2.4.18

"No Address"



We can read number 7, we are on Rue Tronchet. This building is quite “different” and you ask yourself… and you find out. It dates from 1839 and has a rather Italian renaissance design, at least outside. It was built for a banker and collector, James-Alexandre de Pourthalès (1776-1855). He obviously had a collection of some 300 paintings (Rembrandt, Ingres…), sculptures… The building is referred to as Hôtel de Pourtalès.



The architect of the original building was Felix Duban (1797-1870), perhaps not so well-known, but he has left a number of remarkable buildings, especially maybe a large part of the “Ecole-des-Beaux-Arts”, including the beautiful “Palace of Studies” (see my post here). You may compare the outside decoration of the two buildings - maybe especially considering that the top floor on the Hôtel de Pourtàles obviously has been added later.

The “hotel” was occupied by the Pourthalès family for quite a while also after the death of James-Alexandre. The wife of one the sons, Mélanie de Pourthalès (1836-1914) became quite well-known as one of the leading ladies in the high society and as a close friend of the imperial couple.

After different other occupations, mostly as offices, the building was a few years ago transformed into a luxurious, very discrete, apartment hotel – no hotel sign on the outside – and referred to as "No Address". Among the foreign guests one can mention Leonardo diCaprio, Madonna, Prince…  Zlatan Ibrahimovic and family stayed here for a year or so… and this is where Kim Kardashian lost a few million dollars of jewellery.  



2 comments:

Maria Russell said...



Hi Peter,
I just love your new post. The narrative, the impeccable photos, the historical value.
Poor Ms. Kardashian, what a big scare! But, not to worry...according to one of Paris's important newspapers, what happen to her was entirely her "fault"............

I hope the weather in Paris improves! I'm arriving there in three weeks for a wedding...and dreaming of "la grisaille brumeuse" taking a little break?
Thank you so much,
Maria

Maria Russell said...

P.S.
And now...I know from where comes the inspiration for the decorative details of the historic Palmer House, my favorite hotel in Chicago.