Qatar ruler's $110mn Paris mansion plans under fire

The Emir of Qatar has found himself the centre of a political storm in Paris with his plans to renovate a 17th-century mansion on the exclusive Saint Louis island.

The proposed alterations have attracted the ire of Mayor Bertrand Delanoe who has said he will block plans, saying it is "a real threat" to the city's heritage.

"This is a real threat to a gem of Paris' heritage, the only private house from the end of Louis the XIII's reign that remains untouched," Delanoe wrote in a letter to Culture Minister Christine Albanel. "I want this plan to be reconsidered, taking the time for a thorough examination," newswire Bloomberg reported.

Qatar's ruler Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani bought the mansion at the tip of the Paris island in 2007 from the Rothschild family for a reported 80 million euros ($112 million).

According to the Vieux Paris association that protects the city's heritage and works with the mayor’s office, the new owner plans to build elevators, add rooms, bathrooms and an underground parking lot at the building that is part of a Unesco World Heritage site.

Albanel responded that the state has taken necessary care “to monitor the renovation of this listed monument,” according to a copy of comments e-mailed by her press office on Dec 24.

She said that Sheikh Hamad enrolled architect Alain-Charles Perrot to complete the work, "a proof of seriousness and skill." She said the new owner planned to invest 13 million euros in the renovation of the mansion.

Delanoe, who is from the opposition Socialist Party, can - in his capacity as Paris mayor - block real estate projects that do not respect the city's urban code. He said that the plan to add a parking with an exit on the external wall "cannot let me, at this stage, give my agreement to the project."

Albanel said Delanoe is showing "political afterthoughts" in blocking the renovation. Sheikh Hamad owns several other properties in Paris. The three-storey building, located Quai d'Anjou and also known as the Hotel Lambert, was built in 1639 by Louis Le Vau.

Some of its galleries and rooms have been decorated by artists including Le Brun and Le Sueur. In the 19th century, composer Frederic Chopin and his partner George Sand were guests there.

The house was bought in 1976 by Guy de Rothschild, the father of David de Rothschild, chairman of the family’s UK arm, NM Rothschild & Sons. Albanel said that the building "already has 12 bathrooms and three elevators." She said the swimming pool in the basement that already exists will be removed.  

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