A new chapter for the former Hôtel du Ministère
With the opening of Maison Honnel, Groupe Terrot has completed another hotel repositioning project in Paris’s central business district.
The property is located at 33 rue de Surène, close to the Élysée Palace, rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré, La Madeleine and the Champs-Élysées.
The real estate group acquired the former Hôtel du Ministère in 2022, as part of a hotel development strategy initiated in 2017.
Rather than constructing a new building, the project involved transforming an existing asset, with the aim of redefining its commercial positioning and identity while preserving the building’s architectural characteristics.
Maison Honnel opened on 9 September 2026, ahead of the owner’s official announcement of the property’s completion on 13 October.
The original acquisition price, the cost of the transformation works and the total investment in the repositioning have not been disclosed.
An architectural identity rooted in the building’s history
One of Maison Honnel’s distinctive features is its courtyard building, which incorporates an Eiffel-style structural framework reflecting its industrial and artisanal past.
The building previously housed a tailor’s workshop, a photographic studio and a perfumery, activities that now form part of the property’s architectural narrative.
Groupe Terrot chose to preserve and showcase these historical features as part of the transformation.
Interior design was entrusted to Laune Architecture, which adopted a restrained approach based on natural materials, particularly wood and mineral surfaces, combined with a colour palette inspired by paper and mother-of-pearl.
The 42 guestrooms and suites were designed to evoke Parisian interiors, featuring bespoke joinery, individually selected furnishings and particular attention to textiles and lighting.
This approach reflects an intention to differentiate the property through its architectural identity and connection to the neighbourhood, rather than through the standardisation of a hotel concept.
Dining and wellness facilities broaden the hotel’s appeal
Beyond its 42 guestrooms and suites, Maison Honnel includes several spaces designed for both resident guests and external visitors.
The food and beverage offering centres on Carlo, a trattoria and pizzeria, complemented by an aperitivo bar and a Wine Room available for private hire.
A wellness area comprising a treatment room, sauna and fitness facilities completes the offering.
The integration of these services reflects a strategy to diversify the uses of the hotel asset by creating dining and social spaces accessible to the surrounding neighbourhood.
For a relatively small property, this combination of accommodation, dining and wellness also provides opportunities to attract visitors beyond overnight stays.
However, the announcement provides no details regarding restaurant capacity, revenue targets or the expected contribution of these activities to the hotel’s overall income.
TERLIA takes responsibility for Maison Honnel’s operations
Management of Maison Honnel has been entrusted to TERLIA, a hotel management company established by Groupe Terrot and Groupe Galia.
Its business model combines real estate expertise, accommodation and food and beverage operations, with the objective of adapting management to the characteristics of each property.
This structure enables Groupe Terrot to distinguish property ownership and asset enhancement from hotel operations, while relying on a management company associated with its activities.
At Maison Honnel, this relationship between owner and operator supports the repositioning of the former Hôtel du Ministère as an independent lifestyle property.
The contractual terms governing the hotel’s operation are not detailed in the announcement.
Terrot continues its strategy of enhancing the value of Parisian hotel assets
Founded in 1949, Groupe Terrot operates across several real estate asset classes, including offices, retail, hotels, logistics and residential properties.
Since 2007, the group has progressively strengthened its position as a family-owned property investment company, pursuing a strategy focused on acquiring and enhancing the value of existing assets.
In hospitality, a business developed since 2017, this approach involves identifying existing hotels with repositioning potential and undertaking their transformation to adapt the product to its market.
Maison Honnel follows this strategy, preserving elements of the building’s architectural identity while evolving its commercial offering.
Samuel Gelrubin, Chairman of Groupe Terrot’s Management Board, summarises this philosophy:
“We believe that the finest hotels of tomorrow have often already been built. With Maison Honnel, we wanted to reveal the history and distinctive character of this building rather than erase them, giving it a new lease of life in connection with its neighbourhood.”
The project therefore illustrates a trend in the Parisian hotel market: creating value through the transformation of existing assets, particularly in districts where opportunities for new real estate development are limited.
Maison Honnel’s performance will now depend on its ability to translate this new positioning into commercial and operational results.
At a Glance by The Hospitality Tribune
Opening: Maison Honnel, a four-star lifestyle hotel in Paris’s 8th arrondissement, opened on 9 September 2026.
Accommodation: 42 guestrooms and suites at 33 rue de Surène.
Asset repositioning: Groupe Terrot acquired the former Hôtel du Ministère in 2022 and transformed the existing property.
Design: Laune Architecture retained and highlighted the building’s historic Eiffel-style structure.
Facilities: Carlo trattoria and pizzeria, aperitivo bar, private Wine Room, sauna, treatment room and fitness area.
Operations: Managed by TERLIA, the hotel management subsidiary jointly associated with Groupe Terrot and Groupe Galia.
