Perhaps you have never heard of Eug\u00e8ne Chiri\u00e9. Yet, his work shaped much of Marseille and beyond. We are standing on Rue Eug\u00e8ne Chiri\u00e9. This street bears the name of a prolific French architect. Chiri\u00e9 was born in Marseille. He died here too at the age of 81.
Eug\u00e8ne Charles Paul Chiri\u00e9 was his full name. He was not only an architect but also an urban planner and decorator. His career spanned from 1928 to 1979. He mainly worked in the Provence-Alpes-C\u00f4te d’Azur region.
In the 1930s, Chiri\u00e9 became a specialist in cinema architecture. His early training was at the \u00c9cole r\u00e9gionale d’architecture de Marseille. He studied there from 1921 to 1924. Later, he attended the \u00c9cole Nationale Sup\u00e9rieure des Beaux-arts de Paris. He graduated in 1926.
After school, Chiri\u00e9 returned to Marseille. He worked for Gaston Castel. In 1928, Eug\u00e8ne Chiri\u00e9 opened his own architecture firm. He quickly gained local clients. These were entrepreneurs and businesspeople. He designed commercial buildings. These included cinemas, cafes and restaurants. Decorative aspects were very important in his designs.
Early commissions included the florist “Dyens” in 1928. He renovated the tea room “la maison Linder” in 1929. The “Fisher” cafe followed in 1930. In 1930, he modernized the Gyptis cinema. This famous venue needed to adapt to talking films. Chiri\u00e9 became a specialist in this type of architecture. He built or renovated many cinemas in Marseille and the region. Notable works include the “Path\u00e9 Palace” cinemas in Marseille and Lyon. He also designed the Casino de Constantine in Algeria. Other projects were the Majestic in N\u00eemes and the Palace in B\u00e9ziers.
Chiri\u00e9’s style often referenced “paquebot” architecture. This translates to ocean liner architecture. The Cin\u00e9-Madeleine featured portholes and ship-like prows. Despite the Great Depression, Chiri\u00e9 thrived. He renewed commercial and leisure architecture. The Path\u00e9-Palace was a major project. It could host 1800 spectators. This project made him a “specialist in halls”. The Lyon cinema’s success boosted his reputation. He became well-known among cinema operators in Provence.
Other notable cinema projects include the Cin\u00e9ma Gyptis. It had 1100 seats. The Cin\u00e9ma Majestic in N\u00eemes followed. He also designed the Dancing de l’h\u00f4tel Bristol. The Cin\u00e9ma Provence had 600 seats. The Cin\u00e9ma Path\u00e9-Palace in Lyon had 1800 seats. He also worked on the Cin\u00e9ma Com\u0153dia in Aix-en-Provence.
Eug\u00e8ne Chiri\u00e9 also designed industrial buildings. In Marseille, he created the Imprimerie nouvelle. He also designed buildings for the Coop\u00e9ration pharmaceutique fran\u00e7aise. Several garages for Barth\u00e9l\u00e9my and Collard were also his work. Additionally, he designed apartments and villas in various styles.
During World War II, Chiri\u00e9 was mobilized. After the war, he participated in the reconstruction of Marseille’s Old Port. In 1944, he became the regional architect for PTT and RTF. He held this position until 1967. His work involved modernizing postal buildings. He also designed new buildings in both urban and rural areas. The post office in Avignon is an emblematic example.
From the mid-1950s, his sons Pierre and Jacques joined his firm. They introduced new methods and ideas. The firm took on larger projects. These included the Institut Paoli-Calmettes and the La Sauvag\u00e8re complex. Eug\u00e8ne Chiri\u00e9 retired in 1979. His agency continued until 1994. So, as you walk along Rue Eug\u00e8ne Chiri\u00e9, remember the man. Remember his contributions to Marseille’s architecture.