From first visit to final details, VINGT Paris Founder & CEO Susie Hollands helped Chromeo frontman Dave Macklovitch bring his Parisian vision to life.

What began as a casual coffee meeting on rue des Tournelles turned into a deeply personal and rewarding real-estate journey with the frontman of Chromeo, Dave Macklovitch. We share how VINGT Paris Founder & CEO Susie Hollands worked with the Canadian electro-funk musician to turn his vision into a reality.

The search begins

The apartment has become a shared Parisian base for Dave and his brother Alain.

Susie was introduced to Dave Macklovitch through a close personal friend, DJ Louisahhh. He was looking to acquire an apartment in Paris and she quickly understood that this was going to be much more than a standard property search.

Over coffee, Dave spoke openly about his bicultural heritage and his lifelong love of France – particularly Paris. Already a property owner in Montreal and Los Angeles, his ambition was to thoughtfully expand his portfolio in a city that felt deeply connected to his identity (he taught French language and literature at Columbia University and Barnard College back in the 2000s).

What started as an individual investment soon evolved into a true family project. Dave’s brother Alain, the world-renowned DJ A-Trak, joined the venture, becoming a co-owner of what would ultimately be a shared Parisian base.

Building the right team

The first step was to define a realistic budget and assemble the right partners. Financing in France can be complex, especially for international buyers, but Susie was able to connect Dave with Amaury, a hands-on professional whose pragmatic approach and dedication made the process both smooth and (relatively) enjoyable.

With the foundations in place, the focus shifted to location. The brief was clear: an up-and-coming Parisian neighborhood – interesting and authentic, but not overly trendy – paired with an apartment that embodied real Parisian charm.

To make Dave Macklovitch’s vision a reality, Susie brought together a dedicated team of experienced professionals.

To achieve this, Susie recommended a trusted colleague Thibault Bellanger who had previously worked closely with Susie for seven years. Acting as buyer’s agent, Thibault conducted an in-depth search over four months, carefully sourcing opportunities that aligned with both the aesthetic and long-term vision of the project.

The result

What began with coffee on rue des Tournelles ultimately led to a beautifully designed apartment on boulevard Beaumarchais.

Bespoke design elements elevate every room.

Throughout the process, design was a constant and collaborative conversation. Dave played an active role, bringing a refined aesthetic shaped by his travels, music, and background. The apartment reflects this sensibility through carefully chosen vintage furniture pieces – staples from midcentury and space-age Italian, French and Scandinavian design – a balance of modern lines and Parisian character, and a clear intention to create a space that feels both personal and timeless.

To find our more about VINGT Paris’ buyer’s agent services, click here.

Brothers Dave and Alain are perhaps better known as the frontman of the band Chromeo and the world-renowned DJ A-Trak.

Discover Dave’s top tips for living like a local in Paris

What’s your favourite local bar?

L’Étincelle, right behind the apartment. Neighborhood classic, permanently packed.

How about your favourite local café/restaurant?

Right down Beaumarchais on the corner of Boulevard du Temple, it’s called Martin. High-brow low-brow superb fine dining disguised as a random bar.

What’s your local indulgence?

Almond croissants from Moon a few doors down.

And your guilty pleasure?

Spending way too much time people watching at Le Progrès.

Finally, what’s the best thing about your quartier?

There’s truly no better Parisian location: equidistant from République and Bastille, one street over is the Marais, behind the apartment is Oberkampf. Everything else is a 10-minute bike ride max.