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Gex saves historic restaurant with senior housing
A municipal partnership with social-housing provider Dynacité has restored Le Bellevue, combining a century-old hospitality venue with 12 homes for older residents
A historic restaurant in the French town of Gex has reopened following a redevelopment that combines its original commercial use with 12 homes for older residents, demonstrating how complementary programmes can support the preservation of town-centre buildings.
Le Bellevue, built in 1904, was acquired by the municipality in 2018 to protect the property and retain its longstanding role in local life.
Le Bellevue in Gex, rehabilitated through a partnership between the municipality and social-housing provider Dynacité, with a restaurant at ground level and 12 homes for older residents above | Courtesy of Ville de Gex.
The rehabilitation was undertaken in partnership with social-housing provider Dynacité, which acted as project owner.
The basement and ground floor have been refurbished for continued use as a bar and restaurant, while the building’s three upper floors have been converted into accommodation for older residents.
The works also included improvements to accessibility, thermal performance and the historic façade, retaining the original lettering that contributes to the building’s identity.
Gex has brought two local needs together in one historic building: a place for residents to meet and a place for older people to live.
The bar reopened on 23 October, with the restaurant scheduled to resume service on 26 October. The 12 homes are expected to welcome residents subsequently.
According to the municipality, its financial contribution towards the restaurant component amounts to approximately €2 million, including tax.
The project is significant for the way it combines municipal ownership, housing provision and local economic activity within a single rehabilitation.
Rather than treating the restaurant as an isolated heritage asset, the partnership introduces a residential programme that provides a further long-term use for the property.
For Gex, preserving Le Bellevue also supports the continuity of town-centre life, retaining a familiar social destination while introducing housing suited to an ageing population.
The refurbished bar at Le Bellevue, which reopened on 23 October 2026 following the building’s rehabilitation |Courtesy of Ville de Gex
Combining housing and hospitality has enabled an existing building to serve both a commercial purpose and a broader social need.
The approach offers an instructive example for municipalities and architectural practices working with ageing building stock, particularly where conservation costs and changing local needs make single-use redevelopment difficult.
It also demonstrates how identifying complementary uses can bring additional institutional partners into a project, broadening the possibilities for investment and delivery.
As smaller towns consider how to retain local businesses, accommodate older residents and improve the performance of existing buildings, Le Bellevue provides a completed example of mixed-use heritage regeneration at a modest scale.
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