The transformation of the former Hôtel Provençal in Cap d’Antibes is nearing completion, with luxury developer John Caudwell now focused on securing a world-class chef to helm its highly anticipated fine dining restaurant. Speaking with Monaco Life’s Cassandra Tanti, Caudwell explains the vision behind this incredible renovation and why only a top-tier restaurant, capable of rivalling the finest on the Riviera, will do.
Le Provençal is an iconic Art Deco building that stands at the entrance to Cap d’Antibes on the Juan-les-Pins side, around three kilometres from the legendary Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc and Billionaires’ Bay (Baie des Milliardaires) on the tip of the peninsula. Originally constructed between 1926 and 1927 by architect Lucien Stable for American millionaire Frank Jay Gould, the former Hôtel Provençal was widely known as one of the French Riviera’s most exclusive destinations in its day.
Its original restaurant played host to some of the most celebrated figures of the 20th century, including Ernest Hemingway, Sir Winston Churchill, the Duchess of Windsor and Charlie Chaplin. It was also here that F. Scott Fitzgerald found inspiration for his final novel, Tender is the Night. The hotel’s guest list reads like a Who’s Who of cultural and political luminaries, with Marilyn Monroe, Estée Lauder, Coco Chanel, Pablo Picasso, Marlene Dietrich, Jackie Kennedy, Paul McCartney and Ella Fitzgerald among its many illustrious visitors.
After changing ownership in 1972, the hotel closed in 1977 for planned renovations that never materialised. Decades of failed redevelopment efforts followed until John Caudwell acquired the property in 2012 for an undisclosed sum.
“I’d seen it sitting there, derelict, for 20 or 30 years and always thought, What an amazing place,” Caudwell tells Monaco Life. “It dominates that part of the coastline at the entrance to Cap d’Antibes, and I always thought it should be restored. Work had actually started under Cyril Dennis, but when the financial crash hit in 2008, everything stopped. I decided to take it on, and the rest is history.”
Following a full-scale gutting of the building and extensive structural reinforcements—“There’s almost nothing left of the original building except for the exterior walls”—the long-anticipated restoration is now in its final phase, with residents set to move in this summer.
The luxury residential project, with a projected value of €360 million, will feature 41 high-end residences, including lateral apartments, penthouses and villas, ranging in price from €3 million to €40 million. According to Caudwell, around 75% of the residences are still for sale and are expected to sell upon completion of the project in May.
The development also boasts Art Deco-styled communal areas, a cinema, a health spa, six boutique retail spaces and landscaped gardens surrounding a 30-metre swimming pool.
“It has been a labour of love and it gives me immense pride to restore Le Provençal to its former glory—though, in truth, it will be even more luxurious than the original,” reveals Caudwell.
Michelin-star ambitions for the Riviera’s next premier dining spot
A standout feature of the redevelopment is the 100-seat fine dining restaurant, spanning 310 square metres of elegant interior space alongside two expansive terraces for alfresco dining. The restaurant is positioned on the Boulevard Edouard Baudoin, opposite the five-star Hôtel Belles Rives and Square Frank Jay Gould, with the Bay of Golfe-Juan as a stunning backdrop.
Caudwell, the British businessman, philanthropist and founder of Caudwell, has grand ambitions for this dining venue.
“Our vision is to have a three Michelin-starred restaurateur make it one of the finest dining destinations on the French Riviera,” he says. “The restaurant offering is perfect for a discerning Michelin-starred restaurateur or a luxury dining brand and will be one of the most glamourous dining venues on the Riviera to visit and be seen.”
His shortlist of dream collaborators includes Gordon Ramsay, Alain Ducasse, Hélène Darroze, Heston Blumenthal, Eric Ripert and Thomas Keller.
“I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing the work of many of these chefs,” Caudwell tells Monaco Life. “Heston Blumenthal actually once cooked for me at George Michael’s house.”
Monaco’s renowned MayaBay restaurant is also mentioned as a potential partner, reflecting Caudwell’s deep connection to Monaco, where he maintains both a personal residence and active philanthropic engagements.
Should a multi-Michelin-starred chef not take the lead, Caudwell is open to partnering with a top-tier culinary professional.
“It could be called ‘La Caudwell’, which I envisage would be a very prestigious venue given my exceptionally high standards and commitment to delivering the very best cuisine and outstanding hospitality to the clientele,” he says.
A legacy of real estate excellence
Caudwell’s ventures in luxury real estate extend beyond Le Provençal. He has also transformed the hotel’s former tennis club into Domaine de la Belle Étoile, an exclusive private estate featuring a main villa, two guesthouses, staff apartments and expansive landscaped grounds. The property is currently on the market and is expected to sell for more than €70 million.
In London, Caudwell is overseeing the development of 1 Mayfair, a £2 billion residential project in the heart of the city’s prestigious Mayfair district. Set to be completed in about 18 months, the development will feature 29 ultra-luxury residences, with prices starting at £35 million.
So how does one transition from leading a telecommunications empire to shaping some of the world’s most exclusive real estate?
Reflecting on his journey from mobile services with Phones 4u to high-end property development, Caudwell explains, “Business is business. I have an instinct for it, regardless of the industry. Success comes down to making the right decisions, setting high standards, finding the best people, and keeping them motivated. Property development, however, operates at a very different pace from mobile phones. The phone industry moves by the second, while real estate is a slower burn where timing is everything.”
From luxury property development, to securing a future for children
Beyond real estate, Caudwell is highly regarded for his philanthropy, having pledged 70% of his vast fortune to charitable causes during his lifetime and beyond. Among his key initiatives is Caudwell Children, a charity dedicated to supporting disabled and seriously ill children. The organisation hosts the prestigious Butterfly Ball in London and Monaco each year to raise funds and awareness.
He also founded Caudwell Youth, which provides mentorship to young people at risk of crime, abuse and drug addiction.
“It’s been incredibly successful—around 80% of the at-risk youth we mentor steer clear of crime. Those statistics are extremely rewarding,” he says.
Reviving a legendary destination for the world’s elite
With a commitment to restoring the glamour of Le Provençal and its legendary dining legacy, Caudwell envisions a venue that will once again attract the world’s elite.
“The original restaurant hosted some of the most famous and iconic names of the day, and the new restaurant, once operational, will once again serve some of the most affluent and influential people from across the globe,” he says. “I just want to ensure that this restaurant is the most successful on the Riviera coastline.”
With Cap d’Antibes renowned as a retreat for celebrities and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, and its waters serving as a prime anchorage for superyachts, the restaurant is certainly well-positioned to become the French Riviera’s next premier fine dining destination.
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All images of Le Provençal and John Caudwell sourced from Caudwell
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