© Antoine Mercusot

EISENHOWER RESIDENCE

RESTORATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF A PRIVATE HOTEL INTO A PRESTIGIOUS RECEPTION VENUE

The Mignot Hotel – which owes its name to its first owner, Edouard Mignot – was built in the Beaux-Arts style between 1911 and 1913 on Boulevard Lundy in Reims by the Parisian architect François-Adolphe Bocage. For several months, it was the residence of General Eisenhower when Reims was recaptured by Allied forces in 1945.

In 2016, this historic site was acquired by the EPI group, in order to transform it into a prestigious reception venue for the Champagne houses Piper-Heidsieck, Charles Heidsieck, and Rare Champagne.

© Antoine Mercusot
© Valerio Geraci
© Valerio Geraci
© Valerio Geraci

Restoration is a means of bringing out the qualities of ancient buildings, all while providing the opportunity for reinvestment, even reinvention.

© Antoine Mercusot

An initial diagnostic phase made it possible to retrace the historical presence of living spaces and their evolutions, but also to make an inventory of the elements of heritage-interest whose recovery seemed essential to us.

Along with the restoration, we also carried out a major project of restructuring and development in order to revive the Eisenhower Residence in the spirit of a family home.

Sarah Chatillon, whose training at the École du Louvre and experience in contemporary art galleries have forged a singular and spontaneous eye, was in charge of advising on decoration, art purchases and furniture. Her intervention was a real customized work, guiding the choices of the owners whose wish was to find the personal familiar and intimate atmosphere of a private house rather than that of a hotel or standardized palace.

In all the rooms of the Eisenhower Residence, contemporary pieces are mixed with 20th century furniture from auction houses, classic pieces of furniture found in antique shops, family furniture, reissues, as well as new creations by young designers.

© Valerio Geraci
© Valerio Geraci
© Valerio Geraci

We thus discovered the volumes and decors of the state rooms (Grand Salon, Petit Salon, smoking lounge, dining room...) and restored the private chambers, each with its own particular character. The project also allowed for the integration of a wine cellar, tasting areas, and a professional kitchen. The furniture was chosen with care so as to blend in perfectly with this new setting, to echo the history of the site, and to inhabit this new reception venue in a warm and contemporary fashion.

The landscaping project also provides for the conservation of plant rows on the boulevard and street, the recreation of a white flower bed behind the Eisenhower Residence, and the relocation of the original walk-through green area and rose garden on the side.

Location
Reims
Project type
Restoration,
interior design, and
decoration
Program
Hospitality
Project owner
Epi Lundy Eisenhower
Team
Chatillon Architectes
Sarah Chatillon (decoration, art and furniture advisor)
Budget
Undisclosed
Timeline
2016 – 2021
© Valerio Geraci