The Landmark

Beirut Central District - Beirut, Lebanon


http://www.worldviewcities.org/beirut/images/beirut/city_5.jpg http://france.archiseek.com/news/2004/000009.jpg

Owners: The Landmark Company (Kuwaiti/Lebanese)

Architect: Jean Nouvel

Official Website: www.landmarklb.com



The Landmark in downtown Beirut, comprising residential, commercial and entertainment premises as well as a luxury hotel, is a USD149 million project designed by the well-known architect Jean Nouvel. The mixed-use center will include a 5-star hotel with 175 rooms and 15 suites, 39 service apartments and apartments for sale, as well as a health club, spa and business center. In addition, a shopping mall, cinema and entertainment center will be incorporated, all with access to ample underground parking facilities.

The focal point of Nouvel’s design will be a 150-meter tower flanked by two additional buildings, both connected to the tower by pedestrian bridges at various levels. The 44-meter North Building will have 9 floors, while the South Building will, at 55 meters, be 10 floors high.

The project, expected to be completed by December 2008 and provide around 345 job opportunities, is being developed by Landmark s.a.l. and was awarded investment and development incentives as per Package Deal Contract.


"My design will be aligned with the spirit of Beirut's history, but also to create a new Beirut"
- Jean Nouvel



http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/9209/3fz9.jpg

Landmark raises its investment capital from $149 million to $240 million

2/11/2006
The Lebanon Brief

Investment Development Authority of Lebanon (IDAL) announced that it has amended the Package Deal Contract it signed with Landmark s.a.l to include a wider range of services and benefits. The amendment of the investment and development incentives was executed because Landmark raised the investment capital of its project from $149m to $240m.

Landmark is a touristic commercial project in downtown Beirut and was approved by IDAL in 2005. It consists of a 150 meter tower with residential, commercial, and entertainment premises and includes a five star luxury hotel. The project, which provides around 345 job opportunities, is expected to be completed by December 2008.

im lost..where will it be located at?

where will it be located at?
It will be located in Riad el Solh square. Currently, the place is a parking lot.

I tried to make it bit easier...

http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/3748/landmarklocation1yz.jpg

It has not been approved yet and I have a strong feeling it will not be approved under its current height. I will ask my cousin for details.

It has not been approved yet and I have a strong feeling it will not be approved under its current height. I will ask my cousin for details.


The project itself has been approved by the Investment Development Authority of Lebanon (IDAL), but as you said, the exact height may be subject to change.

Yes, the height is still an issue.

The project itself has been approved by the Investment Development Authority of Lebanon (IDAL), but as you said, the exact height may be subject to change.

The Investment Development Authority of Lebanon (IDAL) does not approve construction projects. They provide incentives to any kind of investment in the country. There are certain requirements that need to be filled and once they are filled, the investment firm can apply for incentives (mainly tax breaks) to implement the project. IDAL reviews the investment projects (they don't necessarily have to be buildings, any kind of investment both local and foreign) and then they review them whether to approve incentives or not. They also help in doing the various legal work and overcome hurdles of bureaucracy which are particularly notorious in Lebanon. It is to encourage local and foreign investment in the country and so far it has been pretty successful, but they are not who approve construction projects nor do they have the authority to do so.

It's the Beirut Municipality that approves construction projects and issues the construction permits. The Beirut Municipality is this beautiful building on Weygand Street:

http://users.adelphia.net/~nabilb727/Beirut/cityhall.jpg

They refused the Landmark project last summer because of its height. They then applied for derogation and I imagine they will refuse it again. We will find out sometime this summer maybe. Riad al Solh Square is zoned for low-rise construction only.

There are also many complaining about its very abstract architecture which does not blend in with the surrounding buildings at all. This project will not get off recently. They were supposed to start construction in 2004.

Thanks for that info Lebanese Cedar, it just seemed to me that this project is going to happen for real, and this article (as recent as Feb 2006) makes no mention of any complications but rather refers to the project as something positive for the city and on track to be completed by 2008.

Landmark raises its investment capital from $149 million to $240 million

2/11/2006
The Lebanon Brief

Investment Development Authority of Lebanon (IDAL) announced that it has amended the Package Deal Contract it signed with Landmark s.a.l to include a wider range of services and benefits. The amendment of the investment and development incentives was executed because Landmark raised the investment capital of its project from $149m to $240m.

Landmark is a touristic commercial project in downtown Beirut and was approved by IDAL in 2005. It consists of a 150 meter tower with residential, commercial, and entertainment premises and includes a five star luxury hotel. The project, which provides around 345 job opportunities, is expected to be completed by December 2008.


If you have any more recent articles regarding the status of this project please share.
Personally, like yourself I wish that this project would be cancelled as this is not the appropriate location for such a tower, however most signs lead me to believe it is going to happen one way or another.

when nouvel was in israel I went to his lecture, he did mention this project but only in 2 sentences, I think it was called bell tower (castaniela) or something

Livni, thanks for informing us.
In his website, also we find about this project.

The problem is that the tower will look odd (at least in my point of view) with the surrounding buildings. So, it is up to the Beirut Municipality, as Lebanese Cedar has mentioned above, to decide.

On Riad el solh... i loved that stretch. Can't imagine a modern building situated there though. When's the project launch?

It's been approved.

Council of Ministers’ decree 16184
of 2006 ratified amendments of the
Master Plan as far as sector J.

The main changes were eliminating
the tower on the site south of Amir
Amin garden, featured in the original
Master Plan, and transposing it to the
Landmark site, north of the garden.
The decree approves The Landmark
scheme as designed by Jean Nouvel
on lot 1520 Bachoura, and grants it
specific exemptions from BCD and
Lebanon construction law regulation.

