Wilson Plaza, by  IN SITU, in Nice, French Riviera. In the centre of Nice, in a listed building, Wilson Plaza offers stunning rooftop villas, penthouses and an entire floor of modern commercial space, which are now all available for purchase. The Wilson Plaza combines historical roots, contemporary resorts and visionary urban planning. The exciting project, by Wilson Development, was created with a very clear goal in mind. “The idea is that of living in the sky, with the sunlight and the treetops, in the very heart of Nice, bringing together contemporary requirements with Nice’s historical roots,” said Laurent Salimpour, who runs Wilson Development with his uncle Joseph. Crystalline Glass Canopies The urban loft villas, sitting high above the treetops, feature generous terrace ‘conservatories’ and offer the ultimate luxury of a semi-outdoor space that can be enjoyed at any time of year. Crystalline glass canopies provide views over the vast hilly landscape of Nice; extensive terraces, the size of which are rarely seen in an urban environment, offer infinite possibilities. The Inspiration Behind The Design Inspired by one of the Grand Palais in Paris and the Lyon Opera House (designed by architect Jean Nouvel), the structures are made with lacquered aluminium, glass, wood, and high-quality stoneware, serving to highlight the interior design. Meanwhile, generously high ceilings add another element of luxury. Windows open on to the quiet Ilot garden… architects Michel Benaim and Rudolf Eschelbacher (Architecture & Urban planning agency IN SITU) have accentuated the building’s true character while retaining comfort and style. History of the Wilson General Post Office Built in 1888, the General Post Office is the focal point of Wilson Square / Place Wilson. Neoclassical in style, it imposes a noble image and boasts a rich past. The architects, Annibale Carlo and Horace Grassi, have masterfully recreated the rigour, order and symmetry inherited from French Classicism. The Italian influence is felt in the introduction of more liberal patterns and forms: wreaths, scrolls, vases, balustrades and statues that soften and purify this magnificent building. Wilson Plaza Blends Past, Present and Future In the shade of the plane trees that line Place Wilson, the exterior of this building immerses us in the Belle Époque. And you start to await the arrival of the next carriage, expecting an elegant lady to disembark, parasol in hand. Today, Wilson Plaza blends past, present and future, combining historical roots, contemporary resorts and visionary urban planning. Is This The Perfect Place to Live? Just like the Belle Époque, Wilson Plaza dances to a three step waltz. Its location makes everyday life easier, thanks to the Post Office located on the ground floor and the local shops nearby, all of which are opportunities for friendly encounters and interaction. Its role in economic life, through the creation of modern and prestigious offices, is perfectly suited to the requirements of modern business. And its “Palace spirit” is enhanced by the rooftop villas and exceptional duplex apartments, fully in keeping with the illustrious Negresco, Régina, and Winter Palace, situated nearby. Naming the Square The Square on which the General Post Office was built (1888) was initially called the Place des Platanes (Plane Trees Square). At the time, the postal service was one of the largest in France (especially in a city devoted to tourism like Nice); customers should be able to correspond rapidly and efficiently. After the fall of the Second Empire, the square was renamed Place de la Liberté (Freedom Square). It is only after the first World War that it was finally renamed Place Wilson, as a tribute to the president of the United States Thomas Woodrow Wilson. WATCH >>> Wilson Plaza – Nice French Riviera WATCH >>> Wilson Plaza à Nice: FRANCE 3 reportage Full Project Credits For The Wilson Plaza Project Name: Wilson Plaza Budget: 6 M€ (cf. article on the french newspaper Nice Matin https://www.nicematin.com/nice/photos-le-toit-de-lhotel-des-postes-a-nice-transforme-en-villas-de-luxe.2296307.html) Client: WILSON DEVELOPMENT Designer: IN SITU Team: Laurent Salimpour & Joseph Salimpour (WILSON DEVELOPMENT) Michel Benaim & Rudolf Eschelbacher (IN SITU) Jean-Marc Lasry (LASRY & MORO) Sylvain Rochet (TECKICEA) Patrice Cannet (CINFORA) Sylvain Dos Santos & Olvier Ivanez (IMSRN) Philippe Guillemain & Melanie Roubelat (APAVE) Frédéric Garcias, Raoul Pasquale & Yves Amsellem (INGEMO) Erez Lukatz (MOJO) Matt Guetta (STUDIO MG) Olivier Bouchara (BO STUDIO) Thierry Ruiz (PORCELANOSA) Grégory Renault & Léon Pimienta (FICI CBRE) Location: 8 rue Foncet and 18 rue de l’Hotel des Postes, 06000 Nice France Area: French Riviera, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA) Project Year: 2017 Photo credit(s): © Wilson Development for all of them and © Éditions Gilletta for the 2 old pictures of the building in black and white For more information on these stunning new penthouses, simply contact: Email: office@wilsonplaza.fr Website: www.wilsonplaza.fr Facebook: www.facebook.com/Wilson.Plaza.Nice Twitter: www.twitter.com/WilsonPlazaNice Recommended Reading Landscape Architecture: An Introduction by Robert Holden Landscape Architecture, Fifth Edition: A Manual of Environmental Planning and Design by Barry Starke Article by Laurent Salimpour Return to Homepage Published in Blog