Tunis: A true guardian of collective memory and a landmark of Tunisian tourism, the Hotel Carlton Tunis celebrated its 100th anniversary on Friday evening. Located on the Habib Bourguiba avenue, the 3-star Hotel Carlton is a Tunisian hospitality institution founded in 1926. According to Agence Tunis Afrique Presse, the hotel was born from the vision of its Sicilian owner Giuseppe (Joseph) Abita and designed by French engineer-architect Gilbert Van Raepenbusch. In 1958, the building was taken over by Messaoud Ben Smail, a notable figure of solidarity between Tunisia and Algeria, initiating more than 60 years of family management. The hotel also served as a discreet headquarters for the leadership of the Algerian National Liberation Front (FLN) on their march towards independence. Boasting a remarkable eclectic façade with Art Deco influences, which is classified as a heritage site, the Carlton has traversed the eras without losing any of its historical charm. The establishment underwent significant renovatio n works between 2023 and 2025, equipping itself with modern conference rooms. More than just a hotel, the Carlton is a crossroads where history was written, hosting international legends such as actress Suzy Vernon in the late 1920s, Josephine Baker in 1935, and Nina Simone, who resided there for months in the 1990s. This cultural spirit has been cemented over the decades, notably with the monumental street art mural by the ST4 collective on its rear façade in 2018, the "Liberty" sculpture signed by Inkman in 2020, and numerous other artworks adorning its spaces. To crown this century of existence, an initial day of festivities was organised on September 10, featuring a young generation of talented artists including Radhi Chaouali, Dhirar Kefi, Fahd Abda, Amira Klai, and Mehdi Grissa. The festivities will continue on the evening of September 11, with an open-air concert on Avenue Habib Bourguiba by Tunisian opera singer Hassen Doss. These celebrations will extend until September 15, 2026, featuring an exhib ition of photographs and unpublished archives, open to all enthusiasts of the capital's heritage and memory. Speaking on this occasion, Hotel General Manager Ridha Saidani affirmed that a major renovation project for the hotel has been underway for four years, in compliance with international standards in this field. An extension project is also underway to establish a 4-star hotel unit, which is expected to be completed in two years. He further underlined that "discussions are underway to explore the possibility of developing a boutique hotel concept to set the hotel apart from the standardisation of large chains."