At Snapchat’s new Paris headquarters by Studio Vincent Eschalier, heritage and modernity merge in an iconic architectural statement
For Snapchat, Studio Vincent Eschalier masterfully orchestrates the transformation of a historic hôtel particulier in Paris’s 8th arrondissement, just steps from the Élysée Palace. Promoted by Friedland Investissements, the project has turned an 18th-century building into a fluid, bright, and creative workspace — a place where past and future coexist with effortless harmony.
Architects Suzanne Hubert Bonasera and Valentin Heit describe the challenge: restoring coherence to a complex architectural ensemble composed of four structures from different eras. The goal? To make history serve innovation.
A dialogue between eras and functions
The Vincent Eschalier Studio approached the building as a palimpsest of centuries. Spaces from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries intertwine in a fluid journey through offices, meeting rooms, and social areas. The renovation, grounded in flexibility and modularity, meets the needs of a global tech company like Snapchat.
Today, on 2,900 square meters, a 90-seat underground auditorium, a curved glass greenhouse, and 420 square meters of redesigned courtyard and garden coexist. The result is a space where architectural design meets urban sustainability.
Preserving the historic soul
Original decorations, fireplaces, wood paneling, and moldings remain at the forefront. The studio carefully preserved the building’s heritage identity while seamlessly integrating modern comfort and technology.
A balance between tech and art de vivre
Snapchat entrusted Studio Vincent Eschalier with interior design and bespoke furnishings. The goal was to craft a welcoming workspace where international teams feel inspired and at home, blending functionality with elegance.
The layout revolves around a bar, tea room, café, and garden, fostering daily comfort and relaxation. Noble materials and warm textures define the atmosphere: terrazzo and oak for open workspaces, walnut and green marble for formal meeting rooms, and stainless steel with lime plaster for a refined industrial touch.
Every detail reflects a conversation between Parisian heritage and Snapchat’s digital universe, blending history with modern innovation.
The greenhouse and auditorium: a new heart for the garden
At the rear, the studio designed a contemporary curved-glass greenhouse above a subterranean auditorium.
These two elements breathe new life into the garden, now the hub of corporate social life.
The green space extends the offices, creating a place where nature, light, and technology seamlessly converge.
The bold yet respectful intervention required close collaboration with France’s Historic Monuments Architects.
Every stone, slab, and plant was meticulously cataloged, restored, and carefully repositioned.