The Landmark exemptions involve
canceling streetwall controls,
modifying pedestrian passages by
removing part of the north-south
passage and adding an east-west
passage; exemption from providing
landscaping on 50% of un-built areas.
The former Master Plan maximum
height of the tower is increased from
40 to 164 m with a 55 m-high podium.

Other exemptions relate to technical
issues: location of the technical floor,
direct sunlight, ventilation, claustra
(musharrabiya); and to the BUA
calculation for cinemas’ halls and
double volumes (more than 5.50 m
of height).

^^ Nice, thanks LC... so now it will be 164m! How many floors is that?

^^ Nice, thanks LC... so now it will be 164m! How many floors is that?

It was always going to be 164 meters, nothing has changed. It is afterall 37 floors.

It's a shame Beirut's tallest skyscraper will be such an hideous looking building...

^^ I thought we had a limit on how we could go up .. i dont remember the specifics but it was DEFINETLY less that 164m! is that general or neighborhood-specific?

^^ I thought we had a limit on how we could go up .. i dont remember the specifics but it was DEFINETLY less that 164m! is that general or neighborhood-specific?

I remember reading back in 2004 when it was first announced that it would Beirut's tallest building at 164 meters.

Remember that it is 37 floors, I don't see how a 37-floor building can be anything less than 160 meters.

Funny location... So i didnt get what changes to the original plan and design were made, if any..

I read that it'll be 48 floors on one of the links Libano posted (the platinum tower)

Here is an article on The Landmark project (I am not sure when this was published):


Beirut’s New Landmark

Soon after the launch of the Sannine Zenith Project, Lebanon is witnessing the start of another groundbreaking development


The disclosure of Lebanon’s Landmark project has once again raised many eyebrows in many parts of the world as investors demonstrate their faith in this small country despite the regional tension. The $200 million project came in the heels of another mega project, Sannine Zenith which is expected to turn an entire mountain into one of the biggest tourist attractions in the Middle East if not in the world.

Lebanese officials say that many Arab investors are eyeing other projects in Lebanon and that in the coming few months, the country will witness an influx of capitals from the Arab states. One of the major shareholders in the Landmark project, which was revealed to both President Emile Lahoud and Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, said that the project is expected to create hundreds of jobs once it is completed. The 40 storey building will be the tallest structure in Lebanon.

UAE investor Khalaf Habtoor is also building the Metropolitan City Center in Sin el Fiel. But this building will have a 33 floor tower. Habtoor invested more than $150 million in this project.

Investors said that the world renowned architect Jean Nouvel has handed in the final blueprint for a commercial project that will be known as the Bilbao Museum of the Middle East for its creative, beautiful, ingenuous and unique design. The project, which is being planned by the company Landmark, will be located in Riad Solh square in Downtown Beirut. It will be made up of two low-level buildings that will not exceed 60-meters and one 155-meter, or 40 floor, tower - making it one of the tallest and largest structures in Lebanon.

Costing $200 million, including the $60 million purchase of the land, which is currently occupied by a large parking lot, the development will consist of a five-star hotel, furnished apartments for rent, luxurious apartments for sale, an 18,000 square meter mall, a cinema complex that can accommodate up to 1,500 people, an amusement center, a health club, a spa and a large underground parking lot. The total built-up area of the future landmark will reach 120,000 square meters. The Landmark project is expected to create approximately 500 new jobs.

The Landmark is a 75 percent Kuwaiti and 25 percent Lebanese owned company. The prime Kuwaiti shareholders of Landmark are Hamad Al-Wazzan and Sheikha Souad Al-Homaidi and the Lebanese shareholders are Ahmed Baadarani and Nassif Karam.

"We hope to start construction work before the end of the year, as soon as we get the necessary permits for excavation and construction," said assistant managing director for administration and construction at Landmark, Ziyad Ibrahim Alshaar. "And as soon as we start the work, we expect to finish building the future architectural icon of Lebanon and the Middle East within three years," he added.

The Landmark concluded several agreements with local and international companies to complete the project. These include local company Millennium, a French company specializing in glass, a British company for the commercial center, another British company for the preliminary architectural studies and the local Khatib and Elmi company for the execution and mapping studies.

Jean Nouvel is famous in the Arab world for his design of the Institute du Monde Arabe (IMA) in Paris, one of the most eye-catching concepts in the city of lights. He received a number of prestigious awards, including the Equerre d'Argent for the best French building for both his IMA (1987) and the Lyon Opera House (1993).

"My design will be aligned with the spirit of Beirut's history, but also to create a new Beirut," Nouvel said when he first visited Beirut last year.


To see the rest of this article click here:
http://www.thebusinesslife.com/Beirut_Landmark.htm

(I am not sure when this was published)

05/26/2004

http://mea707.lrehosting.com/solidere/thelandmark.png http://mea707.lrehosting.com/solidere/05/thelandmark-mixeduse.png

The rendering looks like the Holiday Inn after the war. It will look good in reality though.

http://mea707.lrehosting.com/solidere/thelandmark.png


I think it will look nicer at night. Its nice to see the glass windows reflecting off the front of the tower - it gives it a cleaner look and less lego-like.

im sorry, but it just looks like some kid ran out of smaller-sized legos and just started putting together watever he could find near the top... maybe I have to c it in person to appreciate it

have they even started on this Project ?

Jayme,sada albalad newspaper announced 2 weeks ago that construction will begin so soon on the landmark project.

The Landmark website is now up and running:

www.landmarklb.com

NEW images:

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/8004/4ex0.jpg

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/5337/1il1.jpg

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/5889/2dc1.jpg

WOW ,8 basement floors for underground parking???????????This is too much

so its 27 floors at 168 meters, interesting, each floors must have high ceilings

No,it's not 27 floors.

