Rue des Immeubles-Industriels, Historic industrial street in Sainte-Marguerite, Paris, France
Rue des Immeubles-Industriels is a straight street about 180 metres long, linking rue du Faubourg-Saint-Antoine to boulevard Voltaire. Its 19 identical buildings, designed by architect Émile Leménil, rise three storeys above a ground floor and mezzanine, with workshops below and dwellings in the converted attics. Cast-iron columns, blue brick window surrounds and large glazed bays mark the facades.
Built between 1872 and 1873, this street emerged from architect Émile Leménil's innovative plan to house workers and artisans under one system. The combined living and workshop concept represented a novel approach to urban housing at that time.
For generations, this street served as a working-class neighborhood where artisans and their families lived side by side with their workshops. Visitors can observe how domestic and professional spaces remain interwoven throughout the buildings.
This street sits in the 11th arrondissement and is easily accessible on foot, particularly through the nearby neighborhood center. Visiting during daylight hours allows better viewing of the building facades and architectural details.
A central steam engine built by industrialist Jean-François Cail once powered all the workshops and apartments through a shared mechanical system. This unified energy supply allowed artisans to operate efficiently without individual power sources.
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