Consider this street. Rue Jean Macé tells a tale of education and transformation in Lille. Once, this location housed the École Supérieure de Jeunes Filles. It was an institution dedicated to the education of young women.
Picture this building in 1890. The mayor of Lille, Géry Legrand, championed the development of female education. Alfred Mongy oversaw the construction. Though not an architect, he directed municipal works. The building’s facade was richly decorated with brick and stone. The side facing Rue Gosselet had more of an industrial design.
The École Supérieure de Jeunes Filles later became the Collège Jean Macé. It stood opposite Parc Jean-Baptiste Lebas. The college was named after Jean Macé. He was a French teacher, journalist, and politician. The Collège Jean Macé was a public college in Lille.
By the early 20th century, the building was a college. The college needed major renovations by the early 2000s. The cost would have been as much as rebuilding it. So, the local council decided to close Jean Macé. They planned to build two modern schools instead. One would be in Moulins and the other in Wazemmes.
The Collège Jean Macé closed its doors in 2008. Since then, the building has been vacant. The city of Lille took over the building’s management. There was a suggestion to move the Natural History Museum of Lille there.
The old college provided 14,000 square meters of space. This space could exhibit the museum’s collections. The city even considered moving its photographic archives there.
However, in December 2016, Lille decided to sell the former college. While not a listed historical monument, it is on Lille’s architectural heritage inventory. Architects requested preservation of the facades on Boulevard Jean-Baptiste Lebas and Rue Gosselet.
In January 2018, the city council approved the sale for 13 million euros. Projectim, Loger Habitat, and Oria Promotion were the buyers. Its location opposite Parc Jean-Baptiste Lebas was a major selling point.
Today, the former Collège Jean Macé is set for redevelopment. The project includes 175 homes. Sixty-one are social housing units and 20 are for seniors. There will be a market hall with local shops. A mini-hotel with eight units is also planned. The project will offer services like an art gallery, a private crèche, a gym, and a coworking space.
The transformation of Rue Jean Macé continues. From a school for girls to a mixed college, it now enters a new era. The area will soon be a modern living space. Rue Jean Macé stands as a testament to Lille’s evolving story. Its walls echo with memories of education and progress.