In brief
- Hotel Ruby Lilou opens its doors on Boulevard des Dames in Marseille with 237 rooms.
- The establishment features a 300 m² rooftop with sea views and a swimming pool on the 8th floor.
- The site incorporates Yani, a coworking space with 9 work zones spread across 3 levels.
- The hybrid structure occupies a converted nine-storey former office building in the heart of La Joliette.
- The site incorporates Yani, a coworking space with 9 work zones spread across 3 levels.
A strategic first location in the French market
German hotel group Ruby takes a key step in its European expansion with the opening of its very first establishment in France, located on Boulevard des Dames in Marseille. This opening concrete-builds the brand’s ambition to establish itself within major European metropolises by targeting rapidly changing urban areas. The choice of the Phocaean city illustrates the growing appeal of France’s second city to international hotel investors, driven by the tourist and economic dynamism of the Mediterranean basin.
Set in the heart of the La Joliette district, Hotel Ruby Lilou occupies a former nine-storey office building previously owned by BNP Paribas. Over recent decades, this strategic sector, at the core of the Euroméditerranée development project, has become Marseille’s tertiary and commercial hub. The conversion of this building is part of a global urban regeneration approach, transforming obsolete tertiary space into modern, multifunctional hospitality areas.
The building underwent a complete conversion to host a hybrid structure combining 237 rooms alongside a shared workspace named Yani. This complex architectural transformation required a full overhaul of the building’s interior layout, circulation flow, and technical installations while highlighting the original structure. The project reflects the new expectations of urban clientele seeking seamless transitions between accommodation, work, and social living spaces under one roof.
A panoramic roof terrace overlooking the Mediterranean
Positioned at the top of the building, Ruby Lilou’s roof terrace represents the pinnacle of this architectural metamorphosis. Designed as a true elevated square above the city, this space offers an unobstructed panoramic view embracing the Bay of Marseille, the Mediterranean horizon, and the vibrant atmosphere of the La Joliette district, creating a direct visual link between built heritage and the maritime environment.
A panoramic rooftop with views of the Mediterranean
Founded in Vienna in 2013 by musician Michael Struck, the Ruby brand now relies on a network of 23 hotels worldwide. The group made its name through its “Lean luxury” concept, a philosophy aimed at removing superfluous services to focus investment on central locations, refined design, and vibrant communal spaces. This approach provides a contemporary hotel experience tailored to the expectations of modern travellers.
In Marseille, the top of the building houses one of the project’s major highlights: a 300 m² rooftop with a bar open to both hotel guests and outside visitors, offering clear views over the city and coast. Acting as a true social hub open to its neighbourhood, this rooftop fits perfectly into the Marseille trend for panoramic open-air spaces. It brings together local residents and international travellers over light dining options and refreshments in a privileged, elevated setting.
In addition, an eighth-floor terrace features a built-in plunge pool. Reserved for relaxation, this aquatic space provides a haven of freshness particularly appreciated during the warmer months. The presence of this pool on the eighth floor reinforces the property’s high-end positioning while maximizing the use of upper outdoor spaces.
Four-star positioning and a musical spirit
The establishment offers rates ranging from 80 to 250 euros per night depending on the season and accommodation category. This carefully managed price scale allows the hotel to attract corporate clients during the week as well as leisure visitors over weekends and holidays. Streamlining the offer keeps prices competitive while guaranteeing four-star quality accommodation services.
True to its founder’s musical culture, the hotel lets guests borrow a guitar from reception to plug into the Marshall amplifier provided in every room. This strong brand element adds a distinctive touch to the guest experience. The acoustic atmosphere and soundscape throughout the venue are meticulously designed to extend this musical grounding in both public spaces and guest rooms.
To streamline costs, the group chose not to include a spa, gym, or room service, encouraging guests to enjoy the city’s existing amenities. This operational optimisation strategy avoids passing high fixed costs onto room rates. By directing guests towards neighbouring shops, sports facilities, and restaurants, the hotel actively integrates into the local economic landscape of Boulevard des Dames and La Joliette.
Self-service tea and coffee stations are positioned across the floors. These friendly communal areas located on each level allow guests to enjoy hot drinks at any time of day, enhancing a sense of independence and domestic comfort within the property.
Three floors dedicated to Yani coworking
Integrating the Yani brand within the building highlights the group’s desire to roll out its flex-office expertise in the French market. By devoting a third of the building’s levels to professional users, the project creates ongoing synergy between local workers, digital nomads, and visiting guests.
A hybrid concept between hospitality and coworking
Beyond the hotel portion, the building houses the Yani coworking space, deploying nine distinct working configurations across three levels. This concept meets new working methods defined by mobility, remote working, and the corporate need for flexibility. The interior design was conceived to provide an ergonomic, bright setting suited to focus as well as informal exchanges.
The site combines private offices, shared spaces, a meeting room, and a members-only café. This variety of setups accommodates freelancers seeking a hot-desk as well as smaller organisations requiring closed offices. The presence of a dedicated café fosters connections and networking among members of the Yani community.
At launch, around 60% of workstations were already reserved. This high initial occupancy rate demonstrates strong demand for flexible office solutions within the La Joliette business district, a sector marked by a dense concentration of services, corporate headquarters, and digital companies.
Following this initial Marseille address, the German group is studying further development opportunities across France, particularly in Paris. The realisation of the Marseille project serves as an operational showcase for the group, which aims to establish a lasting presence for its hotel and coworking model in major French cities.
Anchored in the urban momentum of Euroméditerranée
The arrival of Ruby Lilou sits at the heart of the Euroméditerranée area, a vast urban renewal initiative launched in the 1990s to modernise northern central Marseille. Boulevard des Dames, a historic thoroughfare connecting the Old Port to the La Joliette docks, benefits directly from this regeneration movement. Converting the former BNP Paribas banking headquarters into a hotel helps enliven the street day and night, reinforcing the mix of corporate, retail, and tourism uses.
The La Joliette district has established itself as an essential stop for visitors to Marseille, situated next to major cultural facilities, ferry terminals, and public transport networks. The arrival of international lifestyle hotel brands consolidates the area’s appeal, attracting a young, active clientele that contributes to the neighbourhood’s economic growth.
Key facts and details of the establishment
The opening of Ruby Lilou contributes to the urban renewal of Boulevard des Dames and supports the Euroméditerranée area’s position as a business and tourism hub.
- Address: Boulevard des Dames, La Joliette, Marseille
- Building: Converted former BNP Paribas office building
- Capacity: 237 rooms over 9 floors
- Rates: From €80 to €250 per night
- Professional spaces: 9 work zones at Yani across 3 levels (private offices, shared spaces, meeting room, members-only café)
- Signature features: 300 m² rooftop, 8th-floor pool, in-room Marshall amp, guitar loan at reception, tea/coffee stations on guest floors
