Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Cateland building, located at 2 rue de Saint-Cyr and 24 quai Jaÿr in the 9th arrondissement of Lyon, is an iconic early 20th century residential building. Built in 1911 by architect Emmanuel Cateland, it marks his first achievement and a major innovation: the first Lyon building entirely made of reinforced concrete. This technical choice, studied by the engineer Léon Blazin for the entrepreneur François Hennebique and made by the brothers Grangette, allows to build seven floors (30 meters) on a small plot of 85 m2, thanks to corbellations winning 20 m2 per level. His local nickname, Gratte-ciel de Lyon, testifies to his audacity for the time.

The facades of the building are distinguished by a decoration of tile mosaics embedded in the crepi, adding an aesthetic dimension to this technical prowess. Landowner, Cateland replaces a modest one-storey house with this ambitious project, combining the role of promoter and architect. The building was listed as a historic monument on 19 November 1991 for its facades and roofs, and then labeled a 20th century heritage on 10 March 2003, highlighting its importance in Lyon's architectural history.

The building illustrates the early adoption of the Hennebique system in Lyon, a revolutionary constructive method in reinforced concrete patented at the end of the 19th century. The Grangette brothers, local dealers of this process, ensure the realization, while Blazin supervises the structural calculations. This collaboration between architect, engineer and entrepreneurs reflects the innovative dynamics of the time, where the city is rapidly modernizing. The building, still visible at the corner of Saint-Cyr Street and Jaÿr Pier, remains a symbol of this transition to modern architecture.

Beyond its technical aspect, the Cateland building also embodies the social changes of Lyon at the beginning of the 20th century. Urban density, driven by projects like this one, responds to population growth and housing needs. The reinforced concrete, then perceived as a material of future, allows to reconcile height, surface economy to the ground and aesthetics, as evidenced by the ornamental faiences. These choices reflect a desire to combine functionality and art, characteristic of the Lyon School of Architecture between the two wars.

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