In the Parisian mansion that she had built in 1883, this 154 m² setting allowed the operetta star Anna Judic to display her eclectic tastes in art and decoration. It is for sale for 5.2 million euros.
A real time machine. Crossing the threshold of this private mansion on rue du Cardinal Mercier in Paris (9th arrondissement) is to instantly find yourself in the atmosphere of a cabinet of curiosities from the end of the 19th century. The entire building is a private mansion built by the operetta singer Anna Judic, one of the figures of the Belle Époque, as evidenced by the numerous portraits of her taken by the famous photographer Nadar. The singer, who made a very good living from her art (her greatest success, “Mam'zelle Nitouche” would have brought her 1 million francs in one year) had wanted to settle in this Parisian district of New Athens where it was necessary to stay show at the time and had his mansion built in 1883.
She designed her interior as a cabinet of curiosities, a true showcase of her eclectic tastes with strong references to neo-Gothic art. This is where she lived with Albert Millaud, a pen of the
Figaro
who wrote many of the librettos for her operettas and for which she left her husband. The notion of a cathedral stay takes on its full meaning here with nearly 8 meters of ceiling height and a huge stained glass window inspired by Tiepolo overlooking a small cul-de-sac. We access the upper level by a magnificent wooden staircase and we can easily imagine the singer throwing a few tunes to her guests from this staircase or from the balcony opening from the bedroom to the living room.
With his cape and his tricorn
After various sales and adventures, the mansion was divided into several lots after the Second World War but the one of 154 m² which is currently marketed by the John Taylor network (bought by the Artcurial group of which the Dassault group is the majority shareholder ) truly corresponds to the quintessence of the place, the place where Anna Judic staged herself. Offered for sale for 5.2 million euros, the place has so far attracted lovers of the end of the 19th century. This was the case of Klaus-Otto Preis, a German stylist who spent his entire career in the haute couture house Nina Ricci. This art collector fell in love with this “Hotel Judic” which he acquired in the mid-1970s. He made its restoration and furnishing his life's work, the place where he exhibited his favorite works, before to succeed in having the entire building and the apartment it occupies classified as Historic Monuments. It is to him that we owe the red velvet on certain walls or the Cordoba leather-style wallpaper on others. We also recognize his initials KOP in the niche housing a throne.
Current owners who have lived here
“twenty very good years”
wish to sell to embark on a new real estate project. They too fell under the spell after a meeting with Klaus-Otto Preis. This couple of antique dealers based at the Saint-Ouen Flea Market discovered this incredible setting by delivering a small bronze statue on site before becoming friends with the owner of the place. Their passion for 19th century art and objects brought them together and fueled their exchanges for years. They also appreciate this whimsical character
“who received you dressed in his cape and with his tricorn
“. After his death in 2003, they bought the apartment as well as a good number of pieces of furniture and works of art, including the statuette that had brought them together.
Not consensual
As it is, this apartment appears like a real museum with its share of furniture, paintings, sculptures, clocks… From the boudoir-style entrance to the state living room, including the dining room, the two bedrooms on the Upstairs with a small office, not a space has been forgotten. Some of these elements are classified, such as the monumental fireplace, the chandelier, the gallows in the dining room or even an original neo-Gothic piece of furniture commissioned by Anna Judic. Everything else constitutes the personal collection of the owners who loved living in this setting but who also used the place as a showroom where they received clients and friends and where almost everything is for sale, with very rare exceptions.
So do you absolutely have to be a lover of 19th century art to appreciate these places, a thousand miles from the “depersonalization” dear to fans of home staging?
“It's not really necessary,
believes the owner.
What is certain is that you have to make a life that goes with this kind of place, you have to be able to blend into this setting.”
After living for years in the greater Parisian suburbs in a large house with a garden and children who had grown up, she was ready for this Parisian life with an apartment that is not really optimized for family life.
“The panel of buyers is undoubtedly more limited for this type of place, which is extremely aesthetically and historically marked compared to a very consensual Haussmann apartment with white walls,
recognizes for his part Geoffrey Benoît in charge of the marketing of this property for John Taylor.
This can make the sale take longer but it is also what makes this place strong. For people who are sensitive to it, it can create an even more powerful crush.”
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