Pullman makes its own revolution

150 150 Daniel Fountain
  • 0

The figures are impressive, with 2,500 rooms and 26,000 m2 of public areas refurbished and renovations that will last 30 months, and reflect the sheer scale of the project. Pullman has launched this unprecedented transformation known as “Pullman Paris Live” in the heart of France’s capital. This architectural revolution will allow it to unveil its new look as well as a reinvented approach to upscale hospitality in the first quarter of 2014.

Five hotels: the Pullman Paris Montparnasse, Bercy, Tour Eiffel, La Défense, Charles de Gaulle Airport… will showcase the brand’s new mind-set and daring approach promoting an experience that blends efficiency with pleasure.

“This project represents an unprecedented challenge in the Paris hotel sector with the virtually simultaneous refurbishment of five ‘heavy weight’ establishments. No hotel brand has ever undertaken renovations on this scale in as many hotels in the same city in such a short period of time. It represents a sizeable investment which is entirely funded by the hotel owners. We are giving ourselves the means with which to fulfill our ambitions in the world’s top tourist destination” declares Denys Sappey – Director of Pullman France.

A dedicated website to follow the progress of refurbishment

Several key features in all five establishments will be reinvented over the next few months, for example, services, interior design, contemporary art, connectivity and decompartmentalised spaces. The aim is to create five unique addresses where customers will recognize Pullman’s identity through a series of brand hallmarks and strong characteristics.

Of course design is one of the project’s essential elements. Eight renowned architects and interior designers are responsible for Pullman’s new identity in Paris: Christophe Pillet, Didier Gomez, Marc Hertrich & Nicolas Adnet, JOI Design, Laurent Moreau, Naço and Didier Rey.

“Our brand project offers a new approach to upscale hospitality in which design plays a key role. Whether they are staying for business, leisure, or both, our objective is to offer our guests a cosmopolitan, stimulating and decidedly stylish experience. The designer element in our hotels will be reinforced by the brand’s commitments in the field of contemporary art” explains Xavier Louyot – Senior Vice President, Global Marketing for Pullman.

This unprecedented transformation of the brand’s Parisian hotels also involved a lengthy process to prepare employees and includes a vast internal communication campaign as well as a campaign targeting customers through a dedicated website. The aim is to involve customers as much as possible by revealing what the Pullman hotels of the future will be like and to strengthen customer bonds with a brand that is determined to shake things up in 2013 and the years to come.

The “Pullman Paris Live” project in figures…

– 5 hotels
– 8 designers
– 30 months of refurbishment
– 2,510 rooms renovated
– 26,000 m2 of living areas reinvented
– 1,500 employees concerned
– January 2013: work starts at the Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel
– March 2013: Unveiling of the Pullman Paris La Défense and Pullman Paris Montparnasse
– September 2013: Unveiling of the Pullman Paris Bercy
– December 2013: Unveiling of the Pullman Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
– April 2014: Unveiling of the Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel

Daniel Fountain / 19.02.2013

Editor, Hotel Designs

Share

  • 0

Fun fact: I’m usually the person friends rely on to organise trips, schedules, and group plans.

Workhighlights: Successfully coordinating events from planning through to delivery and seeing everything come together on the day.

Fun fact: I’m a keen cyclist and will happily bore people with copious amounts of cycling chat. My top cycling experience (so far) would have to be riding in the spectacular mountains of Crete.

Work highlights: Charles joined Forum Events in 2022. With a background in publishing, editorial media and events, Charles brings a wealth of experience to his role as Senior Production Manager. Having being involved with SPACE from the outset, he is excited to see the brand grow and develop.

Fun fact: People tell Sienna she gives off Bridget Jones vibes, and she loves to bake, always making sure there are shortbreads floating around the office

Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
Jess studied photojournalism at London College of Communication and the Danish School of Media and Journalism and holds a first-class BA (Hons) in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins.

Fun fact: Katy has spent years perfecting all kinds of accents and loves a good impersonation!

Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
Most recently Katy has stepped in to the role of Publisher at SPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.

Together these platforms offer a comprehensive 360-degree service encompassing digital media, print publishing, and live events – providing unparalleled value to advertisers, partners, and readers alike.