INFO MIDI LIBRE. RBC sells its iconic building designed by Jean Nouvel in Montpellier: how the flagship design brand is reinventing itself

Franck Argentin, CEO of RBC, alongside Johan Sacy, CEO of Deltager. Midi Libre – C. S.

Les deux hommes ont signé l’acte de vente mardi 10 décembre.

Les niveaux seront réattribués.

The sale was concluded this Tuesday, December 10. The iconic building on Avenue Raymond-Dugrand has just been purchased by a regional real estate player. We explain everything to you.

It had been in the pipeline for several months. The RBC group, a leading brand in the world of design, has sold its flagship building, designed by Jean Nouvel, on Avenue Raymond-Dugrand in Montpellier. The final deed of sale was signed this Tuesday, December 10 between Franck Argentin, founding CEO of RBC and Johan Sacy, CEO of Deltager.

Deltager's two-level headquarters

This property management company, a subsidiary of six Crédit Agricole regional banks, is leaving its premises on Avenue du Mondial-98 to set up its head office on the top two floors of the RBC Design Center. The historic occupant is therefore becoming a tenant and will occupy two levels. A nine-year lease has been signed. Its sales area has been reduced by half but offers interior design enthusiasts a new experience over 1,000 m².

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“We share the same values ​​and the same foundations”,Franck Argentin rejoices, just a few hours after the signing. Both remain discreet about the amount of the transaction. We only know that this Folie architectural, designed by Jean Nouvel, had been put up for sale at a price of €7.5 million. This transaction therefore allows the RBC group to repay its loan and reduce its debt by 75%. A big weight off its shoulders. Even if the company, which has a turnover of nearly €41 million excluding tax in 2024, is resisting the crisis thanks to its B to B activity and its residential projects. The Lyon and Paris showrooms have become the driving forces of the group founded in 1987 in Nîmes.

17 fewer employees in the Montpellier showroom

However, the brand has made sacrifices in 2024 with the closure of the Avignon showroom and a reduction in the payroll of around twenty employees, including 17 in Montpellier. “I'm more into construction and creation than into leaving the people I work with,” regrets Franck Argentin. But we have found solutions to secure the future and reduce costs”. The team in place, led by Anne-Sophie Delorme, is very involved in future projects.

With this reorganization done, let's get to work! The principle of half-levels, separated by stainless steel mesh, is retained. What changes is the partitioning. Glass walls will be added to ensure the confidentiality of the activities of the new occupants. In addition to Deltager employees and the RBC showroom, new arrivals are expected. Two floors with a total surface area of ​​300 m² are available for rent. “We would like to bring in an architectural firm or one related to real estate”, specifies Johan Sacy. Another major new feature: the return of a restaurant on the ground floor. After Mia and RBC Kitchen, it's time for Lattara. This chic brasserie will be run by Montpellier's Alexandre Grimaud.

Transforming the building while preserving its specific features

The total cost of the work, included in the sale price, is €1.3 million. Franck Argentin has entrusted this redevelopment to architect Laurent Duport. The challenge is considerable since it involves “transforming an emblematic building without losing its intrinsic qualities of spatiality, transparency, volume, and ambiance”… As Johan Sacy says, “the building changes without changing anything”. The only change visible from the outside: the letters affixed to the façade, “Create, cook, tidy, dream, light”, will evolve. The names of Deltager, Crédit Agricole, Gestion actif immobiliers, Lattara among others will appear. A modification that required a façade permit and the approval of the architect Jean Nouvel. “He is sad but he accepted the redevelopment of the place.” The two men are also pleased that the town hall facilitated the operation by authorizing the mixed use of the building which will house both shops and offices from next April. “Buildings must have several lives with several tenants and several uses.” The RBC Design Center 2.0 is on track…

Johan Sacy: “The location and the signature won us over”

What is Deltager's activity ?

This company founded in 1990 is a subsidiary of six regional banks of Crédit Agricole. We invest customers' savings in office real estate, hotels, healthcare buildings, etc. Deltager is a historic investor in Montpellier. We invest 85% in the territory of savers, that is to say in a large south-eastern quarter. 

What attracted you to the Jean Nouvel building ?

We wanted to move our head office to meet the current demands of employees. Our current offices are organized in a very basic way. Jean Nouvel's building is unusual, it's a prime location, close to the tramway, services and shops. The location and the big name appealed to us. 

How many employees will ultimately work inside ?

About fifteen for Deltager. There will be about a hundred of us in total. 

You're here to stay ?

We're not going to sell to make a capital gain. When you buy, it's for the long term. 

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