Renovation of the Montparnasse Tower: a first meeting to try to unblock the project

The renovation of the Montparnasse Tower remains contingent on the resolution of conflicts between its co-owners. Meeting on Monday, July 27th, at the initiative of the Mayor of Paris, Emmanuel Grégoire, several of them began a first phase of discussions aimed at bridging their differences.

The previous week, the co-owners of Paris's tallest skyscraper had approved preparations for asbestos removal work. However, the launch of this first phase was contingent upon the resolution of internal disagreements between certain parties.

A disagreement over the future hotel

The main sticking point concerns the floors intended to house a hotel. Owned by several co-owners, these spaces are the subject of disagreements regarding their joint operation and potential exchanges of space.

Exchanges of space located on other floors and the abandonment of legal proceedings are also among the conditions set to allow the start of construction.

During the meeting, Emmanuel Grégoire "listened" and "understood a number of problems," reports Frédéric Lemos, one of the co-owners present.

The entourage of the mayor of Paris confirms that a second meeting will be organized.

"The meeting laid the groundwork," a source close to the mayor of Paris told AFP.

The town hall also mentions "a shared desire to work calmly and away from media pressure."

"The mayor of Paris wanted us to meet again at the end of the summer and that until then the co-owners should work together in good collective intelligence," continues Frédéric Lemos, former president of the tower's management council.

A building permit that expires at the end of November

The timeline is now one of the project's main constraints. The building permit expires at the end of November, which means work must begin before then. Otherwise, the project will have to be completely re-examined before a new permit application can be submitted.

Emmanuel Grégoire "is aware that this is a private project," in which the municipality can hardly intervene in internal negotiations. He "has positioned himself as the guarantor of the interests of Parisians, given that this project is highly visible." adds Frédéric Lemos.

A cost revised to 800 million euros

Under study since 2015, the renovation project plans to transform the Montparnasse Tower into a glass building with landscaped terraces. The project is intended to include a hotel, shops and services, as well as a rooftop greenhouse.

The overall cost of the project has increased significantly since its presentation. Initially estimated at 300 million euros in 2017, it has now reached 800 million euros according to the latest estimate.