Renzo Piano redesigns the urban projects of Montparnasse, in Paris

The Renzo Piano Building Workshop (RPBW) presented a new project for the Ensemble Immobilier Tour Maine-Montparnasse, an urban complex located around the Montparnasse Tower in Paris. The proposal is part of a revitalization process that transforms a closed set, typical of 1970s architecture, into a more open, connected space focused on people.

Commissioned by the co-owners of the Montparnasse Commercial Centre and the CIT Tower, the project is taking place alongside the renovation of the Montparnasse Tower, led by the firm Nouvelle AOM. Together, the interventions aim to change the relationship of the set with the city, replacing the logic of a large isolated block with a neighborhood more integrated into urban daily life.

Urban project of RPBW

Built between 1969 and 1973 on the former site of the Montparnasse railway station, the complex comprises three main elements: the Montparnasse Tower, the shopping center, and the CIT Tower, set on an elevated slab. The RPBW proposal is based on these existing structures but focuses on reopening the block, reconnecting the streets, and enhancing the ground floor as a space for circulation and interaction.

Started in 2022, the project experienced a pause in 2023, motivated by discussions around the Paris Master Plan. Work resumed in 2025, and by the end of that year, the proposal was approved by the Paris Council. In January 2026, an agreement between the city hall and the owners officially progressed the project.

Architecture designed for encounters

The Renzo Piano Building Workshop proposal redefines the old shopping center as a block closer to the traditional scale of the city. Streets are reopened, new pedestrian pathways are created, and the volumes of the set begin to have better dialogues with the surroundings.

The program combines different uses to keep the projects active throughout the day. It includes cultural, commercial, sports, and residential environments, including student housing and offices. This diversity contributes to a more constant occupancy and creates a more vibrant and safe project.

In this context, the architecture serves as support for encounters and circulation. Instead of monumental solutions, the project values accessible spaces, clear paths, and areas designed for stays, promoting interaction and everyday use.

Practical changes in Montparnasse

Among the main transformations are the new pedestrian routes that cross the block, connecting Rue de Rennes, the Montparnasse station, and neighboring streets. The ground floors become more accessible, facilitating circulation and reinforcing integration with the city.

At the center of the project, a large tree-lined square has been designed as a space for meeting and resting. The space features cafés, terraces, cultural activities, and sports areas, creating a project protected from heavy traffic and inviting to stay.

Overlooking the square, a cultural center of about 1,500 m² is planned, connected by panoramic elevators and viewpoints that expand public access. On the roof, outdoor sports areas will integrate with the Armand Massard sports center, which will also have its accesses redesigned to improve the relationship with public projects.

The constructive proposal prioritizes the use of the existing structure, reducing the environmental impact of the work. The original structural mesh is maintained as a basis for the project, while new volumes arise in a punctual manner, with lightweight structures. This strategy combines preservation and updating, valuing what already exists.