scale asbestos removal operation.

A comprehensive diagnostic study is also being prepared. Its results should allow for a more precise estimate of the cost of the work by the end of August 2026.

The mayor of Paris, Emmanuel Grégoire, met with the main co-owners on Monday, July 27. According to the press release, he called on them to find solutions to the existing difficulties and scheduled a follow-up meeting after the summer.

The facade has been secured after the windows fell.

These discussions come after glass panels detached from the facade on Sunday, July 26. A safety perimeter was established at the foot of the tower, and elements posing a risk of falling were removed.

This incident adds an immediate safety concern to the technical, financial and land-related difficulties surrounding the renovation of this high-rise building.

A renovation project now estimated at 800 million euros

Under study since 2015, the transformation of the Montparnasse Tower includes replacing its current exterior with a glass facade, creating landscaped terraces, and developing a hotel, shops, and services. An agricultural greenhouse is also planned for the top of the building.

The project's estimated cost has increased significantly since its initial presentation. Initially estimated at €300 million in 2017, it has now reached €800 million according to the latest figures.

Image illustrating the article via Depositphotos.com.