59 Rivoli

59 Rivoli in 2011

The building at 59 Rivoli was formerly a branch of the Crédit Lyonnais bank.[3] It was abandoned for 15 years before artists took over the six-storey space and began exhibiting art and hosting parties.[3] The building is from the Hausmannian period of urban renewal and growth in the mid-1800s.[2] The 6 spiral staircase in the middle of the building climbs 6 floors, surrounded by brightly colored murals on the walls and floors.[3]

In 1999, a group of artists including Gaspard Delanoë squatted the former bank building, which had been abandoned for 15 years.[3][2] The Council of Paris originally planned to evict the artists but backed down when it received positive media attention.[4] After years of 59 Rivoli being a squat, the city of Paris considered evicting the tenants.[3] City officials discovered in 2001 that more than 40,000 people were visiting 59 Rivoli per year, and it was the third most-visited center or museum for contemporary art in the city.[1] Paris city hall bought the building to convert it to a legal space for art studios and tourism.[2] 59 Rivoli was the first conversion to a legal establishment by the ministry in Paris, but the project has continued since 2006.[3]

Between 2006 and 2009, the building was renovated, opening again with 30 artist studios.[4][1] As of 2019, the contemporary art gallery had 70,000 visitors per year.[2] Artists display and sell works of various media, including paintings, sculptures, and electronic art.[3] In the artist community in Paris, people debate whether the formally established art galleries provide more opportunities for the artists who work there or inhibit the artistic process.[3] Other art squats in Paris include Les Frigos.[2]