^^ yes it is, it says on their website

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/7862/xzlz6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

27+15=42 :)

ohh lol I didnt see the other one, thats goood then, I would want to live all the way up there :) I'm just troubled of it's facade, how will it look like??? I hope it'll be like the Platinum instead of concrete

Ohh I just read : ''special glazing and sunshades to the facades to give it a unique look", hmmmmm anyone knows an example of this?

Well,i donnu,but i'm sure it'll be something gr8 for such a unique project.

And on idal website,they say time pf completion is (december 2008),so i guess they'l start construction (december 2006).just my opinion :)

This is such a massive project, it may take more than two years to complete (especially because this is Beirut we are talking about).

^^ I second that, the Marina Towers took approximately 2 years (and its not even completed), this one may take longer

Well,i guess it's more related to the company building not the city :)

^^ I meant the politics and stability of the city. Any little thing could cause the project to be delayed...

UPDATE: I was near the parking lot where "The Landmark" will be constructed. They have closed part of the parking and placed billboards.

On 03/11/2006

This is the billboard I was talking about. But I guess this is a small fraction of the whole land plot. See the works inside?

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/4025/dscn1061yi1.jpg

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/295/dscn1062py3.jpg

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/3435/dscn1060my6.jpg

tnxsssss nareg hehe :), im liking the project although I think the color wouldnt match the golden facade of it's neighboor. I guess we need to wait and see

I dont know if im happy or sad at this:

Nouvel redesigns Beirut hotel

5 November, 2007

By Dan Stewart

Star architect re-starts work on Landmark hotel after three-year delay

Jean Nouvel has re-started work on the Landmark Hotel in Beirut.

The Parisian architect began design work on the US$149m (£75m) development three years ago, but work was put on hold by Lebanese developers.

Nouvel has since redesigned the Landmark, a three-building development featuring a 168 m tower as its centerpiece.

The 149,000 m2 scheme will be mixed-use, with most of the central tower given up to hotel rooms but with residential, office space and retail taking up the rest.

Arup is the engineer for the project, which is currently seeking permission from the Beirut Municipality to begin construction.

^^Any avaible renders of the new design?

^^ Here you go.

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/5922/sqsudiu7.jpg

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/4675/northzo3.jpg

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/4246/facadeouestbq7.jpg

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/1669/sqouestnt1.jpg

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/175/fitness3dd3.jpg

http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/4856/fitness2rt7.jpg

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/3606/fitness1al6.jpg

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/6837/retailed8.jpg

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/6220/interieur2jt0.jpg

Are u sure those are the new designs? It looks the same to me....Can anyone point out the difference? I freakin love the staircase's tho..OMG!!!!!!!!

omg i love this project more now!! we need more world-renowned architechts to build in Beirut!

^^It's going to be Beirut's ICON,,3anjad LANDMARK

One more render, I still don't know the difference
http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/6881/nouvelhotel4hf6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

^^me neither lol

sorry, but I think the tower is just plain hideous. It does not fit at all with its surroundings, and it looks drab with its pale gray colour.

I love the other building though, with its staircases and all. But the tower needs to be redesigned and shortened, to become less of an intimidating brute.
There's plenty of room for very-tall buildings in the other sectors of Solidere (Marina, Sodeco, Park avenue, the reclaimed land next to the marina, etc..) where it was originally intended for. Nouvel had to pull a lot of strings to get Solidere to let him build it in the freakin middle of Riad Al Solh square!

Maybe the redesign is internal..like allocating more of the space for hotel rooms..that before would have been condos or apartment kinda thing. They did mention that"most of the tower will be hotel rooms".

Rubisco- Yea they actually ammended the zoning to allow this. They exchanged the allocation for a tower from another area. The Kuwaiti investors owned the land and wanted NOuvel to build there..The design will look better built. The glass will all match in color from the shorter buildings and the tower...also there is very interesting detail in the tower walls..alot of lattice type work...Look at post #49 5th picture

Are they still working on the foundation as Nareg's Pics showed??

Obviously due to the sit-in, this project is on hold. Nevertheless, I thought I would copy/paste some of the comments left on this blog (http://www.dezeen.com/2007/10/17/the-landmark-beirut-by-jean-nouvel/) since it is interesting to see what some non-ssc people think about this design.

------------------------------------------------


1. przemo Says:
Absolutely beautiful!
October 18th, 2007 at 9:22 am

2. CMW Says:
i wish it were a bit more like the band beirut
October 18th, 2007 at 4:49 pm

3. JQL Says:
It seems that it is going to be great! Honestly it´s a great turn back to opacity or opacity levels. I’m getting pretty tired of glass phalos in the middle east.
October 18th, 2007 at 5:32 pm

4. João Says:
well, i’m not so aware of the latest Nouvel’s projects, but considering his last phalo, this one seems to be the best for me… the tower looks too high (some shots), comparing to the other building, but it doesn’t have any worse effect on that one… really nice…
October 19th, 2007 at 2:47 pm

5. anselmogz Says:
is it just me, or are those interior renderings awful?
October 19th, 2007 at 9:34 pm

6. j.blu Says:
The articulation on this project is superb! Glad to see someone counter the bland neomodernism so commonly expressed in highrise buildings.
October 19th, 2007 at 10:10 pm

7. J Says:
Doesn’t it remind you of a student project…
October 24th, 2007 at 4:10 pm

8. Dekodex Says:
Dont understand this…why make think easy?
October 30th, 2007 at 3:53 pm

9. leandro Says:
jean is just amazing! how can he possibly abolish the desires? the desire to end up to something beautiful. he does it effortlessly. he executes things without thinking of what it would end up. there should be a nouvel in all of us, not bothering about ‘avant-garde’
November 2nd, 2007 at 11:17 am

