In Paris this January 2026, Renzo Piano Building Workshop revealed an ambitious architectural project set to transform the Montparnasse Commercial Centre and the CIT Tower into a pedestrian-focused urban district. Presented at Paris City Hall on January 7th, the proposal reimagines the Ensemble Immobilier Tour Maine-Montparnasse (EITMM), turning a closed 1970s retail complex into an open, connected, and contemporary piece of the city. Rooted in principles of urban redevelopment and environmental responsibility, the project reflects a broader shift in how Paris approaches large-scale inner-city renewal.
Sustainable urban design at the heart of Montparnasse
Central to the renovation is a commitment to sustainable urban design. Rather than pursuing large-scale demolition, the architects retain the existing structural grid of the complex, using it as the backbone of the new scheme to significantly reduce embodied carbon. Where new volumes are introduced, they are conceived as lightweight timber structures, allowing additional cultural, residential, and sports programs to be integrated with minimal structural intervention.
The redesigned ensemble will increase its total surface area while reducing retail space in favor of more diverse uses. Student housing, cultural venues, sports facilities, and selective retail are introduced to support daily life beyond commercial hours, creating a more inclusive and mixed-use environment.
Urban redevelopment through openness and public space
This urban redevelopment project focuses on reopening the site to the city. New pedestrian routes cut through the block, reconnecting Rue de Rennes, Montparnasse station, and surrounding streets across three Parisian arrondissements. Transparent ground floors establish visual and physical continuity between interior spaces and the public realm.
At the center of the plan, a generously planted piazza—comparable in scale to Place du Marché Sainte-Catherine—anchors the new district. Shaded by trees and framed by cafés, terraces, and cultural programs, it is designed as an everyday civic space rather than a monumental gesture. A new cultural facility opening onto the piazza, alongside rooftop sports courts and panoramic belvederes, further reinforces the site’s role as a destination for both residents and visitors.
With this project, Renzo Piano Building Workshop proposes a thoughtful recalibration of Montparnasse—one that transforms a once inward-looking megastructure into a permeable Parisian city block shaped by movement, encounter, and public life.
MONTPARNASSE COMMERCIAL CENTRE and CIT TOWER redevelopment project, 2026. Aerial view
Courtesy of RPBW
