Gloria Mansions, Art Deco residential building in Baumettes district, Nice, France.
Gloria Mansions is a five-story residential building in Nice's Baumettes neighborhood with twelve street-level shops along its base. A grand entry hall with two passenger elevators and a separate service elevator connects the ten apartments on each floor and facilitates daily movement through the structure.
Built between 1932 and 1934 by Armenian architects Garabed Hovnanian and Kevork Arsenian, the construction was commissioned by Iranian promoter Joachim Nahapiet. This project represented the kind of ambitious residential development that shaped the French Riviera's building landscape during the interwar period.
The interior spaces feature seascapes rendered in stained glass windows, created by Lassale based on painter Mahokian's designs. These artistic details shape the look of the shared areas and show how art and residential life were connected during the 1930s.
The building sits in the Baumettes neighborhood and is easily reached from the street. Since it functions as both a residence and retail space, be aware that different areas may have varying access times depending on business hours.
The facade incorporates mother-of-pearl fragments embedded in gray cement, creating surfaces that catch and reflect light in shifting ways throughout the day. This material choice gives the exterior a subtle shimmer that responds to changing weather and sunlight.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