10. luke Says:
Hi. Do you think you could help me source some hi-res images of this project?
November 7th, 2007 at 5:08 am

11. Joe Says:
This supurb articulation surpasses any highrise I have seen in the entire world. This one building captures the scars of war-time beirut as well as portraying layers of contradiction and inconsistancy that best portrays the diverse beirut.
January 4th, 2008 at 4:31 am

12. Ozzy Says:
Its a good project for Beirut.
February 4th, 2008 at 8:17 pm

13. khodges2 Says:
speechless… too bad this is only conceptual.
March 3rd, 2008 at 7:10 pm


-----------------------------------------------

Here is the latest areal view of the plot (recently re-opened as the sit-in ended):

http://cache2.asset-cache.net/xc/81199618.jpg?v=1&c=NewsMaker&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF1933F549535AE5A47FC438B5CF3C3732328284831B75F48EF45

Here is the latest areal view of the plot (recently re-opened as the sit-in ended):

http://cache2.asset-cache.net/xc/81199618.jpg?v=1&c=NewsMaker&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF1933F549535AE5A47FC438B5CF3C3732328284831B75F48EF45

Isnt that kinda small ???

^^ No that is only a portion of the plot that is enclosed. The sit-in began shortly after the digging started.

What i like the most about this project is the Location,Riyad el solh Square is gonna look Awesome,like a REAL SQUARE if u know what i mean.So now,i assume this is the 1st project amongst the On-Holds to go on with the construction taking in consideration that they were already digging the plot when the sit-In started one and a half year ago.

it looks really nice, hopefully we will see some construction work soon...
by the way hassoon, are you changing your avatar on sunday :):)

^^ YUP :D :banana:

Can anyone Email Idal about this Project????

^^ I dont think there is a need to e-mail anyone since it is still too soon to see any major signs of change on the ground concerning this project. Remember, they just opened the road! It will take time and logistical organization to transfer machinery and workers to the site again.

DIGGING HAS RESUMED !!!!!

^^ :eek: :eek: OMG!!!!Are u sure???PLZ WE NEED PICS :D

Ok,i think this pic shows some changes.

http://www.nowlebanon.com/Library/Images/MainPagePictures/life-new-3eng.jpg

mish mohem il height il mohem inno il jame3a 3am yishti8lo leb is back 2 normal nshallah :D

June 2008
Courtesy of julieharbin

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3278/2545151624_654aa3c5f8_o.jpg

Whats that building with the posters on it...think its pretty cool if fixed

^^ That is The Grand Theatre (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=470263).

This is no longer on hold. They just received there license and starting. Check out the investment forum for the article i posted.

^^ That's great news; I have updated the thread title.

wow nice
one of my favorite projects

Here are some new renderings and interior pics.
http://www.dezeen.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/sq_sud.jpg
http://www.dezeen.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/sq_ouest.jpg
http://www.dezeen.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/north.jpg
http://www.dezeen.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/retail-entrance2.jpg
http://www.dezeen.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/retail.jpg

great design lookslike a pistol or something:cheers:
somebody needs to take some photos it has been a long time since anybody took anything!

Those picture are already posted

Those picture are already posted

oh oops. So when will this be completed now?

they will be starting shortly ..i think its a 2 year build

thats cool. hopefully it will be done by the end of 2010

http://img391.imageshack.us/img391/5554/53563825be5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img391.imageshack.us/img391/53563825be5.jpg/1/w844.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img391/53563825be5.jpg/1/)

^^
great update for the Landmark project. It seems there used to be something on that plot...

R these ruins in the Landmark plot? :S
hope not..

^^ It looks like they may be ruins from the Civil War era (i.e. insignificant and wont hinder construction).

Dual Engine, what location did you take this pic from?

The plot looks too small...that cant be all of it..I think the parking lot behind is a part of it...I think i remeber that reading that it was a current parking lot...Does anyone remeber or know if there was another building on that plot? The middle column looks new but look at the left..it looks like a stone wall

personally i find this architecture really boring, old school and ugly. i dont know why these architects are praised on such ugly looking concepts and designs. one needs to do something more modern, more extravagant, more sexy and appealing.
we could easily have had a concept like this on a plot of land that is 7000 sqm!
we need architects like http://www.jerde.com/flash.php
or http://www.kpf.com/main.asp ...(ppl who designed the marina towers)
i dont know whose calling the shots, but they dont have good tatste...

www.jeannouvel.com (http://www.jeannouvel.com) jean nouvel haha, he is implemeting his design for the landmark in nyc, which was never done, and is still under design phase!

to be honest, he has better designs, this landmark design is really not cool!

The Landmark is old school???!!!
i dont think so .. Im not sure i like it but it is modern

personally i find this architecture really boring, old school and ugly. i dont know why these architects are praised on such ugly looking concepts and designs. one needs to do something more modern, more extravagant, more sexy and appealing.
we could easily have had a concept like this on a plot of land that is 7000 sqm!
we need architects like http://www.jerde.com/flash.php
or http://www.kpf.com/main.asp ...(ppl who designed the marina towers)
i dont know whose calling the shots, but they dont have good tatste...

www.jeannouvel.com (http://www.jeannouvel.com) jean nouvel haha, he is implemeting his design for the landmark in nyc, which was never done, and is still under design phase!

to be honest, he has better designs, this landmark design is really not cool!


But I agree that the Landmark tower is not one of them! I was very happy when I learned that he was going to design a tower in Beirut, and then extremely disappointed by his effort, which I really think is a one trick pony. It's as Nouvel decided that Beirut's essence was the ugly chaotic concrete jungle it sometimes looks like from a distance, and instead of trying to alleviate the impression, decided to infuse his tower with it.
To think that it will dominate one end of the Maarad perspective is depressing...

exactly...go to his website, ull see that this design was suppose to be implemented in nyv, its also called the landmark! why doesnt anybody do anything with mirror glass, curved structures etc this is so boring, like burj al murr...

