Parisian rock revival: bus palladium ignites historic neighborhood
A former Parisian rock club reborn – Bus Palladium is shaking up the city’s 9ème arrondissement with a heady mix of vintage cool and contemporary nightlife.
A haunting history, a groovy future
Nestled on the site of the legendary Bus Palladium, a club that pulsed with the sounds of rock ‘n’ roll in the 60s and 70s, the new hotel is a defiant statement. It's a bold move, transforming a storied venue into a luxurious haven, a testament to the enduring power of music and memory.
Curated chaos & velvet rope rebellion
The brainchild of Nicolas Saltiel’s Chapitre Six group, Bus Palladium is a 35-roomed haven designed by Studio KO, boasting a Brutalist facade and a subterranean nightclub. But it’s Caroline de Maigret’s artistic direction – pulling from her years as a model, author, and music producer – that truly sets it apart. Think 1970s interiors, blush pink carpeting, and a playful nod to the club’s rebellious past.
A rockstar’s address
From Patti Smith to Serge Gainsbourg, the original Bus Palladium attracted a who’s who of musical icons. Now, guests can expect a similar atmosphere – a space where the lines between hotel and club blur, fuelled by a 3,000-strong playlist curated by De Maigret and a constant flow of energy. The hotel’s bar and restaurant will remain open 24/7, embracing the neighborhood’s vibrant, late-night spirit.
More than just a hotel
What truly elevates Bus Palladium is its connection to the area. Rue Fontaine, where the club once stood, is a street steeped in artistic history, once home to Toulouse-Lautrec, Degas, and Breton. Saltiel himself remembers waiting tables at the original club – a detail that undoubtedly fueled his vision for this revival. “Nobody wanted to touch it,” he laughs, “but when Christian proposed the idea, I said, ‘Let’s go!’”
A design that echoes the past
Studio KO’s Karl Fournier and Olivier Marty were captivated by the club’s eclecticism and lack of pretension. They've created a space that seamlessly blends vintage furniture with sleek, modern pieces, mirroring the club’s ability to adapt and endure over the decades. Exposed concrete, red stairwells, and a Space Age-inspired aesthetic all pay homage to its storied history.
A legacy of cool
De Maigret’s influence is evident in every detail – from the Husbands Paris corduroy suits worn by the staff to the tortilla chips and Haribo candy offered at the bar. Bus Palladium isn't just a hotel; it’s a carefully curated experience, a celebration of Parisian rock ‘n’ roll and a defiant embrace of a more democratic approach to hospitality. It’s a space, Saltiel insists, “where people can interact with each other, and it won’t be too shiny.”