Pharrell Williams adds Parisian hospitality to his address book. Teaming up with Mohari Hospitality and Omnam Investment Group, the American artist and creative director of Louis Vuitton’s Men’s collections is shaping the old Saint-James & Albany into a new luxury hotel. Acquired by the trio in 2024, the property sits at 202 rue de Rivoli in the 1st arrondissement, facing the Jardin des Tuileries, just a short walk from the Louvre and Rue Saint-Honoré.
The future property sits in a building steeped in history. The ensemble includes the former Boullongne townhouse, built in 1751 by architect Michel Tannevot. The aim is to preserve the soul of the site while elevating its standards. "We intend to honor the extraordinary romantic heritage of the place while creating a new hotel that represents the frontier of luxury hospitality," explained J. Allen Smith, CEO of Mohari Hospitality, at the project announcement.
Since then, the project has continued to take shape behind the doors of the old hotel. Urban planning documents available in 2026 show several tweaks to the program, including a revised number of rooms, expanded spa and fitness facilities, and the addition of meeting rooms. With multiple versions submitted, the final room count remains to be confirmed.
Pharrell Williams already knows the drill: with David Grutman, he opened the Goodtime Hotel in Miami Beach in 2021. For his Paris arrival, the mood shifts: heritage, luxury, and views of the Tuileries replace Florida’s palm trees. Some details are still being kept under wraps: the final name of the future hotel, its opening date, operator, and rates have yet to be officially announced. So you’ll have to wait to book a room, but the transformation of this historic address on the rue de Rivoli is well underway.