Its a building you eiter love it or hate it..

hate it

Although well done, I dont think the renderings can express how great this building is. Plays with the eye, with light, etc. Just wait till its finished, which will probably be a while.

Good architecture is always controversial...look at the Eiffel Tower...the addition to the louvre etc etc

U guys r too judgmental .. u should wait and see
i mean this tower is the farthest thing from plan and uncool and not modern
i m not sure were i stand but i sure cant wait to see the final result ...
hate it or love it ... this tower is the most interesting high rise i know

U guys r too judgmental .. u should wait and see
i mean this tower is the farthest thing from plan and uncool and not modern
i m not sure were i stand but i sure cant wait to see the final result ...
hate it or love it ... this tower is the most interesting high rise i know

Where does one draw the line between being a cranky judgemental old fogey, and being a demanding lover of your city? (I ask myself that question all the time, to try to postpone the inevitable maybe!)
Perhaps, as they say, one cannot discuss taste. And in my case I actually like concrete. When I lived in Brazil, I lived for a while in a building that was almost pure lacquered concrete. Even the principle view - of greenery - out of a long window was framed through a concrete box that jutted out of the facade. But the concrete seemed (to me) to fit in well with the lush vegetation, and I truly love that building.
I don't like Nouvel's Landmark mainly because of its context. It will dominate Maarad. It will dominate the view of downtown from the ring road. It will intrude on the view of the Serail from the ring road. And it will do so with large expanses of unpierced concrete, like a massive 30 story party wall. Just not designed for its place, and far too harsh given where it is. I'd rather there were no tall building there - because I think the area around the Serail, the UN bulding, etc. should be dominated by those buildings. Its the ONLY place in Beirut where the public sphere dominates the private. But if there has to be a huge structure, I wish it were less Brutalist. Nouvel has done lighter and more subtle things before.
As to what Amerileb has said, I agree. The Louvre remodeling, the Centre Pompidou, the destruction of much of Paris for Haussmann's boulevards were all controversial. But while I'd agree that controversy doesn't, in itself, necessarily condemn a building, I would argue that it doesn't necessarily mean its great either!

Is this the 1st project by Jean Nouvel in Lebanon?

Don't forget the 9 story glass podium..its more top heavy but from street and the ring road it is "light". The site was actually designed for the minister of forign affairs...I thougt that was a more fitting use of that area with the UN, Serial, and parliament all right there....there tower would have been about the size of the podium and all glass

The plot looks too small...that cant be all of it..I think the parking lot behind is a part of it...I think i remeber that reading that it was a current parking lot...Does anyone remeber or know if there was another building on that plot? The middle column looks new but look at the left..it looks like a stone wall

They are only working on the foundations of the tower now, not the low-rise beside it.

The Landmark
Designed by Atelier Jean
Nouvel, this project located on
Riad El Solh Square is being
developed by The Landmark
s.a.l. It will offer 74,500 sq m
of floor area with the following
land use: commercial 22%,
hotel 37%, luxury apartments
18%, furnished apartments
17%, entertainment and
leisure 6%, with parking
facilities.
Having obtained Solidere
approval, the project is to be
submitted to the Municipality
for approval.

R these ruins in the Landmark plot? :S
hope not..
I can confirm that . Ruins are found in this area , Now , the project is gonna go on but completion date is gonna be postponed because they r going to integrate the ruins with the project.and this needs some time.

^^ What is the source of this information? Do we know what type of ruins and from what time-period?

^^ Roman ruins.

Source is Almustaqbal newspaper, about 2 months ago or so.

^^ I had a feeling they would find something there since the plot is so huge - but my question is why wasnt this part of the BCD excavated in the initial Solidere phase. There was no structure on this plot, it was just a parking lot. There is no excuse why they didnt check first.

Well they have to check first b4 anyone can build...and developers have to pay for the Archaeologist

^^ I know but this checking could have been done and paid for by Solidere back in the late 90s and this delay would be avoided (not to mention the people would have been able to see and appreciate the findings sooner).

What is the current status of the archaeological digging?

^^They didn't know there were archeological ruins until they started digging to build the foundations.

Prior to this project, this plot was just a parking lot. The buildings that once stood there were demolished and they just built a parking lot to generate some income until the plot was sold for development.

I'd love to find out how much money they made from that parking lot.

^^They didn't know there were archeological ruins until they started digging to build the foundations.

Prior to this project, this plot was just a parking lot. The buildings that once stood there were demolished and they just built a parking lot to generate some income until the plot was sold for development.

Yes but everyone knows that the BCD is rich in archaeological ruins, especially this plot because right across the street is the Garden of Forgiveness. Just as Solidere excavated that area and the Souks, etc, they should have done the same for this plot (precisely because there were no buildings there). This should have been done before the parking lot. Question: why were the ruins excavated from Martyrs Square since there was no construction yet?

^^As you said, the entire Beirut Central District (BCD) is rich in archaeological ruins and that is precisely why it would be very impractical and costly for Solidere to dig up the entire entire area just to find all the archaeological ruins before delivering the plots to third party developers. Solidere is a real estate company, not an archaeological excavator.

The Garden of Forgiveness and the Souks are all Solidere projects. Martyrs Square is being redesigned and developed by Solidere as well. That is why they excavated the area, because they are developing those projects themselves.

The Landmark however is not being developed by Solidere. All Solidere did was market and sell the land to the developers. This project is being developed by Kuwaiti/Lebanese investors who formed their own company specifically for this project.

Had Solidere decided to not sell this land and develop the land themselves, they would have excavated the area themselves.

