Located on the Allée Charles-de-Fitte, in the Left Bank district of Toulouse, the Jacques Vion barracks will get a new look. The enormous reconversion project was officially presented by Toulouse Town Hall and it promises to open an exceptional place to all Toulouse residents, with a restaurant, a green space, a performance hall or even a coworking space... p>
A barracks soon to be transformed but saved
"As an occupation of municipal interest is not possible, a process to sell this barracks has been initiated, with the objectives of respecting the heritage interest of the site, opening it to the neighborhood and allocating new activities there.".
Built by the architect Pierre Debeaux over six years, between 1966 and 1972, the Jacques Vion barracks, belonging to the Toulouse Town Hall, were put up for sale on April 1, 2022. After weeks of uncertainty about the buyer, the verdict is in: the reconversion project will be supported by Sporting Promotion and Vinci Immobilierfor the quality and diversity of the program offered. “Their proposal ticked all the boxes”, indicated Annette Laigneau, deputy mayor in charge of heritage and urban planning during the press conference.
Sold for 14 million euros, elected officials therefore selected those who promised that "the particular jewel of architectural heritage would be perfectly respected by the project". And for good reason, the barracks and its “main remarkable buildings” were listed, in 2023, as historical monuments by the prefect Pierre-André Durand.
< h2>Here's what will change in a few years
"The inspiration of the architect, Pierre Debeaux, will be preserved", but completely modernized and arranged in 8 spaces distinct. Indeed, the current garage (= the garage) will accommodate a 900m² catering area; the old gymnasium (= the locker room) of 425m² will be transformed into an urban sports hall; the former administrative complex (= offices), with a surface area of 2270m², should serve as a coworking space for the left bank ; while a 100m² space (= the auditorium) will serve as a conference and performance room. In addition to all these facilities accessible to all, the heart of the block (= a green space) of more than 2500 m², the size of a small Saint's Square -Georges, will see the light of day.
< p>"The rehabilitation project of the Jacques Vion Fire Station provides for a program that is both hybrid and ambitious."
Different and contemporary accommodation
The future place, work on which should begin at the start of 2026, will also accommodate accommodation:
- Les Sapeurs: rehabilitation of an existing building, for a total of 96 accommodations, which will cultivate the assets of the 1970s (crossing, with balconies, etc.)
- Les Auxiliaires: construction of a building, at the rear of the site, comprising approximately 25 new housing units offered for accession, assisted accession and social rental.
- Officers: covering 920m², this space will be dedicated to housing caregivers from health establishments located nearby.
Fundamental issues to respect
"Long closed in on itself because of its current function as a barracks, this unique and symbolic place should present to the people of Toulouse, under another face, a major architectural work of the 1960s- 1970.".
For this XXL transformation, Sporting Promotion and Vinci Immobilier called on renowned architects (Coldefy and APGO) and therefore have challenges fundamental to respect. If they must preserve the tangible and intangible heritage of the Barracks Vion, they must also plant, animate and inhabit the place and open it to Toulouse residents by offering multiple uses.
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A new, unique living space, which could open in 2028, which provides for a program that is both hybrid and ambitious, all in a peaceful and green atmosphere in the heart of the Pink City.
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