Inspiration
Le Floor, the Latest Addition to The Bureau’s The Food Spaces
And then there were four! Recently launched opposite the Palais Brogniart, the new bastion of The Bureau – a high-end coworking space co-founded by Laurent Geneslay – is unveiling for the first time on its ground floor a location open to non-members: Le Floor. This neo-coffee shop, combined with a multi-culturally inspired bakery, offers gourmet breaks throughout the day. Then, as night falls, it reverts to exclusivity, turning into a wine and cocktail bar reserved exclusively for members and their guests. Under the leadership of Nicolas Lacaze, Head of Food & Beverage at The Bureau, Le Floor is an integral part of the brand new 42, rue Notre-Dame-des-Victoires. Both were conceived, designed and decorated by Marika Dru of the MKD studio and Constance Gennari, founder and artistic director of The Socialite Family, as a single entity. The Parisian architect wanted to include the prestigious premises opposite in the new space by “creating an interplay with mirrors between the architectural elements of the Bourse and those of The Bureau” and “the rhythm of the neoclassical columns can be found in the restaurant”. Fitting in perfectly with the lifestyle concept the ambassador of the “Smart Way of Working” promotes, Le Floor draws on “New York culture and the Roman-style caffè spirit that invites you to come in and nibble something sweet at the counter.” And all this while “redefining the conventions of the traditional Parisian café by taking care to select high-quality natural products”. All of which makes it possible to enjoy “all the fun moments that can mark a good day at work”, positioning it as an unmissable new venue in this area of Paris.
Le Floor, the latest addition to The Bureau’s The Food spaces: 42 rue Notre-Dame des Victoires – 75002 Paris. Opening hours: 8:00 to 18:00 for non-members, then from 18:00 for residents. Contact: www.thebureau.club/fr/contact.
Author
Caroline Balvay
Photos and videos
Valerio Geraci
TSF
Laurent, Marika, Nicolas: could you introduce yourselves, please?
Laurent
After a long career in investment banking, I co-founded the high-end coworking space The Bureau in 2016.
Marika
I am the interior designer who designed the first two premises for The Bureau in Cours Albert 1er. We implemented the concept of the “New Office”, The Bureau, when we launched our first address at 28 Cours Albert 1er. A place to work, of course, but in peace, comfort and above all, somewhere to feel at home.
Nicolas
Coming from Nice, Mediterranean culture is one of my influences. I’ve always had a genuine interest in restaurant space design. The inevitable meeting with Laurent allowed me to join the Food & Beverage department of The Bureau right at the beginning.
TSF
What were your respective roles in opening Le Floor, the latest of The Bureau’s The Food spaces?
Laurent
Food service is at the heart of the concept that The Bureau promotes: the Smart Way of Working. Le Floor is the place where things happen. Our members are at home and can entertain their guests for a meeting, a lunch or an event. This is the key element in bringing our community together. It is my job to find the best address for a new home for The Bureau.
Nicolas
I’m in charge of catering and developing associated areas. Everything starts with getting a feeling for the space and a first impression of the possible configurations. Coffee has always been a very prominent feature. So it was only natural that we wanted to improve and enhance this first space open to the public. The second step is integrating the food and beverage teams’ work ergonomics into Marika’s architectural proposals. At the time, we had a lot of discussions with her about reinterpreting the essence of dining.
Marika
Part of the concept of The Bureau is the number of services we offer to members to make their lives, and consequently their work, easier. By creating meeting places and discussion areas like Le Floor, we create a human link and a sense of belonging. Thanks to The Food, The Bureau has become what we wanted it to be: a place of work where people can talk, eat and meet in spaces that are conducive to living and socialising with others.
TSF
How does this venue fit in with the new address of The Bureau – of which it forms a part?
Laurent
42 rue Notre Dame des Victoires is exactly what I was looking for. A place with a bar/restaurant in the centre of the development and a window onto the street, which allows us to welcome the public. The Bureau’s basic principles remain unchanged but are revisited each time. The Bureau and Le Floor are inseparable; they were conceived, designed and decorated as a single entity by Marika Dru of the MKD studio and Constance Gennari of The Socialite Family.
Marika
Opposite, the Palais Brongniart is stunning – a true tableau vivant! I wanted to incorporate this spectacular building into our new space by creating an interplay with mirrors between the architectural elements of the Bourse and those of The Bureau. I also used the rhythm of the neoclassical columns of the palace, especially in the restaurant. As a result, this space, which is open to the public, has become a new key player in this beautiful part of Paris.
TSF
Nicolas, why did you decide to focus this concept on the “neo-coffee shop, coupled with an English-style bakery”?
Nicolas
We wanted to redefine the conventions of the traditional Parisian café by taking care to select high-quality natural products. Flour from local mills, sustainably grown, and seasonal speciality coffees. The “Coffee” atmosphere of Le Floor is synonymous with relaxation and fits perfectly with the lifestyle philosophy of The Bureau.
TSF
What inspirations and desires did you draw on to create the menu?
Nicolas
Our goal was to be 100% in control of our products: from making the buns to the homemade smoked salmon, while styling the classic US food with a French twist.
TSF
Are there any places that have inspired you in particular in the development of its identity?
Marika
Yes, English-style clubs. Elegant and timeless institutions! This is why we have only used the finest and most long-lasting materials, which give the reassuring feeling of having always been there and being made to last.
Nicolas
The New York culture, the Roman-style caffè spirit that invites you to come in and nibble something sweet at the counter. In terms of places, Eisenberg’s sandwich shop, the Oyster Bar in Grand Central station, Sant’Eustachio and all the little bars in Italy with their zinc counter tops.
TSF
What can we eat and drink?
Nicolas
Grilled cheese with fontina and comté served with onion compote with thyme and spicy mustard. A refreshing B.L.T. with chervil and parsley and red onion pickles. A lox bun with whipped brillat-savarin and home-smoked salmon served with an old-fashioned honey mustard dressing. A dish of the day – a parmigiana, for example – and always a vegetarian salad as a daily special. Apart from that, we have the classics, a soft brioche, scones with citrus marmalade and semi-salted butter, financiers, madeleines and chocolate cookies.
TSF
The great new feature of this address is that it is also open to the public on weekdays from 8:00 to 18:00 but it regains its exclusivity at nightfall. Can you explain this willingness to ‘open up’ to non-members?
Laurent
Le Floor is a space dedicated to its community who may not yet be members. Being open to the public also allows The Bureau to integrate seamlessly into the neighbourhood. Our members have reserved areas like the inner courtyard and tables at lunchtime. “Openness’ in the broadest sense is part of our concept.
Marika
Le Floor – open all day – is the ideal place to spend all the fun moments that can mark a good day at work. From morning coffee to after-work drinks. Naturally, we used the signature elements of the first The Bureau for the colours and materials. But with differences, such as the new colour palette: coffee, caramel, and the amber tones of beer and whisky. They will make The Bureau 42, rue Notre Dame des Victoires unique. As a result, this restaurant, which is open to the public, has become a new key player in this beautiful part of Paris. That was the challenge I set myself.
TSF
Where will we see The Bureau in the coming months?
Laurent
Lots of places, we hope! In France, of course, in Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon… and further afield in Europe, too. We have plenty of development projects in the coming months/years.