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TRANSFORMED INTO A HIGH-END HOTEL, THE FORMER SCALBERT-DUPONT BANK OPENS ITS DOORS IN LILLE
A26 signs another exemplary metamorphosis! After three years of major redevelopment work, supervised by us, the new Lille Les Augustins establishment of the family-owned Oceania Hotels has just opened its doors. The building, an iconic part of Lille's heritage, was designed in the early 1930s to house the former head office of the Scalbert-Dupont bank.
The hotel now boasts 87 rooms, lounges and work areas, as well as a bathing area in the middle of the vault, which has been converted into a wellness area. The hotel is also the first renovation project to be awarded the Lille Bas Carbone label.
Credit A26
A UNIQUE DESTINATION IN THE HEART OF METROPOLITAN LILLE
The new Oceania Lille Les Augustins hotel welcomed its first guests at the beginning of June. Situated between the city's two railway stations, the hotel boasts 87 rooms, each with its own unique character.
"When we work on a project like this, we analyze the configuration of the building to identify its potential and adapt the project," explains Laurence Goardon, associate architect, hospitality department.
"What could have been a constraint quickly turned into an opportunity: each room is unique, which promises a renewed experience on every visit."
In terms of ambience and decoration, A26 and the Oceania Group have taken inspiration from the world of banking to create intimate spaces that allow guests to project themselves into the history of the place. The play of light, the choice of colors such as deep green and the use of natural materials all contribute to the atmosphere and personality of the hotel.
There are six room categories, from Confort to Suite, some with bow windows overlooking the city's rooftops, the inner patio or the hotel's historic ironwork.
AMA Studio / Garance Dumon
Close to the two railway stations, the lobby-bar, lounges and work areas are open to hotel guests and visitors alike. A coworking space and two meeting rooms can accommodate up to 20 people for individual business meetings. Lounges on either side of the huge brass and green marble bar in the middle of the lobby also offer the chance to relax and enjoy a more confidential moment.
Finally, all the ground-floor spaces face a landscaped patio featuring tall trees and local species. Vegetated terraces and climbing plants along the brick walls complete this garden in the heart of Lille. This oasis is part of the Lille Bas Carbone initiative and offers a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Credit A26
THE VAULT CONVERTED INTO A WELLNESS AREA
The centerpiece of the establishment is the basement, where the bank's former vault once stood. Oceania Hotels decided to transform it into a wellness area featuring a spa, sauna, fitness room and massage salon.
Above all, a swimming pool has been built in the middle of the safes. The promise of a unique experience for hotel guests. The special ambience of the place is accentuated by the safes displayed like jewels in showcases all around the pool.
The conversion of the vault was facilitated by its original purpose, as the architect explains: "During our studies, we discovered that the room was surrounded by a gallery. This water-filled structure protected the room from intruders: all the guards had to do was keep an eye on the water level and they would be alerted as soon as a tunnel pierced the gallery. This infrastructure provided all the necessary connections to the water space in a very dense basement. We always seek to transform constraints into opportunities, and this project is a perfect example of our approach".
For Laurence Goardon: "Today, we no longer go to a hotel for one function, one use, one need. It's a living space that opens up to different temporalities: we work there, we meet for leisure and business, with friends and family. Oceania Lille Les Augustins embodies this new type of destination. More than a hotel, we can speak of hospitality".
Credit A26