A graphic design studio was looking for premises to purchase in central Paris to accommodate its 6 staff members. The Home Select property hunter identified a former 65 sqm commercial space in the Sentier neighborhood, 2nd arrondissement, negotiated to 380,000 euros and converted into an open-plan workspace.
Mission overview
- Property hunter: the Home Select property hunter
- Area: Paris 2nd, Sentier / Bonne Nouvelle neighborhood
- Property type: commercial premises, 65 sqm, street-level ground floor
- Initial budget: 420,000 euros
- Negotiated price: 380,000 euros (-8.9% from the listed price of 417,000 euros)
- Search duration: 10 weeks
- Buyer profile: design studio, SAS company, 6 staff members
The project
This design studio occupied rented offices in the 10th arrondissement at 2,400 euros/month for 55 sqm that were becoming too small. The managing director wanted to buy rather than continue paying rising rent, estimating that the monthly payments on a commercial mortgage would be lower than the current rent.
The brief: 60 to 80 sqm of open-plan space, sufficient ceiling height for a bright workspace, in a central and well-connected neighborhood (clients in luxury and fashion, mainly in the 1st, 2nd and 8th arrondissements). The Sentier, which has become the “Silicon Sentier” for startups and creative agencies, was a perfect match for the studio’s positioning.
The search strategy
Searching for commercial premises follows different rules from residential property. Listings appear on specialized portals (BureauxLocaux, Geolocaux), but the best deals are negotiated directly with owners or through specialized commercial agents.
Our property hunter targeted three categories of property: commercial premises vacant for more than 6 months (motivated owners), shops in business cessation (direct negotiation), and ground-floor spaces in residential buildings (co-ownerships looking to sell loss-making commercial units).
Over 10 weeks: 12 premises identified, 6 visited, 2 technical feasibility studies completed.
The property found
The selected premises occupied the ground floor of a Haussmannian building on rue d’Aboukir. A 65 sqm open-plan area with a 4-meter wide shopfront facing the street, 3.40 m ceiling height, and a small 12 sqm back room usable as a meeting room.
The former occupant, a textile shop, had vacated the premises 8 months earlier. The space was in raw condition: concrete floor, bare walls, electrical system to be redone. The owner, a private investor, was struggling to re-let to a commercial tenant in a neighborhood shifting toward the creative services sector.
The negotiation
The 8-month vacancy was the main lever. At 2,000 euros/month in co-ownership charges and property tax, the owner had been losing 16,000 euros since the tenant’s departure. Our property hunter presented an offer including a fit-out plan that would add value to the property (conversion into a design office with interior glazed partitions), which would reassure the co-ownership about future use.
The initial offer at 365,000 euros was countered at 400,000 euros. The agreement at 380,000 euros, or 5,846 euros/sqm, was reached by adding a clause waiving the right of commercial pre-emption (the premises being in a commercial preservation zone). Saving: 37,000 euros.
The fit-out works (light partitioning, electrical, plumbing, painting) cost 45,000 euros, bringing the total investment to 425,000 euros for a 65 sqm office in the heart of the Sentier, compared to an annual rent of 28,800 euros that would have continued to rise.
What this mission illustrates
Buying offices and commercial premises is often more profitable than renting. For this studio, the mortgage payments (1,900 euros/month over 20 years) are lower than the previous rent of 2,400 euros/month, while building an asset. Over 10 years, the cumulative saving exceeds 60,000 euros.
Vacant premises are the best deals. Commercial space empty for more than 6 months represents a cost for the owner. This financial urgency creates a negotiation window that professional buyers can exploit. The Sentier, in the midst of its shift toward the creative services sector, is full of these opportunities.
A property hunter brings specific added value on commercial premises. The analysis of technical feasibility (change of use, ERP compliance, accessibility) and knowledge of actual commercial market prices prevent costly mistakes. In this mission, the 2nd arrondissement offered the best location-quality-price ratio.
Looking for commercial premises in Paris? Contact our team for a search tailored to your business needs.
Frequently asked questions
Can you convert commercial premises into an office in Paris?
Yes, converting commercial premises into an office is subject to a prior declaration of change of use with the city hall. In central Paris, this conversion is generally accepted as it does not reduce the housing stock. The processing time is 1 to 2 months. Note: converting commercial space to residential use is much more regulated.
What is the price per sqm for commercial premises in the 2nd arrondissement?
In 2026, commercial premises in the 2nd arrondissement trade between 5,000 and 8,000 euros/sqm depending on location, condition and layout. That is 30 to 40% less expensive than an apartment in the same area, making it an attractive option for professionals looking to buy rather than rent their offices.
What are the advantages of buying commercial premises rather than renting office space in Paris?
Buying commercial premises allows you to lock in your property costs, build depreciable professional assets, and avoid rent increases. Over 10 years, buying is generally more advantageous than renting as long as the borrowing rate is lower than the rental yield for the area.
