A Paris mansion that was Karl Lagerfeld’s party palace for 30 years is at the center of a bitter battle to find a new owner.
Situated on the capital’s Left Bank, the 18th-century mansion Hôtel Pozzo di Borgo is synonymous with glamor and has provided a sumptuous backdrop for several runway shows, including Victoria Beckham’s spring/summer 2024 runway show.
The State of Gabon purchased the property in 2010 for almost €100 million, with the intention of it serving as a base for a Gabonese diplomatic mission and economic office in France.
However, it is believed to have been used as a private residence by the Bongos, the controversial dynasty that ruled Gabon, West Africa, for five decades before being overthrown in August 2023 in a military coup.
As a result, the Gabonese junta seized the mansion last summer and has since made the decision to put it up for sale for €200 million to finance infrastructure.
The 18th-century mansion Hôtel Pozzo di Borgo is synonymous with glamor
Although a third of the country’s 2.3 million people lived in poverty, Bongo was one of the richest heads of state in the world.
But Omar Bongo, who was Gabon’s second president for almost 42 years until his death in 2009, and his son Ali, who succeeded him, are being accused of swindling taxpayers’ money to buy private properties in France.
According to French media, the family is under scrutiny in a criminal investigation for allegedly receiving a share of hundreds of millions of euros from transactions related to Gabon raw materials, particularly oil.
Named after the aristocratic Corsican family who owned it until 2010, the Hôtel Pozzo di Borgo underwent a major renovation by some of France’s leading interior designers, under the direction of the Gabonese ambassador in Paris.
The property provided a sumptuous backdrop for Victoria Beckham’s Spring/Summer 2024.
The private residence belonged to the Pozzo di Borgo family until 2010.
Karl Lagerfeld appears inside his ‘party palace’ Hôtel Pozzo di Borgo
A grand ballroom is decorated with gold paneling and opulent chandeliers.
The coveted venue hosted several shows, including Victoria Beckham and Marni, during Paris Fashion Week spring/summer 2024 last month.
But now, the residence has become a source of shame for the former French colony.
General Brice Oligui Nguema, a military officer serving as Gabon’s transitional president, is said to have made the decision to put the property on the market.
Located on Rue de l’Université in Paris, the hotel was Karl Lagerfeld’s primary residence for almost 30 years.
The Hôtel Pozzo di Borgo is listed on the stock market for 200 million euros
The luxurious residence features jacquard wallpaper, patterned rugs and original oil paintings.
Gold paneling and opulent mirrors adorn many of the walls.
The Marni spring/summer 2024 catwalk was held at the hotel last month
The former artistic director of Chanel rented up to 1,000 m2 of the mansion and decorated it in an opulent 18th century style.
A series of glamorous parties were held within its walls, including one celebrating Nicole Kidman’s Chanel No 5 announcement in 2004.
During this time, the mansion was owned by Philippe Pozzo di Borgo, a French Corsican businessman who was also a director of Pommery.
The property also hosted Vivienne Westwood’s eccentric spring/summer 2010 show during Paris Fashion Week.
A wide staircase is lined with a royal blue and gold rug.
The hotel hosted Vivienne Westwood’s spring/summer 2010 show.
Large chandeliers are found in all rooms of the private residence.
The Gabonese junta seized the mansion last summer and has since made the decision to put it up for sale for €200 million to finance infrastructure.
According to the report, several of the country’s richest people have been contacted, including Bernard Arnault, founder of luxury goods giant LVMH. dazzling paris.
Despite possible interest from buyers, there are hesitations about negotiating with the leaders of a reported coup, as Western governments, including Britain, have criticized the situation.