The City of Nice has confirmed that a permit has been issued for the construction of a luxury four-star hotel – the largest in Nice – on the site of the Marché de la Buffa, a century-old landmark in the centre of the city.
After several months of exchanges between the City of Nice, the Métropole Nice Côte d’Azur and the Architecte des Bâtiments de France, the building permit was officially granted to the management company APICAP, it was announced on 14th February.
The once-bustling covered marketplace, which has stood abandoned for years, will find new life in a four-star hotel featuring a supermarket and parking lot.
The news has been welcomed by many locals, with one resident telling Monaco Life: ‘’Back in the 1980s, it used to be a great market. We could find everything there. But then, little by little, stores started to close. Look at it now. I’m glad they will turn it into a hotel.’’
After initially being sold to SAS CAMAX in 2007, a company which later entered bankruptcy, property developer APICAP purchased the site in 2021, but the project only existed on paper as the developer and the Municipality of Nice debated the final details. Multiple proposals were considered, including the construction of a smaller four-star hotel and underground parking. However, none proved financially viable.
A new development that will transform the neighbourhood
Following extensive heated discussions, plans have been approved and the permit has been issued for a high-quality development consisting of a 13,000m2 luxury hotel with 358 rooms – “the largest in Nice” – , a 1,000m2 ground floor supermarket, a two-level underground parking lot, and pedestrian access connecting the streets Buffa and Joffre.
Architect Jean-Paul Gomis designed the project, which will occupy the Gambetta-Joffre corner. The existing Casino supermarket, now residing at the same corner, will have to be demolished and rebuilt as part of the development.
The investment has been welcomed by neighbouring businesses, who anticipate an increase in pedestrian traffic as a result of the new hotel. Staff at the nearby Rotisserie restaurant told Monaco Life: ‘’This could be very beneficial for the neighbourhood. A hotel always brings more clients and since we are quite far from the centre of Jean Médecin, we need more people our way.’’
The sentiment was shared by an employee at the Multari bakery: ‘’The hotel will certainly help. Look at our street – it’s empty. While the city-centre streets are full and the Nice Carnival is in full swing, we are quiet. The new bus lane on Gambetta has made car access even more difficult for businesses, so the hotel will help.”
However, there are concerns about the impact during the construction phase. ‘’I assume the construction period will be difficult, especially for residents dealing with dust and noise,’’ the bakery worker added.
The project is part of a broader project to revitalise Boulevard Gambetta and develop green areas, aiming to strengthen the residential and commercial attractiveness of the sector.
According to the municipality, the building will be of “high quality and harmonious design,” adhering to architectural guidelines within Nice’s UNESCO heritage perimeter. A delivery date is yet to be revealed.
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