Following the unfortunate demolition of Victor Baltard’s magnificent Les Halles (1867-1969), and its replacement with the underground retail Forum, an ideas competition was held to propose an alternative vision to what had been built. The intent was to reurbanize the area with a mix of affordable housing, retail, public open space, sports facilities and theatres. Over 650 entries were submitted.

The design shown here proposed to recreate a gallery spine on axis with the Bourse that would recall Baltard’s market buildings. It was to be surrounded by perimeter blocks of apartments arranged around internal courts. On the cross axis with the Forum were to be a large Conference Centre and a retail mall planned around a trio of glazed atrium spaces.