What a great design, it's exquisite!
As I always say, Lebanon is a piece of heaven. :)

I walked the other day and I didn't find any major activities yet (I forgot the camera)
I do have the usual picture
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu287/Nadini234/P1110871.jpg

According to the solidere annual report, the project is still under design, so there's a chance that it looks different than what it is

Hopefully it will be taller!

^^ It won't be taller, the height is the max for that area, but I do hope they redesign the whole thingm, the color and design just doesnt match the location

Completing 2013 now

A loan of $ 130 million dollars is signed between landmark represented by Mr. Hamad, Mohammed Wazzan Chairman and Director-General and between the Bank of Lebanon and diaspora KSC to be represented by Mr. Saad Azahari, Chairman and Director-General, unhesitatingly Fawzi Farah Executive Chairman of the group financial CFH, financial advisor for group land Marc. the draft land mark is an integrated project with the strategic location in the business of the city of Beirut and particularly for residential and commercial complex recreational shops such as coffee shops and a health club and cinemas as well as build of 42-story intended for hotel 5 stars. The project will be held on a land based 7708 square metres total approximately 150,000 square metres. Develop architectural project office world Mr. Jean Nouvel engineer with company public speaker and scientific and will Milennium development project manager's role as a CfH financial advisor for the project. noted that land company Marc KSC to was established in 2002 and owned by مستشمرون كويتون Sheikha Alice Hamad والسيدحمد Mohammed Wazzan-Hamidi interest and Lebanese investor Ahmed بعدراني. the draft land confirmed Wazzan Marc draft token is of the largest real estate projects in Beirut is signing this contract بمثابه مرحله prominent in launching the project. Adding Wazzan that land company Marc KSC to committed, supportive to accomplish its project to convinced over usefulness. As Mr. Wazzan thanks to the President and Government of Lebanon and House and investment promotion Foundation in Lebanon (SOLIDERE IDAL) and for their support for draft land mark which will begin construction in fall 2009 Saad Azahari stressed that the Bank management support to projects that contribute to economic growth and prosperity of tourism in Lebanon. He considered the draft land mark is a draft prepared in the interests of national economy and contributes to increasing employment in Lebanon as it falls from within the policy which encourages development projects in Lebanon. showed Hamad thanks to the management Bank of Lebanon and abroad which in turn contributed to the project through dynamic and rapidly deal also stressed how satisfaction with the general situation in Lebanon, especially since the launch of the project followed by the summer is thriving.

ookay that made a ton of sense LOL
Bottom line: Construction starts fall 2009 :)

^^ Dont you mean re-starts?

So what about the excavations?

a couple of days ago i read in the newspaper that the project is refunded and revived by BLOM bank and the construction will restart very soon !

Courtesy of a Friend:

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss61/budkheir/6529_1207501465347_1162993769_30629.jpg

Anyone drive by? Construction was set to start

Anyone drive by? Construction was set to start

no its still the same as the picture i guess :S
the last time i passed over there i was still the same hope they have started constructions (with a new and better design )

its boring they arent doin anything BUT i wonder if DT needs another mall besides beirut souks?!

its boring they arent doin anything BUT i wonder if DT needs another mall besides beirut souks?!

if all the proposed projects took life in DT
then we would find like 4 to 5 malls over there starting with the phoenician village , the landmark, beirut souks, the commercial stores in sahat al nejmeh(and all arround the area) , beirut gate ....

It would be the best place ever in the middle east for shopping thats a very gd sign

Yeah, but in Dubai the malls are 'Relatively' spread out... And the shops are mostly repeated... And Beirut Souks has about 400 stores, mich 2alil.. So with more than 2 or 3... I dunno... Many shops might be repeated...

But then again, there's no need for great concern.. We have some shit planning in Bahrain that resulted in having 5 of the countries main malls all on one road... Both sides of course... LoL.. And its working out well enough i think, the 5th and biggest having opened about a year ago with 350 stores...

So if Bahrain made it work, so could Beirut.. :)

Yeah, but in Dubai the malls are 'Relatively' spread out... And the shops are mostly repeated... And Beirut Souks has about 400 stores, mich 2alil.. So with more than 2 or 3... I dunno... Many shops might be repeated...

But then again, there's no need for great concern.. We have some shit planning in Bahrain that resulted in having 5 of the countries main malls all on one road... Both sides of course... LoL.. And its working out well enough i think, the 5th and biggest having opened about a year ago with 350 stores...

So if Bahrain made it work, so could Beirut.. :)

yeah but with one small difference in lebanon we have shopping districts(beirut souks, sahat el nejmeh ...) ok we do have malls but i guess the beirut souks project is quite enough to show the big margin between shopping in beirut and in bahrein

I suppose... Sahet el Najme being an outdoorsy shopping experience.. Beirut Souks a semi-mall... And whatever comes next, a proper mall.. There'll be a difference...

I suppose... Sahet el Najme being an outdoorsy shopping experience.. Beirut Souks a semi-mall... And whatever comes next, a proper mall.. There'll be a difference...

Now lets hope all the proposed project take life in DT

Here is a couple of pictures of the Site with the Ruins
courtesy of Beirutreporter
http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz301/Nadini23456/beirutreport.jpg

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz301/Nadini23456/P1020604.jpg

They said they are going to integrate the ruins with the building,that would be interesting to see.

What about moving the ruins across the street to the GOF...

^^ the best way to preserve the ruins is to keep them on site!

Amen !

I do not think this plot is appropriate for such a high building. Personally I am completely against this project.

Not to mention it looks like a brutalist structure! I am a huge fan of Jean Nouvel, but WTF is he thinking?

I think the building is beautiful, other than the scale issue (beirut will sink). though i read that it was under redesign?

