in 1982 and privatization in 1987, the Suez Company in 1988 successfully participated in a takeover battle for control of the Société Générale de Belgique, which significantly broadened its portfolio of activities. Paris headquarters building The opulent building at 1, rue d'Astorg was built for the Suez canal Company in 1911-1913 on a design by architect Henri Paul Nénot. The Suez Company was long known colloquially as the "old lady of the rue d'Astorg" () with reference to its headquarters address. Following the Suez Company's merger with Lyonnaise des eaux, it was sold to the real estate arm of General Electric and renovated in the early 2000s. In 2006, a museum dedicated to the Suez Canal history was created in the former board room, on the initiative of the heritage nonprofit . Since May 2015, it has been the Parisian office of the law firm Clifford Chance. List of Suez Company chairs Ferdinand de Lesseps, (1855 – 7 December 1894) (17 December 1892 – 17 July 1896) (acting for de Lesseps to 7 December 1894) Auguste-Louis-Albéric, prince d'Arenberg (3 August 1896 – 1913) Charles Jonnart (19 May 1913 – 1927) (4 April 1927 – 1 March 1948) François Charles-Roux (4 April 1948 – 1957) (1957-May 1971) Michel Caplain (May 1971-May 1981) Philippe Malet (May 1981-February 1982) Georges Plescoff (February 1982-March 1983) Jean Peyrelevade (March 1983-July 1986) (July 1986-October 1990) Gérard Worms (October 1990-July 1995) Gérard Mestrallet (July 1995-June 1997) See also Emancipation reform of 1861 Panic of 1873 Port Said Lighthouse 1948 Arab–Israeli War Yellow Fleet Suez (company, 1997–2008) Suez (company, 2015) References Sources External links Statutes of the Company on Google Books, in French English translation of the Statutes Suez corporate web site Sir John Stokes' view of the British acquisition of 40% Transport companies established in 1858 Defunct transport companies of France Company, Suez Canal Company Engie French companies established in 1858 French companies disestablished in 1997