Architecture of Commercial Buildings at the Turn of the 19th and 20th Centuries in Paris – Les grands magasins

Abstract

The extensive transformation of 19th-century Paris significantly influenced the development of innovative architecture for large retail stores during that era. These structures were a response to the dynamic social, urban, and technological changes of the time. Buildings like Le Bon Marché, Le Printemps, La Samaritaine, and Galeries Lafayette became icons of retail trade, introducing a new approach to commerce and creating modern spaces to attract customers. Constructed with materials like steel, iron, and glass, these grand retail buildings featured spacious interiors without columns. Elements traditionally associated with public utility structures, such as domes, lanterns, and spires, became their distinctive features. This article aims to analyse the architecture of the department stores in Paris built between the 19th and 20th centuries. The author explores the impact of dynamic social, urban, and technological changes of that period on shaping the commercial spaces in the city. Tracing the history of buildings like Le Bon Marché, Le Printemps, La Samaritaine, and Galeries Lafayette allows for an understanding of the innovations in trade, architecture, and urban planning during this time.