The saga of the BHV Marais just keeps bouncing back. This Tuesday morning, during the Paris Council, socialist mayor Anne Hidalgo spoke up to announce a strong stance: if the walls of the BHV were put up for sale, the City of Paris would step up to buy it.
The goal stated: to act "preventively" in response to the growing concerns about the store's future, employment, and more broadly, the center of the capital.
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
Dramatic Turn of Events at the Paris Council
In a tense atmosphere, marked by the controversial establishment of the Chinese fast fashion brand Shein, the city hall intends to reclaim control. « I proposed that the City position itself to acquire the building and develop a significant project », explained Anne Hidalgo, referring to a program that would mix commerce, economic activities and housing, including a portion of social and affordable housing. The mayor summarized this ambition with a catchy phrase: make the BHV « a beautiful mixed space ».
Since Shein arrived last October, the BHV has been at the center of intense controversy. Several brands have left the shelves, employees have gone on strike, and a part of the clientele is now boycotting the grand store.
. An explosive situation that further weakens a site already undergoing significant changes.
Shein, the last straw ?
These tumultuous events also complicate the plans of Frédéric Merlin, head of BHV, who announced in June his intention to buy part of the property, currently owned by the Galeries Lafayette group.
His company, Société des Grands Magasins, had entered into exclusive negotiations for the acquisition of the building. But according to several sources, the sales promise is set to expire on December 19, leaving the door open for other scenarios... including that of the City of Paris.
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
An Idea Torpedoed by the Opposition
As expected, the mayor's announcement quickly sparked reactions from the municipal opposition. Aurélien Véron, spokesperson for the Changer Paris group, accuses the mayor's office of not wanting to save the BHV but rather to “dissect” it, denouncing a costly and ideological project. The same sentiment is echoed by Pierre-Yves Bournazel, candidate for Horizons in the Paris mayoral race, who believes that the City simply does not have the means for such a buyout, reminding everyone of a municipal debt of nearly ten billion euros.
With urban ambition, a commercial crisis, and political battles, the future of the BHV Marais remains more uncertain than ever. One thing is for sure: the fate of this iconic monument in the heart of Paris has now become highly symbolic.