“Another jewel awaits,” I say. The Hôtel Bony stands before us a testament to Parisian elegance. This building whispers tales of speculators, architects, and transformations. Prepare to delve into its history.
The Hôtel Bony owes its existence to René Bony. He was a wealthy entrepreneur and speculator. In 1826, Bony commissioned architect Jules de Joly to create a residence. It had to reflect his considerable fortune. Joly delivered one of the most beautiful Parisian houses. It was built during the Restoration period.
Originally, access to the Hôtel Bony was via an alley. This alley was located at 13 rue Bleue. The hôtel was positioned within a courtyard. Today, the entrance is at 32 rue de Trévise.
Notice the Hôtel Bony’s design. It presents itself as an isolated pavilion. Its inspiration is Palladian. The courtyard façade features a central section. It is marked by three arched bays. Classical orders are layered here. Doric columns grace the ground floor. Ionic columns adorn the first floor. Pilasters extend to the attic level. This level was added later.
Now, turn your attention to the garden façade. It is more elegant. A portico rests on four Corinthian columns. Above, the entablature displays a palmette frieze. Corinthian pilasters frame the arched bays on the first floor. The rusticated base and concrete stairs are 20th-century additions. The garden was lowered in the 1980s. Originally, the ground floor was level with the garden.
Inside the Hôtel Bony, some remarkable decorations have survived. The vestibule features faux marble. It is painted in trompe-l’œil. Ionic columns support it. The vestibule leads to a spiral staircase. On the ground floor, the grand salon retains its Pompeian-style decor. Here, you can spot cherubs and Pegasuses. Neoclassical elements are evident.
Bony also had three rental buildings constructed on the property. They still exist. In 1853, the new owner, banker Don José de Uribarren, built two buildings. These face the rue de Trévise. The entrance to the hôtel particulier shifted to this street.
In 1976, the Hôtel Bony was classified as a historical monument. In 1994, the Hôtel Bony underwent complete renovation. Architecture Studio modernized it. The firm enhanced its historic decor to accommodate offices. In 2023, the architecture firm Calq restructured the hôtel particulier and the two buildings on the site. The goal was to create high-end office space.
Jules de Joly also worked on Hôtel de Lassay. He was also involved in the Assemblée Nationale. He designed the administrative building on rue d’Aboukir. Architecture Studio’s other projects include the Institut du Monde Arabe. They also designed the Notre-Dame de l’arche d’alliance church. Calq has also worked on Morland Mixité Capitale.
The Hôtel Bony stands as a reminder of Paris’s rich architectural history. It shows us how buildings can adapt. They change while retaining their original charm. Let’s move on to our next stop.