French authorities gave the go-ahead Friday to renovate the iconic former Parisian department store La Samaritaine on the River Seine, ending years of legal wrangling over the historic site. Perched on the right bank of the Seine, the hulking store occupies some of the most expensive real estate in Paris but was shut down in 2005 when it ran afoul of health and safety regulations. Efforts to redevelop the site have hit several snags, notably over plans by Japanese architecture firm Sanaa to build a massive undulating glass facade over a part of the building, which is now owned by luxury brands company LVMH. But on Friday the State Council, France’s highest legal body, gave a green light to the renovation project, saying it ‘did not break’ local planning regulations. LVMH — which owns brands such as Louis Vuitton — plans to turn the complex, including the main building

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