I hope its not brutalist, that word scares me. I like the low rise building and its glass facades in contrast with the art deco buildings around it. It is not a building that is trying to keep in continuity with the area but is a clear symbol on continuation and progression with development. I am unsure about how I feel about the tower. I HATE brutalism and brutalist architecture. Its very 70's and very harsh and unwelcoming, very hostile architecture. I am not sure if this tower fits in that description but I do hope there is a redesign... although I dont know I like an acknowledgment of conflict in architecture which is reflected in the tower.

HOWEVER, I do think there needs to be a tower there, for many reasons, but mainly because right next to this plot is the Beirut Cultural Center, and the design of that is meant to emphasize negative space, with the exception of the entrance, most of the structure is underground. So it is a building that relies on its surroundings to further stress its point and having a tower next to or adjacent to it only furthers the BCC's design.

I am not against having a tower there, and the structure doesn't quite fit the definition of a brutalist structure. But what is more brutal than a giant piece of slab in the middle of town. It looks like a vertical prison, or something out of a Moshe Safdi Studio!

I wish they would attempt a modern interpretation of an art deco building. Something that combines the ornamentation of art deco, and the freedom of structure in post modern architecture.

^^ something like the chrysler building in NYC would fit so much better with the surroundings..
however the building with its current design could either be a total disaster or similar to the pompidou center in Paris that was considered a monstrosity but is now viewed as one of the nicest building in Paris..
i don t think beirut should be afraid to take risks but if the risk goes bad then we re stuck with it forever or until the next civil war at least :lol::lol:

well the Chrysler building is my favorite building in the entire skyline of new york. But I wouldnt want something built like that in beirut because art deco was a certain time and place, and I dont want something with a fake authenticity, I really want beirut to take a bold risk. And this current design is bold, but I go to a university that is the epitome of Brutalist architecture and truly and honestly you do not feel comfortable in those buildings. They are so out of tune with a today's values that the university is now investing in remodeling the insides of the buildings to make it more tolerable.

All I am saying is, lets not fuck up :s

I would love to see more work produced by our own homegrown architects and engineers, which will build monuments that are 100% Lebanese.

Published on 23-03-2010 by Skyscrapernews.com

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/2494RomanRuinsHoldUpNouvelsBeirutScraper_pic1.jpg

It should be the latest under construction building by the starchitect Jean Nouvel, but The Landmark in Beirut has yet to see the substructure begin after things haven't gone exactly to plan.

The 168 metre tall building, first revealed in 2007, hasn't been hit by lack of funding or the failure to market the scheme successfully but rather by the fact that on excavating the site Roman ruins were discovered in the form of the lower floor of ancient buildings.

Those with some historical knowledge will be aware that much of Beirut has both Phoenician and Roman ruins under it, although these have often been destroyed by previous developments that were constructed with little thought for history.

Unfortunately for the developer Landmark s.a.l, the location of what has been found lies right in the middle of the site preventing the construction of the tower and the two flanking buildings until the excavation is complete with the historical objects removed from the site for preservation and ancient structures effectively mothballed rather than destroyed.

Once complete the development will contain a five star luxury hotel that will be spread over 27 floors, with the other 15 floors occupied by luxury, serviced apartments managed by the hotel along with various delights such as an 11 screen cinema, a games area and a health club.

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/news.php?ref=2494

Wonder how long the excavation and preservation will take..I would love Nouvel to come up with a "window" in the mall where one can see the structures in situ

In my opinion it is better to cancel this project. Who needs another tower? To save history is more important; instead in building Jean Nouvals freaky tower.

.. If they really want to build it; they can do it in an appropriate location.

I cant help but believe that a monstrosity like this would never be approved for a city in Europe, yet anything goes in Beirut...it's sad really.

The problem i have is its a cool tower..(i know people differ)..however they took away greenspace and setbacks, makling the building way to big for the site..maybe they should remove one of the two lowrises and or make them thinner..Ide liek to see trees surrounding it.

i agree. i personally really like this tower despite several relevant issues

Plus i really think the renders wont do it justice..

This is a very unique building,it's a real "landmark",integrating newly found ruins with it makes it even more unique.

Has anyone seen jean Nouvel's design for Qatar's National Museum? It looks like a pile of broken dishes (aka Kitchen mess)

Honestly - and Im being very honest. The design is just a steaming pile of you know what. It is really confusing and very ugly n my opinion, it will be on the top 10 wierdest buildings in the world... dude... what the heck are they thinking. I would prefer to see a more sleek glassy type of building with lots of elegance and less pretrusions and all that crap..

Dont attack mee !!!!!

(im talking about the "The Landmark" project not the museum)

Its bloody ugly, hope it doesnt get built.

I really hope this thing dosent get built, besides being ugly it ruins the "historical feel" of the downtown. Imagine looking at the Serial and the DT and all you see between them is a giant skyscraper

Guys,it's not ugly,it's Different.
it's one of those buildings,that can fit in anywhere,it adds something strange in a positive way to any skyline,u just take the 1st shock,and that's it :D

^^ It is different but the location is not appropriate at all

Just a side note: French, ans particularly Jean Nouvel, aren't exactly known for doing the most realistic renders. So I am pretty sure that if this gets built, it would be different from the renders.

^^ the entire Riad El Solh square where the building is supposed to come up is now completely walled off with ads for the building, the parking occupying the plot is slated to close really soon for digging and excavation works for the rest of the plot to begin.

^^ It is different but the location is not appropriate at all

In my opinion the location is not suited for any high rise, much less one that takes such pains to be 'different'. Whatever the merits of the building - and it's strange and brutal enough to be thought provoking, at least, and for that reason might be interesting to see built, somewhere - I think that whole area around Riad el Solh, the UN, and the Serail, should be re-zoned for low rises. We should not have high rises overshadow the seat of government, the UN, Nejmeh Square, and Maarad. Solidere doesn't have to 'lose money' in a re-zoning; the rights could just be transferred to the landfill - where there are no political, cultural or architectural landmarks that will be overshadowed (literally and figuratively) by these 'gateway' markers - or to next to the Murr Tower, to create another cluster.

