PALAIS MADRID

Le Palais Madrid Residence – Origins of the Construction

Built in the interwar period during the 1930s in the Art Déco style, Le Palais Madrid was designed as a high-end private residential complex.

Originally owned by the city of Nice with a view to urban development and housing needs, the land was sold to a wealthy Nice resident. In 1931, a building permit was filed by José Torrès, the favorite architect of King Alfonso XIII, to construct a building on the corner of rue Saint‑Philippe and rue Bottero, known as “Le Palais Madrid.” Torrès—also credited with the construction of the Palais Alfonso XIII on rue de France—was highly regarded by the king.

The magnificent residence was initially built in two blocks, and later expanded to include three entrances. The building primarily features North–South apartments, with pleasant southern views over the beautiful shared garden, adorned with three majestic trees.

An Art Déco Architectural Design

Nice is the quintessential Art Déco city! From the interwar period, the city preserved a heritage of around 600 Art Déco buildings, including Le Palais Madrid.

The 1930s Art Déco era left its mark across artistic domains, including architecture—nearly a century later, it still conveys a sense of freedom and astonishing modernity!

Throughout the city centre you can find Art Déco buildings, some protected as Historic Monuments. Mostly robust reinforced‑concrete residences, these structures ushered Nice into the modern era. The simplicity of volumes, stripped‑down elegance and purity of ornamentation are key Art Déco characteristics—straight lines and geometric motifs became ubiquitous.

A Prime Location

Le Palais Madrid is located in the Gambetta–Fleurs district, near the beach and just 400 m from the Promenade des Anglais and everyday amenities: supermarkets, post office, restaurants, bakeries, gyms, and more.

Very well served by public transport, it's steps from boulevard Victor Hugo and Jardin Alsace‑Lorraine, linked to Tram Line 2—which runs through Nice from the port to the airport, passing Avenue Jean Médecin in the city centre.

The Saint‑Philippe neighbourhood, part of Nice’s central‑west sector, extends east–west between Parc Impérial and La Madeleine, and north–south from the Corniche de Magnan to the Voie Mathis expressway. Still home to some long‑time Nice families, the area remains youthful thanks to numerous schools from kindergarten to university.

A Touch of Nature in Saint‑Philippe

About a 10‑minute drive from the residence lies Parc Estienne d’Orves—a 15‑hectare park at the heart of Nice.

Cultural Activities Nearby

The neighbourhood is rich in heritage. Nearby you’ll find notable sites:

• Musée des Beaux‑Arts Jules Chéret, 550 m southwest of the residence
• Musée Masséna, in one of the last 19th‑century mansions on the Promenade des Anglais, 380 m southeast
• Église Saint‑Pierre‑d’Arène, a Catholic church, 220 m southeast
• Gloria Mansions, a large building in the Baumettes district, at 123–125 rue de France, 460 m southwest