Once past the large black wrought iron gate, the impressive building stands in a vast wooded park. A unique residence built in the eighteenth century by Baron Ponsardin, rich merchant and father of the widow Clicquot-Ponsardin. Four floors, a slate roof, a Courville stone façade classified since 1950. This house of 1267 m2 will start a new life of "residence" after having welcomed until 2022, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) of the Marne.
"This achievement requires respecting the architectural work as it was originally designed, with its majestic spaces, its beautiful high ceilings. And all this while making standard apartments. The historical study conducted allowed us to get to know this building perfectly to know how to approach housing design," explains Éric Barbarin, Managing Director of Nexity Patrimoine et valorisation.
A second project on the garden side
Work was carried out jointly with the DRAC (Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs) and the architect of the Bâtiments de France. The objective is to preserve and restore the various listed elements like the staircase of honor with its monumental wrought iron banister classified since 1920. "It's up to us to look for materials that respect the building and its time of construction. There will be no question of redividing the very large ceremonial rooms originally designed. These apartments will retain the "mansion" style. We are here to change the use of this building and guarantee its sustainability."
The delivery of the first apartments is expected in 2025. After the cleaning and asbestos removal work, the structural work should start in a few weeks. Twenty-two apartments will be built, from studios to T5, on the four levels of the Ponsardin hotel.
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A second project will be carried out on the garden side where an annex building dating from the 70s will be rehabilitated into a residence. In total, sixty-two apartments will be created in this compound, in the heart of the city. And the majesty of the visitors of yesteryear will not be forgotten, a plaque should be placed at the entrance rue Cérès to recall the history of this building and in particular the passage of Napoleon Bonaparte and his wife Joséphine in 1803. Enough to meet the expectations of heritage enthusiasts.
