"Habtoor City"


Metropolitan Palace Hotel (left) and Habtoor Grand Hotel Convention Centre & Spa (right)

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A true Beirut landmark, the 183-room Metropolitan Palace Hotel - Beirut is a second home for GCC visitors to the Levant. Situated at a walking distance from the exhibition centers of the Beirut Hall, the hotel is also a popular choice among business travelers.

The Habtoor Grand Hotel Convention Centre & Spa Beirut, is a comprehensive complex of 115 thousand square metres, and represents a $150 million investment. At a height of 123.31 metres, the Habtoor City will be the tallest building on the Beirut skyline and will further enhance the Sin El Fil area. The majestic tower will house hotel rooms and suites.
The fifth to 15th floor will include 110 large luxuriously appointed guest rooms and 22 Ambassador suites of 77 m sq each. Floors 16 to 24 have been allocated for 18 stylish apartment suites covering 420m sq, each one to include a dining room, kitchen, four bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms and maid's quarters. Capping it off will be two penthouse suites of 850 m sq each to be located on the 25th and 26th floor.

A connection bridge will link the new complex with the Metropolitan Palace Hotel. The combination of exclusive hotel and spa, shopping mall, 3,000 sq. metres of conference and banquet space with state of the art conference facilities and service excellence will make the Metropolitan City Centre the perfect venue for future summits, official international events and conventions, exclusive weddings and exhibitions.

One of the most innovating new development in Lebanon as well, is the delightful Habtoor Land at Harat El Sit, which is the first fully fledged theme park in the Middle East and the Arab World.


At present, the value of Al Habtoor Group investment projects in the country is around US$ 500 million with more exciting news in the pipeline. At present, the group is focusing all its efforts on the Habtoor Grand Hotel Convention Centre & Spa, which will boast a state-of-the-art convention center and a modern spa facility. Combined with the Metropolitan Palace Hotel, this new project will form the Habtoor City, which the group aims to establish as a center of excellence and luxury in the Lebanese capital. The relationship between the Al Habtoor Group and Lebanon remains stronger than ever and the two parties are set to continue to grow and develop together.

http://grandbeirut.habtoorhotels.com/images/map/map.gif

http://www.accsal.com/img/project_imgsbig/metropolitan_city_center.jpg

The view at night:

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More information on the Habtoor Grand Hotel Convention Centre & Spa:

http://www.accsal.com/img/project_imgsbig/metropolitan_city_center2.jpg


Habtoor Grand Hotel Convention Center & Spa sets high standards in elegance and hospitality. An ideal paradise for both business and leisure, consisting of 151 luxurious suites and rooms, tastefully furnished with attention to the finest details:

2 penthouse suites of 1,100m2 each: Al Khaleej and Kingdom.
17 royal suites of 500m2 each, reflecting different styles.
American Style: Manhattan and Beverly Hills.
Indian Style: Shah Jahan, Taj Mahal, Maharajah and Raj.
Italian Style: Florence, Portofino, Rome and Capri.
Moroccan: Marrakech and Casablanca.
French: Versailles and Marseille.
English Style: Parkland, Chelsea, Windsor and Oxford.

22 ambassador suites
50 Grand Club Rooms
60 deluxe rooms


Conferences & Events Facilities:

Habtoor Grand Hotel Convention Center & Spa includes the biggest ballroom in Lebanon, Emirates Hall which is equipped with the latest state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment suitable for conventions, conferences, dinner concerts, wedding celebrations, exhibitions and fashion shows. With a surface of 2,200 m2, and a capacity exceeding 2,000 invitees, the Hall can also be easily divided into four separate function rooms able to accommodate 900-seated participants each. Moreover, the Emirates Hall will also be equipped with a simultaneous translation system for up to 6 languages for 600 participants, as well as the latest Auto-Q system.

In addition to 4 Conference Rooms: Al Jamhour, Beirut, Al Hamra and Al Rabyeh, which are equipped with ultra modern facilities to suit all needs and demands.

So, whatever the occasion or size you may require, “Habtoor City” offers you the perfect venue.

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Boulevard Mall


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The Boulevard is the uniquely themed shopping Mall in Lebanon offering a Parisian style unlike anything Lebanon has ever seen before, where shoppers will meander under the blue sky of Paris, through its streets and the banks of the Seine. The entire design of the Boulevard is based on the tiny details of the streets of Paris, the city of elegance and romance, the restaurants and cafés, the gardens and lanterns that were also designed upon the Parisian style.

The Boulevard will comprise five floors, each reflecting an environment of Paris, therefore ensuring that shopping is an enjoyable experience.

The first level is based upon the banks of the Seine hosting art galleries and home furnishings that leads up to the second floor, a level specially dedicated to weddings that will cater to every bride’s dreams and needs. The next two levels are inspired by hip Parisian youths that focus on trendy clothing outlets and restaurants. The fifth level will be a mixture of local and international designers to include jewelers to mirror Paris’ infamous Rue Du Faubourg St. Honoré for the most exclusive customers.

http://grandbeirut.habtoorhotels.com/pics/photo22.jpg


The Boulevard is part of Habtoor City that combines the Metropolitan Palace Hotel and Habtoor Grand Hotel Convention Center & Spa.

