Is recycling in the air these days? It's an idea that's gaining ground every day when it comes to furniture, clothes, plastics and other used materials. The Envergure project takes this upcycling approach even further. While the Airbus A380 is pushed into retirement by a number of companiesFrédéric Deleuze intends to give a second life to one of these aircraft destined for dismantling. Based in Toulouse, this former aircraft manufacturer engineer has set himself the career goal of transforming the building into a three-star hotel with 31 rooms and suites.
Although the facility is due to open its doors in 2024, the project is currently only at the technical and economic feasibility stage, with conclusions expected by the end of the first quarter. " We are also awaiting approval to obtain the land, which should arrive in the same timeframe." explains Frédéric Deleuze. The site is perfectly suited to the reconfiguration of an A380, as it is located in the aeronautical activity zoneLocated in the northern part of Toulouse-Blagnac airport, in the immediate vicinity of the Aeroscopia museum.
The future hotel will naturally target curious tourists and aviation enthusiasts, as well as a large business clientele thanks to its location. at the heart of a business zone and the proximity of the new MEETT exhibition centre. " Based on the market studies I've carried out, and the discussions I've had, we can say that B2C and B2B will be about 50-50." says Frédéric Deleuze, who has surrounded himself with friends specialising in architecture and the hotel and restaurant industry to develop this project, which is also supported by the Toulouse Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Occitanie Tourism Fund.
Active retirement for an A380
To complete the experience, the Envergure project will add to the hotel-plane a bistronomic restaurant 60 covers in a building reminiscent of a control tower. Offering a limited menu based on local and seasonal products, the restaurant will be extended by a large terrace with a view of the A380, which can be used for private functions. business events. "The concept lends itself well to this!" says Frédéric Deleuze.
As original as it is, the idea is not totally new, and there are half a dozen examples of aircraft hotels in the world. From unusual experiences These range from a former B727 that has been permanently installed in the heart of the Costa Rican canopy - the Hotel Costa Verde - to an Ilyushin from the former East German airline Interflug transformed into a luxury suite at Teuge airport in the Netherlands, and a Bristol Freightor from the Vietnam War in New Zealand. Closer to home, the Haut-Village campsite in Saint-Michel-Chef-Chef has also made a speciality of converting two small aircraft, a Skylander and a Grumman Gulfstream, into family accommodation, while in Xertigny, in the Vosges, a former Corsair Caravelle has been converted into a loft for up to eight people.
Did all these ideas inspire the former Airbus engineer? " Things went the other way roundhe explains. I first imagined the concept and then looked to see if other things were being done on an equivalent model. "None of these predominantly leisure projects has the scale of the Toulouse project, apart from one that comes close in terms of location. Stockholm Arlanda airport - and the size of the aircraft: a Boeing 747 bearing the Singapore Airlines pennant in the 1970s.
Opened in 2009, the Jumbo Stay establishment, like the Toulouse project, has around thirty rooms. However, most of them are youth hostel-style dormitories with four beds eachThere are a limited number of rooms with private showers and toilets, including the suite installed in the cockpit of the 747.
" The business model is different, with the Jumbo Stay being more of a backpacker." explains Frédéric Deleuze. The Airbus A380 offers a much larger surface area than Boeing's giant of the sky, and its fuselage will be able to house rooms ranging from 16 m2 to 23 m2, compared with just 6 m2 for the JumboStay dormitories. All will offer the comfort expected by business travellers, with queen-size beds and desk space, private bathroom and toilet. For even greater comfort, the project also includes two suites of around 35 m2: the Cockpit suite, fitted out as its name suggests in the cockpit of the aircraft and featuring a bathroom with bathtub, and the Duplex suite, at the rear of the aircraft. Using the A380's original staircase, it extends over two floors and includes two bedrooms, a bathroom with WC and an office area.
