The rebirth of Rennes's Palais du Commerce by MVRDV for 2025

Dutch practice MVRDV, which is currently renovating the Part-Dieu shopping centre and its 240 shops in Lyon, is to give Rennes's Palais du Commerce a new lease of life. The architects will be joined by Bernard Desmoulin's practice, with Frey and Engie Avenue as developers.

The competition jury particularly appreciated “the very strong ambition of this project, conceived as a place for living, sharing and passing on knowledge, serving the people of Rennes”. The unsuccessful finalists were: Altarea Cogedim with François Chatillon and Snøhetta; Vinci Immobilier with OMA and ALL Architectes; and the consortium led by Compagnie de Phalsbourg with Perrot – Richard. Originally, 12 teams had submitted a bid for the project, launched by the city of Rennes and Poste Immo.

The rebirth of Rennes's Palais du Commerce by MVRDV for 2025 – © Engram — © Engram

Context and location of the Palais du Commerce in Rennes

The project stands in the heart of the city, in the south. The palace was built in two phases, at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th, corresponding to the east and west wings, by the architects Jean-Baptiste Martenot and Emmanuel Le Ray. This building, rich in history and in users, was, as its name suggests, the former stock exchange of Rennes. Over the years, it has housed a library and the École des Beaux-Arts, among other uses. Today it is home to a post office and offices, and sees nearly 120,000 people pass through every day, as Ouest-France reports.

The rebirth of Rennes's Palais du Commerce by MVRDV for 2025 – © MVRDV — © MVRDV

Facing it lies Place de la République, which partly covers the Vilaine and is served by a metro station. The square, now largely taken up by bus stops, will be completely transformed, and the bus network will also be reorganised. The small square on rue du Maréchal Joffre, which currently has three bus bays, will be demolished to make way for a new building that picks up the scale of the Palais du Commerce. The two buildings will be linked by an all-glass hall. Finally, on the Place de la République side, the covering over the Vilaine will be partially opened up. It is worth noting that the square leads onto the main shopping street of the Breton city.

Architectural composition by MVRDV and Bernard Desmoulin

The Palais du Commerce in Rennes, with its 12,000 m² of existing floor area, will gain a 6,000 m² extension. The architects' intervention aims to address the criticisms currently levelled at the building. One of the key issues is to bring natural light into the Palais. To do so, the architects will fit the building with slim-framed windows, increasing the glazed area and the amount of sunlight let in.

The Dutch architects have also shown a sense of humour by creating a gigantic curved staircase at the centre of the project, since the building never had a foyer or a major central space.

Nathalie de Vries, co-founder of MVRDV, explains: “The Palais du Commerce is not only a local landmark; its transformation will turn Place de la République into a sought-after destination and act as a vital catalyst for its surroundings”.

The MVRDV architect adds: “Our design approaches this task with an understanding of the building's history, but also with an eye on the future, helping Rennes to realise its urban vision. The additions we will make are clearly modern in character and show clearly that this design is the latest chapter in the building's long history”.

The project, which includes retail, will also house a hotel, a coworking space, offices, an electronic music bar and an events space. Thierry Marx, the Michelin-starred celebrity chef, will open a cookery and hospitality school there.

The rebirth of Rennes's Palais du Commerce by MVRDV for 2025 – © Kreaction — © Kreaction

The extension to the Palais du Commerce will be built in black ceramic, complemented by opaque glass. This choice reflects the architects' wish to echo the local slate roofs.