Art Storage: This High-Tech Warehouse Becomes a Showroom

2017 marked the beginning of a small revolution in the logistics real estate world, when André Chenue, a specialist in the packing, handling and transport of artworks since 1760, and Groupe ADP (Aéroports de Paris) signed an agreement to launch the construction of an art conservation center at Paris–Le Bourget Airport.

“We had three storage sites in the Paris region and another building in Nice, recalls Julien Da Costa Noble, CEO of André Chenue. Our La Plaine-Saint-Denis site had reached maximum capacity, so we began looking for land on which to build a next-generation center. Our search converged with ADP’s.”

“Our Le Bourget site already had a history connected with art, notably through the presence of Larry Gagosian’s art gallery, recalls Hubert Fontanel, Deputy Director of Real Estate at Groupe ADP. It met all of André Chenue’s requirements: available land, security, proximity to Paris and Paris–Charles de Gaulle Airport, quality infrastructure, and more. This project also enabled us to demonstrate to local authorities that Le Bourget’s urban frontage could be enhanced by introducing activities other than those related to aviation.”

Located within the perimeter of several listed buildings, including the Labro terminal , the facility was designed by GBL Architectes and GSE, with the approval of the Architecte des Bâtiments de France, in keeping with the area’s planning character, which gives pride of place to aircraft hangars. Delivered in March 2020 and comprising 24,913 m² across three floors, the center has a concrete structure for security, temperature stability and humidity-control reasons. It is also distinguished by its limited number of large access points, with traffic flows kept to a minimum.

“We compartmentalized the building as much as possible to offer our clients optimal security and confidentiality, Julien Da Costa Noble explains. It also enables us to tailor climate conditions inside the building, unit by unit.” All rooms are kept dust-free and protected against fire risk and pests through a hypoxia/anoxia system that reduces the oxygen content of the air. André Chenue’s clients work directly in the building and can even display their artworks in specially fitted-out showrooms.

“We developed this facility to address our clients’ challenges, while also ensuring it was as sustainable as possible”, adds Julien Da Costa Noble. Certified NF HQE Bâtiments Tertiaires at the “very good” level, the excellent insulation of this conservation center also has the effect of drastically reducing energy consumption. “André Chenue has developed a genuine prototype, Hubert Fontanel observes. For its part, Groupe ADP contributed its expertise as a developer and investor in major projects.” A combination that is bearing fruit.

Winner of the SIMI Grand Prize in the logistics category in 2020, “Arts” is now 70% occupied. “Marketing went well despite the pandemic, notes André Chenue’s CEO. We now store several tens of thousands of items of all sizes in the building. The range of possible uses in terms of typology is now broad, extending from artworks to any object with heritage value, for both private and public clients.”

With demand remaining strong, André Chenue is already working on the construction of a new building in the Paris region. “We hope to work with Groupe ADP again, as its real estate teams made a structuring contribution to the entire Le Bourget project”, concludes Julien Da Costa Noble. Hubert Fontanel adds: “This excellent project won us over to the potential of the art transport and storage market, and we hope to develop more real estate assets of this type, as they meet both the expectations of local authorities and airport constraints in highly urban areas.” Enough to secure a prominent place for the Paris–Le Bourget Airport art conservation center in future real estate history books.