Sixty-seven apartments. That’s how many residences are nestled within the Les Trembles group. This is Allée des Trembles. A seemingly ordinary alleyway in Marseille’s 9th arrondissement. Yet it holds a surprisingly rich history.
The Allée des Trembles isn’t just a residential area. It’s linked to a fascinating saga involving a historic building. This once magnificent manor known as the Château des Trembles has a story to tell. It belonged to the son of Alphonse Grandval a sugar industry tycoon.
For years the Château des Trembles served as a home for young disabled workers. In 1994 it became part of a social housing project. Habitat Marseille Provence owned it from 1985 to 2018. They considered demolishing it because of its state of disrepair.
However plans changed. The city recognized the architectural and historical value of the Château des Trembles. This led to an unusual transaction. Habitat Marseille Provence sold it to the Soleam company. The sale price was remarkably low 375000 euros. This sparked controversy and accusations of a sweetheart deal.
The original agreement stated that Soleam would build 20 units of social housing. They never fulfilled their promise. Instead they sold the Château des Trembles for 419600 euros to a private investor. This investor plans to transform it into luxury apartments with a swimming pool.
The Allée des Trembles thus represents more than just a residential area. It symbolizes a complex story of social housing urban development and preservation of historical landmarks. It’s a reminder that even seemingly insignificant alleys in a city like Marseille can be gateways to intriguing narratives. The story of Allée des Trembles is a testament to the many layers of history hidden within Marseille’s urban fabric. A place where old and new constantly collide.