The Michaud bookstore and stationery store was a real institution in the city of Sacres. Located in one of the most prestigious buildings in the city, built in 1924 in an Art Deco style, the business has closed its doors since 2001. The name of the owner, Léon Michaud, is still inscribed on the pink facade decorated with sculptures. If the ground floor and first floor were reserved for commerce, and a major decoration brand was established until 2015, the rest was reserved for housing. Now, only the Flying Tiger sign still occupies the right corner of the building.
Oak parquet floors, moldings, marble fireplaces, the post-Haussmann style apartments are spread over the three floors above with a wrought iron stairwell. And they had been abandoned for more than 20 years. The building has just changed ownership thanks to the transaction carried out by the Arrow Reims agency. “It’s a very symbolic building for the people of Rémois. It wasn’t easy, I was lucky because I arrived at the right time. Many professionals had tried to buy this property in vain. The owners were not sellers but the building was starting to deteriorate and this is what motivated their choice,” explains Antoine Vicart, manager of the Arrow Reims agency.
Housing by 2025
The other motivation is undoubtedly the personality of the buyer, who wishes to remain anonymous, but defines himself as a lover of architectural heritage. This Rémois has only one thing in mind: to restore this building to its former glory. “The building is well established, we are not going to revolutionize it or revamp it,” assures the real estate agent. It just needs to be refreshed. »
The front of the building will therefore remain the same, but the rehabilitation work which has just started will revive the facade and its original color. “The entire slate roof will be redone and the facades treated with lime. We will keep the same pink appearance to preserve the shades of the time. All the windows will also be replaced with wooden frames,” lists the real estate agent.
Finally, it is planned that the place will become a lively site with food shops, including a possible restaurant. As for the housing, it could be available by the end of 2025. In total, 15 to 18 housing units of 25 to 200 m2 will be put on the market.
