may 27, 2011...photos © anita aguilar
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la samaritaine first opened in 1869 as a boutique. a husband and wife team (he, a tie salesman, she, a clothing vendor) took the bon marché model of the luxury department store and over the course of 50 years, developed an 11- story version that was praised as the most "democratic" of the grand magasins. the word was that rich and poor could find anything they needed there -- flowers, bathing suits, hardware, hats, tombstones. yes, tombstones. the rooftop was a tourist attraction for the spectacular views of the paris skyline.
the property was acquired in 2001 by LMVH -- which also purchased bon marché--and closed in 2005 for safety considerations, with the plan for its redevelopment still unsettled. but it was announced last year that the property would be converted to a shopping, commercial and residential space, with an 80 room luxury hotel anchoring the art deco wing, offering a view of the seine. the target for the grand reopening is 2013-14.
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the video below offers a glimpse of the interior life of the store from its earliest days. you don't need to speak french to get the gist. the best bits are in the first few minutes (maybe stick around for king kong's cameo)
Samaritaine : le projet dévoilé by mairiedeparis
