A retired couple wished to leave their suburban house for a character apartment in Paris, in the Passy neighborhood. The Home Select property hunter found a 110 sqm art deco 4-bedroom on the 5th floor with Trocadero views, negotiated to 1.15M euros, 95,000 euros below the initial price, after 10 weeks of searching.
Mission summary
- Property hunter: Home Select
- Area: Paris 16th, Passy / Trocadero
- Property type: 4-bedroom art deco, 110 sqm, 5th floor with elevator
- Initial budget: 1,250,000 euros
- Negotiated price: 1,150,000 euros (-7.6% from the listed price of 1,245,000 euros)
- Search duration: 10 weeks
- Buyer profile: Retired couple, ages 67 and 69, former homeowners in Versailles
The project
After 30 years in a 200 sqm house in Versailles, this couple wished to move closer to Paris to enjoy cultural life and proximity to their children settled in the 15th and 7th arrondissements. The sale of their Versailles house provided a comfortable budget.
Their criteria reflected an attachment to architectural heritage: no modern building, no 1960s-70s construction. They wanted character, Haussmann or art deco, with generous proportions, significant natural light and an elevator (anticipating reduced mobility). The Passy neighborhood suited their lifestyle: quality shops, proximity to the Bois de Boulogne for walks, and a familiar setting.
The search strategy
The 16th arrondissement is vast and varied. Our property hunter concentrated the search on the Passy-Trocadero-La Muette triangle, excluding more modern areas (Front-de-Seine, Porte de Saint-Cloud). The target: art deco buildings from 1925-1935, recognizable by their molded concrete facades and decorated entrances.
A field survey identified 14 art deco buildings matching the desired standard within the perimeter. The property hunter directly contacted the building managers of these residences to signal the search, alongside standard monitoring on property portals.
Over 10 weeks: 8 properties identified, 5 visited, including 2 in listed art deco buildings.
The property found
The selected apartment occupied the 5th floor of a 1928 art deco building on rue de l’Alboni. The entrance hall with its golden mosaic and geometric wrought-iron staircase attested to the architectural quality of the ensemble. 110 sqm: a double living room of 35 sqm with three panoramic bay windows, 2 bedrooms of 15 and 13 sqm, a 9 sqm study, a 10 sqm separate kitchen, bathroom and separate WC.
The preserved period features, herringbone parquet, arched glass doors, decorated cast-iron radiators, gave the property a rare appeal. The original elevator had been modernized in 2018.
The negotiation
The property had been on the market for 11 weeks at 1,245,000 euros, or 11,318 euros/sqm. The seller, a non-resident heir, had set an optimistic price based on a high estimate. The absence of offers in 11 weeks confirmed a disconnect with the market.
Our property hunter presented a comparative analysis showing that recent art deco sales in Passy ranged between 10,200 and 10,800 euros/sqm. The kitchen and bathroom, dating from the 1990s, required renovation estimated at 35,000 euros. The DPE energy rating of E added a regulatory argument.
The initial offer at 1,100,000 euros was rejected. The agreement at 1,150,000 euros, or 10,455 euros/sqm, was reached after 3 weeks of discussion, facilitated by the seller’s fatigue at the absence of other offers. Savings: 95,000 euros.
What this mission illustrates
Art deco buildings are a niche segment with strong heritage value. In Paris, art deco represents less than 8% of the housing stock, concentrated in the 16th, the 7th and the 15th. These properties attract discerning buyers willing to pay a premium for architectural character, which supports their long-term value.
The transition from house to apartment requires psychological support as much as technical expertise. Leaving 200 sqm with a garden for 110 sqm on an upper floor is a profound change. A property hunter knows how to identify properties that compensate for the loss of space through the quality of proportions, light and surroundings.
Properties on the market for more than 10 weeks offer the best negotiation margins. A seller who has received no offers in 3 months is receptive to a serious proposal, even 7 to 8% below the asking price. A comparative analysis of recent transactions converts this receptivity into an agreement.
Looking for a character apartment in Paris? Contact our team for a targeted search focused on exceptional properties.
Frequently asked questions
What characterizes an art deco apartment in Paris?
Parisian art deco buildings (1920s-1940s) are distinguished by their sculpted concrete facades, geometric ironwork, entrance halls decorated with mosaics and stained glass, and luminous apartments with large bay windows. The 16th arrondissement, particularly Passy and Auteuil, concentrates the finest Parisian examples. These properties are negotiated at a 5 to 15% premium compared to standard Haussmann buildings.
What is the typical buyer profile in Passy in the 16th?
Passy mainly attracts affluent families and well-off retirees seeking a quiet residential setting near the Trocadero and the Bois de Boulogne. Anglo-Saxon expatriates are also well represented thanks to the proximity of international schools. The average buyer budget in Passy exceeds 1M euros.
Is the 16th arrondissement still a good real estate investment?
The 16th experienced a price correction of 5 to 8% between 2020 and 2024, making it now more accessible than it has been. The Passy and La Muette neighborhoods remain safe long-term investments with sustained demand and a near-zero vacancy rate. There is real potential for appreciation on well-located character properties.
