Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The building located at 16 avenue de Versailles, in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, is a building built during the 3rd quarter of the 20th century. It is distinguished by architectural elements protected since 2023, including its facades, roofs, an upper terrace with verandas, a courtyard accessible by a staircase, as well as concrete gardeners and a pergola. These features reflect a particular focus on the integration of functional and aesthetic exterior spaces into the Parisian residential architecture of that time.

The avenue de Versailles, on which this building is located, is a historic route of Paris, formerly called the Versailles Road or the Queen's Road. It was incorporated into the capital in 1860 during the annexation of Auteuil, and was later listed in the Paris road in 1863. This 2,080 km long avenue connects Place Clément-Ader to the Saint-Cloud Gate and has hosted several remarkable buildings, some of which are Art Deco-style or signed by renowned architects such as Hector Guimard. The building on 16 avenue de Versailles is thus part of an urban environment marked by an architectural and historical mix.

The protection of the building by order of 19 September 2023 specifically concerns its common areas (vestibulum, stairs, stairwell) as well as external elements such as the garage windows and stairs leading to the courtyard. These provisions underline the heritage value of the building, designed by architect Paul Branche. The inclusion of this building in the Mérimée base and its precise location (cadastre park section CB, n°17) confirm its importance in the contemporary Parisian architectural landscape.

Although the source text does not detail the original uses of the building, its configuration (garage, terraces, elaborate common spaces) suggests a residential standing destination, typical of the 20th century achievements in the affluent areas of western Paris. The presence of bas-reliefs or decorative elements, such as the one representing Hercules fighting the hydra of Lerne on the facade of a nearby building (No. 16), could indicate a desire for artistic embellishment in this area, although this specific element does not directly concern 16 avenue de Versailles.

The architect Paul Branche, who is mentioned as the project manager, is associated with this project, but the available sources do not provide additional information about his career or other achievements. The recent protection (2023) of the building shows growing interest in preserving the architectural heritage of the twentieth century, often underrepresented in traditional rankings. This building thus illustrates the evolution of heritage criteria towards more contemporary periods.

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