Its balconies threatened to collapse: things are finally moving for the most fragile building in Toulouse
Through David Saint Sernin
Published on
The vision of the large building located at 3, 4 and 5 boulevard des Minimes, on the edge of the Canal du Midi in Toulouse, which could legitimately worry passers-by in recent years.
On the facade of the imposing bar had, in fact, been building nets to prevent pedestrians from taking a concrete block from.
The weakened building
The immense bar of 118 housing units was clearly weakened. For several years now, residents have not even been able to use their balconies which threatened to collapse.
In 2019, a decree of “danger on the common parts” had been taken by the town hall of Toulouse. He described, bluntly, a critical situation:
“The reinforced concrete structures as well as the reinforced concrete coating of the consoles, posts, guardrails and floors of the balconies visited are severely affected by water infiltration, digital effects, as well as their obvious lack of maintenance. The corrosion of steels is very advanced even the disappearance of certain reinforcements. These findings are also applicable to all facades resulting in falling concrete fragments ”.
Works until 2023
This critical situation persists but it is gradually becoming history.
To the great reluctance of the inhabitants who are, for 80% of them, owners, the consolidation and renovation work of this building, built in the early 1960s, began in the spring for a period of 27 months at the rate of four phases of work, lasting from four to six months.
They are currently continuing and will last in the first half of 2023.

Complete renovation of balconies
“These works include the complete repair of the south and north balconies, the renovation of the facades as well as the thermal insulation of the building from the outside, in line with the national objectives of improving the energy performance of housing. The coupling of these two types of work allows for substantial savings, in particular linked to the installation of the scaffolding for the entire operation ”, explained Toulouse Métropole at the start of the work.
National funding
In December 2021, part of the south facade was completed and scaffolding was installed on the north facade.
A long and tedious project financially supported by the National Housing Agency (Anah). Co-ownership is in fact part of the Co-Ownership Initiative Plan, which supports the renovation of 58 very degraded condominiums in France.
A site that will allow residents to see the end of the tunnel while finally taking full advantage of their homes and pedestrians to move around with their minds a little closer to the side of.
Has this article been useful to you? Note that you can follow Actu Toulouse in the Mon Actu space. In one click, after registration, you will find all the news of your favorite cities and brands.