Paris Council Approves Major Montparnasse Redevelopment Partnership

The Paris City Council approved a partnership agreement on July 2, 2025, to launch a major renovation of the Montparnasse shopping center and iconic towers, with construction scheduled to begin in 2028.

Project Scope and Design

The renovation project, designed by Renzo Piano's RPBW agency, involves partially dismantling about 18% of the shopping center to create an open, green walk-through space with a total investment exceeding €600 million. The Tour Maine-Montparnasse (210m) closed to visitors on March 31, 2026, and all tenants were evacuated to facilitate its transformation into a glazed, lush complex. This approach allows the city to proceed under the framework of the approved partnership while the broader site undergoes change.

Council Division and Planning Framework

The left-wing municipal majority in Paris is currently divided on the project because it utilizes the 2006 local urban plan (PLU) rather than new urban rules adopted in late 2024 to address housing and climate needs. City services are advancing the work through the existing 2006 plan even as newer guidelines remain in place for other developments.

Broader Redevelopment Area

The broader nine-hectare redevelopment between Rue de Rennes and Avenue du Maine includes plans to de-pave the plaza, plant 1,000-2,000 trees, and build new Haussmann-style structures for offices, student housing, and shops. Local government decisions center on coordinating these elements through the partnership agreement to manage the site's transition.

Work on the project is expected to continue under the terms set by the July 2025 approval, with further steps to be determined by the council as implementation advances.

Sources Include (But not Limited to): https://www.lemonde.fr/en/economy/article/2026/01/13/paris-launches-project-for-montparnasse-renovation_6749346_19.html; https://cdn.paris.fr/paris/2026/02/11/2026-02-05_paris15_546_web-ypdk.pdf; https://a06-v7.apps.paris.fr/a06/jsp/site/plugins/solr/modules/ods/DoDownload.jsp?id_document=141265&items_per_page=20&sort_name=score&sort_order=asc&terms=&query=; https://cdn.paris.fr/paris/2023/06/15/2023-du-39-maine-montparnasse-6e-14e-et-15e-bilan-de-concertation-prealable-projet-de-delibere-2pnX.PDF; https://www.archdaily.com/601725/city-of-paris-approves-mvrdv-s-restructuring-of-montparnasse-superblock; https://www.sortiraparis.com/en/news/in-paris/articles/151159-renovation-of-montparnasse-tower-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-2026-2028-project