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Historic Château Transformed into Controversial Low-Carbon Flats

3/14/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Château du Tournepuits in Guines, France, has been converted into nine council flats.
Built in 1848, the chateau was abandoned before its transformation into six two-bedroom and three one-bedroom apartments at a cost of about €2.8 million to create low-carbon housing.
Critics including curator Nicolas Milovanovic and economist Jean Messiha have condemned the design as an "eyesore" and a "massacre" of cultural heritage.

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Story summary

The Château du Tournepuits in Guines, France, has been converted into nine council flats.
Built in 1848, the chateau was abandoned before its transformation into six two-bedroom and three one-bedroom apartments at a cost of about €2.8 million to create low-carbon housing.
Critics including curator Nicolas Milovanovic and economist Jean Messiha have condemned the design as an "eyesore" and a "massacre" of cultural heritage.