Le Café du Palais, Nice
French Property Insider
Volume IX, Issue 15
April 14, 2011
Paris, France
FrenchPropertyInsider.com
Bonjour French Property Insider Subscriber,
Yesterday, colleagues Martine di Matteo and Véronique Husson traveled with me to Nice to meet with contractors in the apartment I am in the process of purchasing. The Compromis(pre-sale agreement) has been signed and this is the 7-day delai de réflection within which I can cancel the purchase with no ramifications. It's a consumer protection law that allows for a purchaser to be absolutely sure of the commitment.
Martine is our associate Interior Architect who has renovated and decorated numerous apartments for our clients, to such a beautiful quality and style, that to do anything without her advice and 'seal of approval' would be foolish. Véronique is the mosaiiste (mosaic artist) who has turned “boxes” (boring apartments) into masterpieces. I recruited the two of them to see the apartment, provide their ideas and oversee the meeting with the contractors. They are sure to turn these four-plus walls into the Palais du Soleil (Sun Palace) of which I am dreaming.
The apartment itself has the potential for accomplishing such a glorious environment, first because of it's drop-dead perfect location directly on the “Place du Palais” at the heart of Vieux Nice. Within steps of the Place is the beach and the Promenade des Anglais, Place Massena, the Marché aux Fleurs, the Cour Saleya and of course, Vieux Nice. Just behind the apartment is the municipal parking lot should you be in Nice with a car or need immediate access to drop off your luggage. Could it be better?
The apartment has magnificent views and lots of light that come from the large windows on both sides, both north and south-facing. One side has an in-your-face view of the Clock Tower of the Palais Rusca just next door, the Place du Palais de Justice and it's lovely round fountain with lots of sky. The other side has a balcony the full length of the apartment on the courette (little courtyard) with three doors, two from the salon and one from the bathroom. Strangely enough, the bathroom was built on what once was a balcony – something common in old buildings in Nice. The ceilings are almost four meters high and although the Loi Carrez (official habitable space) is about 35 square meters, the space feels much larger and will be quite liveable for up to four guests.
Yesterday afternoon we met with two different contractors who had lots of ideas and will provide estimates for the work. There are many possibilities and of course, it would be easy to spend at least 3,000 euros per square meter (including all furnishings) to do what will produce a luxury apartment that will not only be a heavenly home-away-from-home for myself, but a vacation rental that could stay booked all year round.
The apartment has one bathroom and one toilet which is currently accessible from the bedroom and from the balcony. To avoid having to go outside on the balcony or through the bedroom to access the toilet, there was much conversation about adding adémontable (dismountable) veranda that would not be a permanent structure so that it would not be necessary to get permission from the copropriété (homeowners association) to construct it. Another option is to find a space to add a toilet, using a Sani-Broyeur(electric toilet), which would disturb the interior space.
The wall that now divides the living room and bedroom is a solid wall that is not well positioned, as it doesn't respect the curves of the ceiling. I'd like to move it and make it half-glass in the style of an atelier to allow for maximum light and view. This is entirely possible and everyone agrees would take advantage of all the apartment has to offer.
Thanks to the balcony, there is no problem adding air-conditioning and that means the windows can be fully closed to keep out the noise from the Place (voices, music, etc., but no traffic) to sleep calmly, particularly on the hottest of days.
We had just one afternoon to accomplish all this and did without too much difficulty. But one very important thing occurred during that afternoon. We reflected on the two major flaws, and only two flaws, which may prevent me from continuing with the purchase: the number of stairs and the difficulty to manage them as they are narrow and steep, plus the entryway next to the café which creates an initial negative impression.
Martine flew home early this morning to attend to her other affairs and I headed west to New York City just in time to be present at my daughter's vernissage (art opening) at the Dash Gallery in Tribeca of her “Nue York Portraits.” (www.nue-york.com) It's a close call, landing only a few hours before the show, but it was as good as it could get under the time constraints – I was lucky to find a flight to make it possible.
Meanwhile, a decision must be made between now and Saturday to continue with the purchase or not. Stay tuned...things could easily change.
A bientôt, Editor, French Property Insider
With Martine di Matteo
Email: fpi@adrianleeds.com
P.S. Tuesday we had lots of fun at Parler Paris Après Midi learning more about body language – what it tells and how to read it – from Kristin Shannon and Antonio Meza of PSI Communications (www.psicommunications.com). Read all about it and see the photos by visiting www.parlerparis.com/apresmidi.html, then plan to attend our next session when Judith Merians, film guru, will be discussing this year's best picture, The King's Speech.
