Here stands the Immeuble Le Castel a testament to Marseille’s maritime history. It embodies the Art Deco spirit. Originally, this building housed the Compagnie Générale Transatlantique agency. Many mergers led to the CMA-CGM in the 1970s.
Founded in 1855 by the brothers Émile and Isaac Péreire it was first named Compagnie Générale Maritime. The French state tasked it with delivering mail to North America. It officially became Compagnie Générale Transatlantique in 1861. The company expanded its routes beyond the North Atlantic. It offered voyages to Central America and even the Pacific coast for a time.
At the start of the 1900s Mr. Dal Paz was president. He wanted the agency’s architecture to reflect modernity. Mr. Laffont suggested Gaston Castel a renowned architect. Construction began on April 1, 1928. It required demolishing older buildings.
The Immeuble Le Castel was completed on January 1, 1929. Its concrete awning still bears the inscription “Compagnie Générale Transatlantique”. One entrance at the corner of Rue Mazenod and Boulevard des Dames served passengers buying tickets. Another entrance on Boulevard des Dames was for freight clients. The administration occupied the first floor. The accounting and archives were on the second floor.
Almost 90 years later in 2018 architects praised the building’s enduring splendor. They considered the modernity of the 1930s as essential to its architectural expression. The clock tower became a symbol of this modernity. The facade details showcased Art Deco geometry. The administrative building fronting Boulevard des Dames and the residential building on Rue Leca were fully preserved.
During the building’s renovation mediocre sections were demolished. A contemporary structure was added. It blends discreetly with the restored historic buildings. Gaston Castel’s four original facades were renovated according to historic preservation methods. Reconstructed parts feature smooth materials. They contrast Gaston Castel’s matte Art Deco base. This prestigious residence offers panoramic views of Marseille Bay. It is part of a mixed-use development with offices a 4-star tourist residence and upscale shops.
Gaston Castel was born on August 1, 1886. His father was a masonry contractor. In 1907 he was the first student admitted to Marseille’s new architecture school. From 1909 to 1913 he studied at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris. He won second prize in the Prix de Rome architecture competition in 1913.
He was mobilized in 1914 as a sergeant. Later he was promoted to second lieutenant on the battlefield. On September 26, 1914, he was severely wounded and left for dead. He became a prisoner of war. He was first imprisoned in Ingolstadt Bavaria. Then he was transferred to Montreux Switzerland.
After the war he collaborated with architect Guillaume Tronchet. Ferdinand Buisson appointed him departmental architect of Bouches-du-Rhône. In 1918 he moved to Marseille with his wife to take the position. In 1919 he traveled to Brazil to create a monument honoring José Bonifacio.
Upon returning to France he became chief architect of Bouches-du-Rhône. He held this post until 1941. During the interwar period he designed public works. These included the partial reconstruction of the Marseille opera house. He also designed the war memorial of the Armée d’Orient.
He also created the monument commemorating the assassination of King Alexander I of Yugoslavia. He designed various public buildings too. These included the Baumettes prison and the annex of the Palais de Justice.
Castel explored urban planning. He studied low-cost housing projects. He also designed private residences such as the Villa l’Éolienne. In 1923 he built a house for himself and his office. It has been classified as a historical monument.
Gaston Castel often collaborated with sculptor Antoine Sartorio. He was a member of the Académie de Marseille. He was appointed Officer of the Legion of Honor in 1926. In 1952 he became a professor at the École d’Architecture de Marseille. So the Immeuble Le Castel stands not only as a building. It is a landmark that encapsulates history art and architectural vision.