From the windows of Les Bons Vivants cafe, a short walk from the athletes' village for the Paris Olympics, the changes underway in the once run-down neighbourhood are instantly visible.
Next door, the makeover of the 130m (430ft) Tour Pleyel skyscraper is nearly complete, turning the 1970s eyesore into a modern landmark that will host a four-star hotel and a pool with panoramic views.
