Extendam retrofits a former business centre into an apart-hotel in Boulogne-Billancourt
With the acquisition of a 770 square-metre office building on avenue André Morizet in Boulogne-Billancourt, Extendam has launched an urban retrofit with a new partner: the WS Group and its Work & Sleep brand. The building will be transformed into a Work & Sleep residence offering short- and long-stay accommodation with corporate DNA. This urban retrofit will transform the underused and obsolete building into a serviced 41-apartment residence set to open in 2024.
From office building to apart-hotel 2.0
The under-occupied, six-storey office building located near two lively streets, Route de la Reine and Boulevard Jean Jaurès, and to Boulogne-Billancourt’s council offices, no longer met market needs.
The combined expertise of Extendam and the WS Group will revive the building in a hybrid format that nomadic workers will be able to call home for a night, a week or a month. The innovative mixed-use office and hotel concept is underpinned by the increase in professional mobility and a growing demand for accessible, affordable and connected accommodation.
In 2024, the 41 apartments, equipped with connectivity prerequisites and a compact kitchen, will not only offer cleaning, laundry, breakfast and security but also services such as travel bookings. In addition, the building boasts its own garden where guests can take a break between meetings.
The transformation fits seamlessly with Boulogne-Billancourt’s ongoing momentum and identified needs. In terms of job creation, the town is one of the most attractive in the western suburbs of Paris. The new establishment is close to metro lines 9 and 10, the Parc des Princes football stadium, the Seine Musicale concert venue, the Roland-Garros tennis complex and the Paris Longchamp racecourse. WS Group’s expertise lies in the creation of its brand-new concept, which addresses market needs and new ways of working.
“This building is a perfect example of how the town can adapt to change. In 1928, the address belonged to the Hotel Marius, which was destroyed during the war. In the 1960s, a new building started out as commercial floor space before being recycled into offices. The currently under-occupied building will be revived as an apart-hotel residence,” explain John Hewitt and Alexandre Guérin, respectively Real Estate Manager and Investment Project Executive at Extendam.
“This establishment will carry the WS brand. It is the 38th asset under the WS banner in the greater Paris region and is a reflection of the brand’s ongoing development since its creation in 2016. The Work & Sleep concept created by WS Group addresses high demand for flexibility and meets business guests’ post-Covid expectations. This asset will undergo an estimated 18-month retrofit to reposition it,” explain Raphaël Madar and Sébastien Méjean, respectively Managing Director and Chairman of the WS Group.
“To meet our environmental objectives, we will transform the building to give it a purpose that fits perfectly with current and future requirements. The project is as much about energy rehabilitation as it is about urban regeneration. We are delighted to address the urgent requirement to rebuild cities from the inside out, work with what already exists and optimise the use of every constructed square metre,” conclude Jean-Marc Palhon and Bertrand Pullès, respectively Chairman and Deputy Managing Director of Extendam.