In a picturesque corner of Paris’ 14th arrondissement, the tranquil Rue des Thermopyles, known for its cobblestone streets, green arches, and former artist studios, is facing a significant transformation.
Two of these iconic artist spaces are set to be converted into large, furnished tourist apartments, a move that has stirred concerns among local residents about the future character of their neighborhood.
The project, spearheaded by the Terrot real estate group, aims to turn the two rundown studios into five independent apartments, capable of accommodating between six and twelve guests each, totaling 46 beds.
These apartments, nestled in a private courtyard behind two three-story buildings, will cater to the growing demand for short-term tourist rentals in the city. However, this development has raised alarms among nearby residents who fear the area will become overrun with tourists, disrupting its calm and historic charm.
“We’re afraid we’re going to become a location for bachelor parties,” said Nicolas Laruelle, a local resident who, along with others in the community, is part of the Cœur d’îlot Thermopyles collective.
The group has been advocating for the preservation of the area’s character and trying to halt the transformation of the artist studios into tourist accommodations. Despite their efforts, the project has been approved, and there seems to be little that can be done to reverse the decision.
The saga began two years ago when the Terrot group purchased the two plots, located behind the addresses 37 and 37a Rue des Thermopyles.
The residents soon discovered that these properties were not as protected under the local urban planning regulations as the surrounding area, leaving them vulnerable to potential development.
Although discussions with urban planning services and the 14th arrondissement town hall followed, the residents’ request to classify the two plots for preservation was met with limited success.
At a council meeting on November 12, a new classification proposal was presented that would restrict the building height to seven meters, an increase of two meters over the current limit.
While this would provide some environmental benefits, such as encouraging the greening of parts of the plots, it failed to alleviate concerns about potential changes to the area’s residential and historical integrity.
The residents’ apprehension intensified at the end of October, when they learned that the two studios were to be renovated into large tourist apartments, catering to the booming short-term rental market.
The project, which had been submitted to the urban planning department in June, was tacitly approved in August, as per standard procedure for preliminary building declarations.
Since the studios were classified as “commercial and service activity” spaces, there was no requirement for a change in the buildings’ designation, allowing the new owner to convert them into tourist accommodations without the need for additional permits or community consultation.
This decision has drawn criticism, particularly given the City of Paris’ stance against the proliferation of short-term tourist rentals, often associated with Airbnb.
Despite the city’s policies, the conversion of these former artist studios into commercial tourist properties seems to be entirely within legal bounds, leaving residents frustrated and powerless to block the development.
For those living on Rue des Thermopyles, the decision marks the loss of a cherished part of Paris’ artistic heritage.
What was once a quiet, residential haven for artists and locals alike will soon become another destination for tourists, raising questions about the balance between preserving the city’s cultural history and meeting the growing demand for tourism-driven development. As the project progresses, the debate over the future of Paris’ historic neighborhoods continues.
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