Maarad, Nejmeh, the Roman Baths park and the redesigned and rebuilt Serail are the true 'Landmarks' in the city. They have no equivalents in Beirut. Having them overshadowed by this or any other commercial enterprise, whatever it calls itself, is just plain wrong.

Again, there is a false argument going on here. Taking care of monuments, history, and cityscapes does not preclude development. They can be complementary. Having the mass of the Landmark moved elsewhere is possible, now, before it is built, at little cost - if there is a will to get it done. The same for preserving older homes and their gardens by transferring the air rights. Transferring construction rights to highrise-zoned clusters can allow for financial gain, better efficiency in the form of efficient transport solutions (which is an important consideration when businesses plan on where to locate), and has the added benefit of preserving elements that set Beirut apart from the new cities of the Gulf.

Unfortunately, with each new building that goes up on the site of a garden, an old house, or overshadowing a monument like the Sursock museum or, here, the city center, it matters less and less.

^^:applause::applause:

courtesy of
http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz301/Nadini23456/CIMG0416.jpg

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz301/Nadini23456/bernard-1.jpg

I took these last week:

http://i1022.photobucket.com/albums/af347/dharma815/mini-P8120010.jpg

http://i1022.photobucket.com/albums/af347/dharma815/mini-P8120011.jpg

http://i1022.photobucket.com/albums/af347/dharma815/mini-P8120013.jpg

http://i1022.photobucket.com/albums/af347/dharma815/mini-P8120012.jpg

Beirut will be famous..... for having the ugliest landmark

^^ Just Because they called it "The Landmark" doesnt mean it will be the Landmark of Beirut...

it will tower where no building exceeding 10 floors should be built imo, i hate the concept the design and the location, everything about it is wrong, it will be a landmark for ugliness

truth is i can see this tower built and being absolutely great at its location... it's giving a nice landscape... since all are lowrises next to it and its a hell of a highrise, it gives a nice feeling to the city without breaking the lowrises flow of it... espeically that District S is now coming out... do you understand what i am trying to say..
it will tower where no building exceeding 10 floors should be built imo, i hate the concept the design and the location, everything about it is wrong, it will be a landmark for ugliness

i agree the design isnt nice but wait and see if its gona be a good mall/center or boring useless add on to the list of malls in beirut

The project doesn't fit the center of beirut...with all my respect to Jean Nouvel :)

^^ well, atleast not in that area of the center in particular

Don't forget the effect is to recreate the gates of of old beirut. Towers in the north and South and east on the periphery.

This tower than Phoenician village etc

i beg to differ.. idk why i always walked right next to there and thought a tower will look f**king awesome there and not gonna lie i like the place and the way it looks.. i think i'd be proportional with the church's tower and the 60 m tall mosque.. idk it looks really great.. and adds a great look to the city for some reason i find this to be the perfect place.. and everyday i look at it and be like.. WOW i wanna see that there..
AmeriLEB, what is your profile pic on here is this gonna be built in lebanon??

Almost a year now since the last post,any serious updates?

its just silly .
move it elsewhere .
even solidere don't like it ..........................

^^ dude, you're like a funeral!

I am a huge fan of Jean Nouvelle, but this building dubbed as the Landmark is FUGLY. (I thought Brutalism was dead?) If anything it is poking fun of the Beirut Urban fabric. Its proximity to the grand serail is nothing short of TRAGIC. How did this get approved by the city's urban planners? Does Beirut even have any?

^^ dude, you're like a funeral!

OMG!!! :hilarious So true Rabih...SO true...

Almost a year now since the last post,any serious updates?

Last time I checked, work was halted because of historical discoveries found on the site.

^^ but then they said,works resumed and ruins were moved to a safe place.

Hahaha Rabih so true !
Works are going on, construction resumed a long time ago. The lower part of the project is planned to be completed at 2013 and the tower is planned to be completed in 2015.

In my opinion the location is not suited for any high rise, much less one that takes such pains to be 'different'. Whatever the merits of the building - and it's strange and brutal enough to be thought provoking, at least, and for that reason might be interesting to see built, somewhere - I think that whole area around Riad el Solh, the UN, and the Serail, should be re-zoned for low rises. We should not have high rises overshadow the seat of government, the UN, Nejmeh Square, and Maarad. Solidere doesn't have to 'lose money' in a re-zoning; the rights could just be transferred to the landfill - where there are no political, cultural or architectural landmarks that will be overshadowed (literally and figuratively) by these 'gateway' markers - or to next to the Murr Tower, to create another cluster.

Maarad, Nejmeh, the Roman Baths park and the redesigned and rebuilt Serail are the true 'Landmarks' in the city. They have no equivalents in Beirut. Having them overshadowed by this or any other commercial enterprise, whatever it calls itself, is just plain wrong.

Again, there is a false argument going on here. Taking care of monuments, history, and cityscapes does not preclude development. They can be complementary. Having the mass of the Landmark moved elsewhere is possible, now, before it is built, at little cost - if there is a will to get it done. The same for preserving older homes and their gardens by transferring the air rights. Transferring construction rights to highrise-zoned clusters can allow for financial gain, better efficiency in the form of efficient transport solutions (which is an important consideration when businesses plan on where to locate), and has the added benefit of preserving elements that set Beirut apart from the new cities of the Gulf.

Unfortunately, with each new building that goes up on the site of a garden, an old house, or overshadowing a monument like the Sursock museum or, here, the city center, it matters less and less.

Thank you that was very well articulated!