The French Riviera has been synonymous with style, wealth, and relaxation since its Golden Age in the 1920s and 1930s. Becoming a go-to getaway for the rich and famous at the same time that Art Deco architecture, jazz music, and boisterous parties rose in popularity, this tantalizing stretch of the Mediterranean coast had a surge of development at a unique moment in history and has attracted visitors with its glamour ever since.
While many Americans first think of Monaco with its refined Royal Family (and Grace Kelly, of course), or Cannes with its prestigious annual film festival, Antibes is a destination you don’t want to miss. Talented artists certainly didn’t on their European jaunts and stayed at the area’s most buzzed-about, exclusive addresses.
Le Provençal, formerly known as Hôtel Provençal, was the luxury hotel of choice for Ray Charles on his travels to Juan-les-Pins and Cap d’Antibes while author F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda rented a neighboring villa in the 1920s, today known as Hôtel Belles Rives.
While five-star Hôtel Belles Rives has been in the same family since 1929 and can still be booked for enchanting stays today, Le Provençal has had a different evolution.
American millionaire Frank Jay Gould built the majestic Hôtel Provençal in 1926-27, commissioning architect Lucien Stable and interior designer David Dellepiane to make it grand and dazzling. It became a favorite spot for the elite to frequent from then on, and was even allowed to operate during World War II when most other hotels in the area were forced to serve the war efforts.
During its active years, the lavish hotel’s visitor list was astonishing. Marilyn Monroe, Estée Lauder, Coco Chanel, Sir Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin, Pablo Picasso, Ella Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, and Jackie Kennedy all walked through its doors to dine or stay. However, the hotel closed for a refurbishment in 1977 and sadly never reopened. Still a majestic sight on the coastline, it sat deserted on its hillside perch for decades until it was thankfully acquired in 2014 by London-based, luxury developer Caudwell, founded by billionaire British businessman John Caudwell.
Caudwell, who owns a home in Monaco and is an avid cyclist, was struck by the imposing Art Deco building on his bike rides through Cap d’Antibes and decided to inquire about buying it. Luckily, his offer was accepted and his firm began the lengthy process of reawakening this French Riviera landmark, treating it with the utmost reverence.
After 10 years of meticulous planning, restoration, and construction and a spendature of over £300M ($390 million USD), Le Provençal is now ready to welcome discerning homeowners with its bespoke 41 residences and decadent Art Deco-style communal spaces.
The developer commissioned Richard Martinet of Parisian architecture and interior design house Affine Design, who is known for renovating hotels such as the Hôtel de Crillon, Hôtel de Paris and Hôtel Shangri-La Paris, to redesign and restore the beloved 10-story, 256,000-square-foot building and its grounds.
While the exterior, which is fiercely protected by its historic status, has been completely preserved down to the window shapes, the interiors have been fully reimagined and taken to new heights. There are 28 lateral residences, seven “super” residences, and six compact pied-à-terres that will sit above high-end retail space, which is coming soon to the street level and will be accessible to the public.
Every offering has exceptional sea views. So, for high-net-worth buyers in love with the development, it will likely come down to each home’s layout, amenities, and character. Ella Fitzgerald’s famed suite, where she famously opened oversized windows and serenaded an audience in the park below, was one of the first residences to sell.
The super residences are nothing short of incredible and truly breathtaking to behold in person. They include three triplex penthouses spanning the top three levels, three garden villas starting on the ground level, and a duplex, all of which boast private pools.
The largest measures in at 9,440 square feet, and the super residence prices range from €15 million ($17.4 million USD) to €40 million ($46.6 million USD). So, you can imagine the kind of buyers touring Le Provençal’s finest gems. The building’s other prized apartments are priced from €4.5 million ($5.2 million USD) to €8 million ($9.3 million USD).
Speaking of buyers, Le Provençal is 30% sold with major interest worldwide and is expected to serve as a white-glove, ultra-private retreat for affluent residents, not as their primary home. Homeowners can jet in, let the staff know they are coming, and have their exacting needs met upon arrival.
Recently, Le Provençal also announced that they have partnered with Hôtel Belles Rives so residents can benefit from their nearby, concierge services. Want a massage? Someone from the hotel will be sent over. Craving a yacht day or starlit dinner while you’re in town? The seasoned experts at Hôtel Belles Rives can make it happen in a snap.
In general, the development’s amenities and services, which include a 16-seat cinema, a mesmerizing 2,155-square-foot health spa, 24/7 on-site security, and a nearly 100-foot outdoor pool, are unheard of at Côte d’Azur residential buildings. There will even be a restaurant there in the not-so-distant future. Needless to say, Le Provençal is in its own category across the entire coast.
Ready to help buyers with sky-high standards settle in without lifting a finger as well, Lars Christiaanse, Group Director of Sales at Caudwell shares, “We will soon open the doors to Le Provençal and if you are considering owning one of the breathtaking residences and want to enjoy it this summer, take the next important step and secure your furniture. For apartment dressing, our dedicated team is here to assist you and can take care of every detail, from selecting exquisite pieces to ensuring your home is perfectly styled and move-in ready, so you can embrace the luxury of the Riviera lifestyle from day one.”
The Caudwell team, with Christiaanse leading the charge, is handling all sales and tours of the building. Last month, Caudwell hosted a sunset preview party with over 100 guests—the first soirée Le Provençal has seen in almost 50 years. Officially christened now, it’s in a new era with the same glamour.