La Samaritaine was a beautiful department store in the 1st arondissement with a stunning view of the Seine. Purchased by LVMH (what don’t they own?) in 2001, its doors were closed in 2005 for reasons of security. It is believed that the art nouveau building was no longer up to code due to structural weaknesses and fire hazards. It has remained vacant since then with signs indicating it would undergo renovations to improve security and would reopen its doors in 2011.

Imagine my surprise when I read in the Herald Tribune that LVMH had selected the Japanese architecture firm SANAA to convert this Parisian institution of sorts into a hotel. I guess Paris doesn’t need another department store, but it also doesn’t need another luxury hotel. LVMH is prepared to pump €400 million into the renovations which will push back the reopening to 2013 mid-2014. I guess we’ll see what develops….!