History: ESA Headquarters site, 1976

The Headquarters of the European Launcher Development Organisation was originally at 34 avenue Marceau, Paris (16ème). The European Space Research Organisation HQ was first at 36 rue de la Pérouse, Paris (16ème), and then moved in November 1967 to Neuilly, 114 avenue de Neuilly.

After the creation of the single space agency, the ESA Council decided in 1975 to relocate its Headquarters to rue Mario Nikis in Paris. The architects selected for the new building on the site of the former 'Eurostore' building were the Atelier de l'Urbanisme et de l'Architecture (AUA), represented by Valentin Fabre and Jean Perrottet with the Maitre d'oeuvre Fougerolle.

The building was ready for occupation on 1 October 1976 and by mid-October, ESA's Headquarters staff were fully installed in their own building. The first Council meeting held rue Mario Nikis was the 11th session on 4 November 1976. The extension on impasse Grisel, just off rue Mario Nikis, was added later.