The mall creates the ambience of the blue Paris sky, where customers can walk through its streets. It will comprise five floors, each reflecting an environment of Paris and, therefore, ensuring that shopping is an enjoyable experience.

The first level is based upon the banks of the Seine hosting art galleries and home furnishings that leads up to the second floor, a level specially dedicated to weddings that will cater to every bride’s dreams and needs.
The next two levels are inspired by hip Parisian youth that focus on trendy clothing outlets and restaurants. The fifth level will be a mixture of local and international designers to include jewelers to mirror Paris’ infamous Rue Du Faubourg St. Honoré for the most exclusive customers.

Meanhwile, the Daher Group is launching premier boutiques in the mall. The international brands to be introduced by the group include Week-end by Max Mara, Marella, Mango, Massimo Dutti, Penny Black, Promod, Extyn, Pull & Bear, Oysho and Colombus Cafe.

Some pics from inside the hotels:

http://grandbeirut.habtoorhotels.com/pics/photo15.jpg

http://grandbeirut.habtoorhotels.com/pics/photo17.jpg

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This isn't a project anymore. It's been finished for more than a year.

It should have never been allowed to be built at its current height as it is a danger to aircraft landing on runway 21. The issue was brought up shortly after it was finished last year and it was brought up again last week.

The government is currently investigating how and why they got approval to build such a tall building in this area and they are working to see if they can change the flight path for the runway 21 approach to make it safer, but it still may not comply with international aviation safety standards. The ICAO will be auditing Beirut airport later this year and they will probably penalize the airport on this issue.

As usual, if you have a wasta, you can get anything you want in Lebanon...

Also, it is no longer called Metropolitan City Centre. During its construction, they renamed it Habtoor City.

i herd about the issue the Habtoor sood have alterd the hight if they knew it was going to ruin the flight path isnt sin al fil a very hilly area

This isn't a project anymore. It's been finished for more than a year.

Also, it is no longer called Metropolitan City Centre. During its construction, they renamed it Habtoor City.


I am aware of this, however there have been questions about this project in other threads and I felt it needed its own thread as a reference. Since we have our own forum now, whats this big deal? The more informative threads the merrier - besides, there is a lot of interest in Habtoor City and talks of expansion. As for the name, I found conflicting sources and so currently it is referred to still as either "Metropolitan City Center" or "Habtoor City" (hence the title of the first post) and I wasn't sure which to call it and thought it would be better to include both.

Not to mention that Mr. habtoor and emile lahoud are friends,it sucks to see lahoud again doing such a bad thing to the country(by helping the building of habtoor city and it's danger on aviation safety).He must have recieved money for this.anyway.the project is done,we should deal with it.hop they'll find the best way.

the hotel looks beautifull...its to bad it conflicts with the airports flights

I am aware of this, however there have been questions about this project in other threads and I felt it needed its own thread as a reference. Since we have our own forum now, whats this big deal? The more informative threads the merrier - besides, there is a lot of interest in Habtoor City and talks of expansion. As for the name, I found conflicting sources and so currently it is referred to still as either "Metropolitan City Center" or "Habtoor City" (hence the title of the first post) and I wasn't sure which to call it and thought it would be better to include both.

I am not making a big deal out of it, but it is misleading to put "PROJECT" in the thread title when it is no longer a project. It's been complete for more than a year.

There aren't any talks of expansion at all. Infact, Khalaf Al Habtoor is probably never going to invest in Lebanon again because he's angry at the criticism aimed at him for building such a tall building in an area that shouldn't have tall buildings. Serves him right...

He was planning to expand his Habtoorland themepark but decided to cancel it because of the criticisms he started to receive.

It is not refered to as Metroplitan City Center anymore. The name was changed in January 2005, during its construction. It is called Habtoor City now. He likes to name everything after himself.

http://img475.imageshack.us/img475/9449/1155144945bb4b0e9b1o5vl.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Thank you Nadini for this pic of the Boulevard Mall:

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/9726/139060274d52b37a88bb5qb.jpg

As i mentioned in the bonjour from beirut thread,that it's mentioned in the habtoor city website that the boulevard is a 4 floors shopping mall,from this pic,it doesn't seem to be this way.

^^ well this pic doesnt show the whole story... its probably just a pic of the lobby or food court, we'll wait for Nadini to clarify...

Shame it's a hazard to aircraft, looks very nice and the theme concept is pretty cool (good mix) and the exterior isn't too bad either. I'd be interested in hearing about the airport issue (I'm a pilot :), might work for Lufthansa) but I'm sure they approach can be modified to keep it safe. By the way, how far is it from the airport? Might not be such a major hazard, BEY might escape this one with just a small modification to altittude. Cool thing the expanison includes A380 capability!

grzes,

The hotel's website says that the distance from the hotel to the airport is around 12 Km.
Beirut Airport has 2 landing runways from the sea. Most of the time, those runways are used. However, sometimes (specially in winter time) I see aeroplanes landing on the other runways (taking off runways). I presume that's the problem. When aeroplanes land from the taking off runways, they have to pass close to this hotel.

