the senior residence project in a historic building in Decazeville at a standstill

“The project is abandoned, the residence will not be built.” According to project manager Paul Bayle, the “La Belle Époque” senior residence in the building of the former Hôtel de France in Decazeville will not see the light of day, despite “many contacts” from individuals interested in these homes. This 4.5 million euro project planned the construction of around forty apartments in the historic and central building of the former mining town.

“A big waste” for the Toulouse businessman – who initiated a similar project and also stopped in the former Saint-Louis clinic in Rodez –, who says he was cheated by the two developers, equal shareholders of the civil construction-sale company (SCCV) “La Belle Époque”, owner of the premises and based in Montauban. In 2020, he had entrusted them with the realization of the works which have still not started. “They have been leading me for two years.”

“There is no worst-case scenario”

One of the two promoters assures that “the project is not buried” and explains the delay by “financing difficulties. The economic situation is not good. We were supposed to start work more than a year ago, but we had a big problem with non-payment. (…) With my partner, we are still waiting for the response from potential investors to make a decision, but there is no disaster scenario”.

But while the building permit has expired, Paul Bayle, who was to market the housing then guarantee the management of the residence for 11 years, recalls having “agreements” with the two Montalbanais, aged 40 and 51. “If they carry out the project, they must do it according to my criteria, with my specifications. The building permit is my responsibility.”

The launch of the project would also require the prior sale to investors of the majority of the planned housing units, allowing developers to obtain a financial guarantee and buyers to become owners as the work progresses.

A danger order soon to be issued by the municipality

A complex situation which does not reassure the municipality, concerned by the state of the building and which is unable to communicate with its two owners. “We cannot reach them despite the promises of meetings. (…) The bailiffs tried, without success”, testifies François Marty, mayor of Decazeville and president of the community of communes. The ghost owners also never showed up for a meeting arranged with a local investor who had come forward to buy the abandoned building and build housing there.

In the impasse, a danger order should soon be issued by Decazeville community, in charge of the dilapidated building, to force the owners to carry out work on the structure which is seriously degraded and which is even being squatted. In this context, an expert should be appointed by the administrative court.