From the Gluck building in Toulouse to the Insee tower in Malakoff, not forgetting the buildings in the Alma Gare district of Roubaix, many buildings were demolished in 2024, despite the hard work of groups, associations and architects to preserve our heritage. Every year in France, between 16,000 and 17,500 demolition permits are issued. Marie de Bryas, architect and co-director of the French office of the British firm Stephen Taylor Architects, analyses the impact of these demolition operations on the urban environment and heritage of 6 buildings.

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Marie de Bryas
Architect and co-director of the French office of the British firm Stephen Taylor Architects

As we prepare to welcome 2025, it’s worth remembering the iconic buildings that were demolished this year despite the struggles of heritage conservationists. These buildings, witnesses to our collective history, were sacrificed on the altar of progress and urbanisation, leaving behind communities and landscapes irrevocably transformed.

The Gluck building, in the Mirail district of Toulouse, Georges Candilis – 1960s

The Mirail district of Toulouse, designed by the architect Georges Candilis in the 1960s and 70s, is a major example of modern architecture. Candilis, a member of CIAM and a pupil of Le Corbusier, developed an innovative approach to urban planning here. The project integrates green spaces and pedestrian areas, encouraging social interaction while maximising natural light in the homes. The Gluck building, a testament to this modernist ambition, places residents’ quality of life at the heart of the design.
However, as part of the urban renewal project supported by ANRU and Toulouse Métropole, the building has been demolished to make way for a redeveloped square and new sports facilities. ‘Demolishing the Mirail is an absurdity,’ say Jean-Philippe Vassal, Renaud Epstein and Christophe Hutin, all advocates of rehabilitation rather than radical destruction.

Neoclassical building on rue du château, Roubaix – 1840

In the heart of Roubaix, this neoclassical building tells the story of the town’s industrial history. As the last ‘manufacturer’s house’, it was home to iconic companies such as the textile clothing firm Thieffry Frères. ‘It is one of a small group of buildings, some of them prestigious and protected, built for and by key figures in the town’s history; they are precious witnesses to what made the town’s reputation, a town that grew at the pace of its hard-working population,’ points out Michel David, local councillor and initiator of a petition to save it.

Despite these efforts, the building was demolished to make way for a student residence, marking a break with Roubaix’s working-class and neoclassical heritage.

Acropolis, Nice, Pierre Baptiste, Pierre Bernasconi and Georges Buzzi – 1985

The Palais Acropolis, designed by architects Pierre Baptiste, Pierre Bernasconi and Georges Buzzi – known as ‘the 3 Bs’ – is a masterpiece of the 1980s. This architectural ‘liner’, over 300 metres long, symbolised urban optimism and functional innovation at the time. With its monumental halls such as the Apollon auditorium, the Palais was a central venue for conferences and events in Nice.

Despite these qualities, it was decided to demolish it to make way for the extension of the Promenade du Paillon, a ‘green corridor’ that aims to transform Nice into a veritable 8-hectare urban forest.

The Insee Tower, Malakoff, Denis Honegger and Serge Lana – 1974

Built in 1974 by architects Denis Honegger and Serge Lana, the INSEE Tower was a symbol of brutalism, with its unique asymmetrical tripod shape and curved aluminium façade. The 13-storey, 48-metre-high building was an example of innovative architectural research, combining functionality and natural lighting.

Castle of the Pomponnette, Pomponne – 1863

Built in 1863 in Pomponne, Seine-et-Marne, Château de la Pomponnette was a remarkable example of the Louis XV style, with its ornate facades and elegant symmetry. Abandoned for several decades, it had become an emblematic Urbex site, attracting many explorers fascinated by its degraded beauty.

Its owner had made several attempts to demolish it with a view to building modern pavilions. Initially, the mayor, Arnaud Brunet, refused to issue a demolition permit, even blocking an illegal demolition attempt. In the end, the château was declared to be in danger, authorising its legal demolition and marking the disappearance of a local heritage landmark.

Buildings in the Alma Gare district, Roubaix – 1970s-80s

The Alma-Gare district, to the north-west of Roubaix, is emblematic of urban struggles and participatory urban planning in France. In the 1970s, faced with the deterioration of its working-class courées, the residents rallied to preserve their living environment. In 1973, they set up the Atelier Populaire d’Urbanisme (APU), a citizens’ initiative aimed at developing a renovation project in collaboration with the local authorities. This mobilisation led to the rebuilding of the district in the 1980s, with new housing designed according to the needs expressed by the residents. The architects involved, such as Gilles Neveux and the Ausia and François et Marie Delhay agencies, favoured red brick buildings with balconies or terraces, opening onto green inner-city areas. The aim of this human-scale architecture was to recreate a dynamic and supportive neighbourhood.

Today, a new urban renewal plan calls for the demolition of 480 homes in the Alma-Gare district, instead of prioritising the renovation of this heritage. According to Florian Vertriest, president of the collective against the demolition of Alma Gare, ‘Razing these buildings, built according to the wishes of the residents 40 years ago, is unbelievable’,

It is now well established that restoring or converting a building is much more environmentally friendly than demolishing it. Renovation can reduce a building’s carbon footprint by 50 to 75% compared with complete demolition and reconstruction, while saving energy and conserving natural resources. In terms of heritage, it preserves the history and cultural identity of buildings and of our towns and communities.

Preserving what already exists, transforming it and bringing it back to life must become a priority for everyone. Let’s commit to renovating and revitalising rather than demolishing, so that the history and identity of our communities continue to enrich our lives rather than end up in the bin.

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