HISTORY
Yesteryear: A major project for Paris
Montparnasse, or Mount Parnassus, takes its name from a rural hill, razed in 1725, which students likened to the dwelling place of the Muses. In the 18th century, cabarets located along the Street de la Gaité, at that time beyond the Paris city limits, were exempt from taxes on alcoholic beverages. Soon, dance halls and theatres began to dream of making money off of this clientele, such as Bobino (1819), where guests were entertained by singers like Mistinguett, Chevalier, Edith Piaf, and more. Not far away, the Closerie des Lilas (1804) would play host to Verlaine, Oscar Wilde, and Strindberg. Then, in just a few years and in a limited area, there was a blossoming of cafés that have since become famous: Le Dôme (1897), La Rotonde (1911), Le Select (1925), and lastly, La Coupole (1927). Artists and writers, often expats, rubbed elbows - Germans and Russians and finally Americans. The Art movement known as The School of Paris was born here, with Modigliani, Soutine, Chagall, etc. Trotsky and Lenin prepared for the Russian Revolution here. Hemingway and Miller came after the Great War. In 1929, the Wall Street Crash dispersed the curious who had come to dance at le Bal Nègre or at le Jockey. The Roaring Twenties were over. Nowadays, Montparnasse has the vitality of the old days, and at any hour of the day there is something happening.The Montparnasse Tower
By 1934, ths SNCF, the French national rail company came to the conclusion that the Gare Montparnasse train was no longer meeting its needs. After 25 years, the reconstruction project resulted in a large-scale urban renewal project; the train station would be moved and the newly-freed up land would be used for new purposes.
In 1956, when the new Paris traffic plan was adopted, a mixed-economy company was created (Semmam), as well as the AOM, the Agency for the Operation of Maine-Montparnasse. They were tasked with renovating the district, which required the razing of many streets, often dilapidated and deemed unfit for habitation. The project at that time covered 8 hectares.
In 1959, the first studies for the Montparnasse Tower were conducted, and at that time the project was criticised for its height, and met with roadblocks.
The wining project, constructed between June 1966 and spring 1969 brought together four architects: primarily Urbain Cassan, Eugène Beaudouin, Louis de Hoÿm de Marien, with help from Jean Saubot.
The cultural, economic, and architectural green light
In 1968, Minister of Culture André Malraux granted the building permit.
In 1969, French President Georges Pompidou, looking to modernize the capital's infrastructures, approved the construction of a true ensemble with the Shopping Centre. The contruction of the Tour Montparnasse could then begin.
Major work
In april 1970 the first stone was laid. Construction required the removal of 420,000m3 of rubble. For urban planning reasons, the Tour Montparnasse needed to be constructed right over the metro (underground), which needed to be protected by a reinforced-concrete shell.
The Montparnasse Tower was inaugured in 1973.
Today: in the heart of city life
A true landmark for Parisians, the Montparnasse Tower is also the first building within Paris city limits with 5,000 thousand employes working daily on 53 floors, and it is a must-have address for large companies in the capital.
The Motnparnasse Tower has also become a place for everyone living in the Paris metropolitan area to stroll, eat, and admire. An exceptional venue for events, the floor is often rented out for private occasions. It is a favourite venue for media events.
Lastly, attracts over 750,000 visitors annually from around the world.