13 rue Saint-Cannat

Located at 13 rue Saint-Cannat, at the corner of rue Colbert in Marseille’s 1st arrondissement, the Hôtel des Postes Colbert — often simply called Poste Colbert — is an emblematic building from the late 19th century. Inaugurated on October 8, 1891, this monumental structure symbolizes the growing importance of communication infrastructure in Marseille at the dawn of the 20th century.

A Building Born from Haussmann-Era Urban Works

The building was constructed between 1889 and 1891 by architect Joseph Huot on a 4,500 m² plot, of which 1,200 m² were built across three levels. It was erected precisely where rue Colbert was opened in 1886 — a major urban project that reshaped the district, leading to the demolition of several old structures, including the 11th-century Saint-Martin Church and the birthplace of caricaturist Honoré Daumier.

By 1889, even before completion, the building’s turret housed the central office of Marseille’s first telephone network.

A Rationalist yet Decorative Architecture

The architecture of the Poste Colbert is a fine example of post-Haussmannian style, combining Neoclassical and Art Nouveau influences. Its sober, symmetrical design emphasizes functionality and order, characteristic of late 19th-century public buildings.

The main façade is adorned with four sculpted medallions by Stanislas Clastrier, paying tribute to four great scientists whose discoveries were crucial to the development of telegraphy and electrical science:

• Charles de Coulomb – Electrostatics, magnetism
• Alessandro Volta – Electric battery, eudiometer
• André-Marie Ampère – Electromagnetism, galvanometer, telegraph
• Michael Faraday – Induction, electrolysis, electric motor

Closure and Abandonment

A flagship of state infrastructure at its inauguration, the building gradually lost its central role. Postal services to the public ceased in 2009, and the last employees left in 2012. Considered too expensive to maintain, the property became a financial burden for La Poste, despite several proposals to repurpose it for cultural or commercial uses.

Renovation and New Life

A new chapter began in 2015, when the Carta Associés agency won a competition to renovate the site with a heritage-sensitive and environmentally ambitious project (certified HQE, BREEAM, BDM). Under Roland Carta’s direction, the works culminated in the building’s reopening at the end of 2020.

The renovated complex now houses 400 employees of the La Poste Group and a 500 m² coworking space managed by Startway. It retains its historic features — marble staircase, brick façades, and original ironwork — while integrating modern additions such as patios, a green rooftop terrace, and glass atriums.

Interior Layout and Technical Innovations

The project is organized around three independent zones — the Hôtel des Postes, the industrial hall, and the governance wing — each with its own courtyard.

A 1930s hall was restored and topped with a new glass roof, while the main courtyard, one of the most striking interior spaces, is covered by a raw concrete slab and a roof garden, allowing natural light and vegetation to flow into the heart of the building.

Awards and Recognition

This exemplary rehabilitation project has received several distinctions, including:

• “Geste d’Argent” in 2019
• Grand Prix Special Jury Award at the SIMI Real Estate Exhibition (2021)

Redevelopment of surrounding streets and public spaces by the Métropole the same year

A Marseille Heritage Symbol
The building reflects the city’s communication progress in the late 19th century and its successful adaptation of historic architecture to modern use.

Note :

Despite its name, the Hôtel des Postes Colbert in Marseille is not an accommodation site. This historic building now houses offices, as well as coworking spaces. It does not offer any hotel services or residential tourist facilities.