It's all down the placement then (how far off the approach the center is). Too tall for only 12km, this could be rather tricky. The worst thing that could happen is that they could make the airport realign a runway (depending on what happens with the investigation into the building).

Edit : I don't think it would be easy to get, but if it was a hazard, it's exact distance from the runway and how far left or right it is (what the ICAO will look at).

why cant they just use the other runway instead? Let them build more highrises in the Sin El Fil area, it would be better

They are already using the landing runways. But you have to take into consideration that sometimes there would be traffic in the air, or construction on the landing runway, so they temporarily direct the aeroplanes to land on the taking off ones...

why cant they just use the other runway instead? Let them build more highrises in the Sin El Fil area, it would be better

Beirut airport has 3 runways.

They almost always use runway 16/35 for landings (the runway that goes out into sea, built in 2001). The old 17/35 runway (the old landing runway over the city) is rarely used as it is not up to modern standards and is the shortest. It is sometimes used by MEA pilots doing touch and goes for training and general aviation aircraft.

Runway 03/21 (located inland on the east of the terminal) is usually only used for take-offs, however, during bad weather, they sometimes have to use it for landings (from the 21 end) because the waves in the Mediterranean Sea can get high and splash sea water over the wave breaker onto the runway.

This is why you will only see runway 03/21 used for landings during very bad weather, specifically winter storms which bring a lot of moisture to the country.

When the weather is good, runway 16/35 (the sea runway) is always the one used (from the 16 end).

You can see the Habtoor Grand Hotel Convention Center & Spa Beirut sticking up out of the skyline in this photo. This is runway 03/21.

http://www.myaviation.net/search/photo_search.php?id=00422236&size=large

Cool thing the expanison includes A380 capability!

What do you know about the airport expansion plans? I know an expansion won't be carried out for several years since the airport is operating just above half capacity right now.

ahh tnxs Lebanese Cedar, just out of curiosity, is it you that put this picture on airliner?

http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/6817/9901626xo.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

What do you know about the airport expansion plans? I know an expansion won't be carried out for several years since the airport is operating just above half capacity right now.

I'm not sure how accurate this is, so you might want to take this with a grain of salt, but here's what I was talking about :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beirut_International_Airport#Future_plans

Passenger levels have also increased dramatically, with 1,600,000 passengers in 2004 (according to the airport website). Given recent history, the airport probably will continue to see passenger levels rise at a fast rate, but it will only take time. Btw, is there a thread dedicated to the airport because it dosen't seem right to change the focus of the thread to the airport :( .

Nadini,

No, I did not take that photo, but I saw it when it was uploaded to the website. It was the most popular photo on Airliners.net for 2 straight days. It's a very nice shot.

grzes,

Thanks for the information.

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BOULEVARD

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Courtesy of Luciana
http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/5177/boulevardlucianadv8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I have bad news for you guys...well I actually knew this since last month but I had totally forgotten to say it here...The Boulevard mall has closed...there are works going on there, and I don;t know wnat are they going to replace it with...but it's too bad, the decor was amazing...

^^ Yes, but sadly no one would go there when you have malls like ABC and City Mall. And also, their marketing was very weak since few people even knew the Boulevard existed (I asked several residents of Beirut who are almost daily shoppers and they haven't even heard of it!).

Does anyone know what happened to the Mall now?

Many friends from lebanon that have stores and works in the Habtoor told me that the are preparing to open the Mall again very soon

The Boulevard Mall is gorgeous! It is very similar to the malls located in side some of the resorts in Vegas, which are also amazing.

I hope they re-open in time for the summer, when toursim should be at its highest point of the year.

They've reopenned!
It was completely revamped by Azadea (they own Zara, Bershka, mango, and lots of other stuff in the middle east).
They have openned a 2-story Zara store (I think they're making it their flagship) and Roadster and Burger King also openned.
I didn't spend much time but I'll try and pass by and take some pics as soon as I can.

^^ the Mall is now called : Le Mall

www.lemall.com.lb

Not bad :)

Al Habtoor and Hilton sign deal for 3 hotels


DUBAI - Hilton Worldwide has partnered with the Al Habtoor Group to convert two hotels in Beirut to the Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand and to develop the very first Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts property in Dubai.

The agreement will see Hilton Worldwide enter Lebanon by converting the 195-room Habtoor Grand and the 183-room Metropolitan Palace to the Hilton Beirut Habtoor Grand and Hilton Beirut Metropolitan Palace.

The companies also signed an agreement to develop the Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah, the first luxury resort by the Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts brand 
in Dubai.

© Khaleej Times 2011
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