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HOCH & CHHO Transform Paris Hotel Into Bold Tourist Residence

Tucked into the storied slopes of Montmartre, just beneath the iconic Sacré-Cœur in Paris, a once-forgotten hotel at 7 rue Paul Albert has been reimagined. Now a vibrant 12-unit tourist residence operated by Edgar Suites, this 5,382-square-foot transformation spanning five floors is the result of architectural and interior collaboration between HOCH (architecture) and CHHO (interior design) – two creative studios co-founded by architects Bertrand Chapus and Thomas Hostache based in Paris and Aix-en-Provence. What they’ve created is a short-term rental offering that feels like upscale apartments, adding a new chapter to Montmartre’s living history.

A modern dining area with a light wood table, eight wooden chairs, blue curtains, and an open kitchen with dark cabinets and a patterned backsplash.

When the original hotel shuttered in the wake of the pandemic, it left behind a maze of outdated rooms and deteriorating infrastructure. HOCH and CHHO responded by gutting the structure completely and rebuilding from within, navigating the steeply sloped terrain and split-level footprint with clever spatial strategies that meet both accessibility requirements and fire safety regulations. The result: 11 thoughtfully laid-out one- and two-bedroom apartments, plus a separate unit for an on-site concierge, that range from 269 to 646 square feet.

A modern dining area with wooden chairs, a round table, blue curtains, a black console table, pink artwork, and a vase with dried flowers on a red rug.

But what sets this project apart isn’t just the architecture – it’s the personality. In line with Edgar Suites’ mission to offer furnished spaces that feel like home without compromising on hotel-level amenities, CHHO leaned into an aesthetic that’s both playful and purposeful. Drawing inspiration from the radical Italian design of the Memphis Group and Archizoom, the interiors pulse with color, pattern, and a sense of retro-futurism that’s unmistakably bold.

Modern kitchen with dark blue cabinets, orange-striped backsplash, open shelves with glassware, a dining counter, and light wood flooring.

A close-up view of wooden dining chairs and a table in a modern kitchen with blue cabinets and patterned backsplash in the background.

Each apartment feels like a variation on a theme. Square modules – stacked and repeated like pixelated pyramids – form distinctive headboards and benches designed to maximize both form and function in tight quarters. These custom elements, clad in a palette of saturated hues and tactile fabrics from Dedar and Elitis, serve as visual anchors and nods to the postmodern spirit that fuels the residence’s identity.

A modern console table with books, a vase of dried flowers, a coffee machine, and a glass jar, beneath a colorful abstract framed artwork.

A modern hotel room seating area with a geometric-patterned bench, small round table, wall mirror, bookshelf, coffee maker, and a glimpse of a bed in the adjoining room.

Stripe motifs echo throughout the space, appearing in vibrant kitchen backsplashes and graphic bathroom details. Fixtures and furnishings elevate the everyday: door handles by HK Living add subtle flair, while space-efficient metal-framed sinks from Simas keep bathrooms open and practical.

A neatly made bed with white linens, a textured orange headboard, and three framed photos on a teal wall in a modern hotel room.

A neatly made bed with white linens, an orange and textured headboard, framed artwork on a teal wall, and a closed book on the duvet.

A wooden chair sits in front of a beige wall, above which are three framed abstract artworks and a blue ceramic wall decoration.

True to the spirit of eclecticism, the interiors also incorporate secondhand and vintage finds. CHHO sourced many pieces from Selency and vintage lighting from Peyrieux, while the sculptural travertine tables were custom-made by Beije Avenue and illuminated by NV Gallery suspensions. Artworks – from Parallèle Zéro, Little Big Gallery, and Galerie Bessaud – include original pieces by François Nugues, created specifically for this project.

Modern dining nook with patterned banquette, marble-top table, large mirror, decorative light fixture, and kitchen area with blue cabinets and brown tile backsplash.

A modern seating nook with geometric-patterned upholstery, a round table, armchair, yellow pouf, wall art, and a chandelier in a bright room with wood flooring.

A compact bathroom with a glass shower featuring vertical blue and white striped tiles, a white basin sink, red cabinets, and a towel rack.

A modern bathroom with green and white vertical striped tiles, a glass shower enclosure, a white sink with black fixtures, and pink accents on the walls.

A modern bedroom with an orange accent wall, a bed with white linens, two small bedside tables, wall art, and a window with gray curtains.

Modern bathroom with orange walls, green and white vertical striped tiles, wall-mounted toilet, small sink, mirror cabinet, and stacked towels.

A shower stall with vertical green and white striped tiles, a rainfall showerhead, a handheld shower, and wall-mounted soap dispensers.

A modern hotel room with a double bed, white linens, a woven headboard with a yellow frame, orange accent wall, window with blue curtains, and framed artwork.

Modern bathroom with green and white vertical striped tiles, a glass shower enclosure, wall-mounted showerhead, sink with black fixtures, and shelves holding towels and toiletries.

Even the communal spaces make a statement. On the ground floor, green and orange hues meet durable natural rubber flooring from Nora, while the upper levels feature a patchwork of EGE Carpets – both plain and patterned. A vintage suspension light and Foscarini’s sculptural Bits sconces help set the tone as guests enter.

Modern building lobby with green tiled steps, blue tiled walls, a blue elevator, and contemporary ceiling light fixture.

Brightly lit interior with colorful wall lamps, blue and brown tiled surfaces, green flooring, and an elevator door on the left.

A beige and yellow mid-rise apartment building with dormer windows on a cobblestone street, adjacent to a red storefront.

To rent the Montmartre tourist residences in Paris, visit edgarsuites.com. For more information on the project by HOCH & CHHO, visit hoch-studio.com.

Photography by Yohann Fontaine.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.

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