Nadini
July 12th, 2006, 05:49 AM
Alright since Lebanese Cedar won't post it here lol, i'll do it for him :P
COURTESY OF LEBANESE CEDAR
Welcome to Beirut, Lebanon.
http://users.adelphia.net/~nabilb727/Beirut.jpg
http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/2647/beirutaerial6yd.jpg
http://mea707.lrehosting.com/Beirutcity.jpg
The entire Beirut Central District (BCD) area being redeveloped by SOLIDERE (http://www.solidere.com):
http://www.mea707.lrehosting.com/solidere/BCDaerial.jpg
The new waterfront in development from reclaimed land in northern part of the Beirut Central District (BCD):
http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/4620/waterfrontdistrict0gp.jpg
A map of the entire Beirut Central District (BCD) under redevelopment by SOLIDERE:
http://mea707.lrehosting.com/solidere/map.png
I spent 5 weeks in Beirut, Lebanon to see family and got back 3 week. The last week I was there, I went up with my cousin on the French-made Aerophile Aero30 tethered gas balloon located just north of the heart of the Beirut Central District (BCD), which has been under reconstruction for the past 12 years. My camera's sensor has a piece of dust on it which is why a black dot appears on the left side of each photo.
The entire Beirut Central District (BCD), which was devastated during the 15-year Lebanese Civil War, has been under reconstruction by the $2 billion Lebanese real estate company, SOLIDERE, which stands for which stands for Société Libanaise pour le Développement et la Reconstruction du centre ville de Beyrouth, which is French for The Lebanese Company for the Development and Reconstruction of the Beirut Central District since its creation in 1994.
http://www.entertrainingetc.com/solidere%20logo.gif
http://www.solidere.com
And now the tour...
The balloon itself is actually capable of rising up to 300 meters, but they only take it up 150 meters as this is the ideal height to enjoy the view of the city.
Supposidly it is the largest of its kind in the world. There are several cities in the world that use it as well More info can be found here:
http://www.aerophile.com/newsletter/envois/060105_liban/100105_Beyrouth.htm
The balloon, registered OD-RCI:
http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/3958/img06200sv.jpg
http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/2066/img06525le.jpg
Let me tell you, it's a really nice ride!
Rising in the balloon with a view of the 1st phase of the Beirut Souks (South Souks) under construction scheduled to open by the 2nd half of next year.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/59/img05872la.jpg
Still rising... You can see the foundations in place for the 2nd phase of the Beirut Souks (North Souks) project. Construction should begin soon and should be completed by the end of 2008. The Four Seasons Hotel, Marina Tower, and Beirut Tower can be seen rising in the Marina District:
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/8195/img05881je.jpg
Almost at 150 meters, a view of Martyr's Square. This area is going to be built up entirely in the next 10 years:
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/4965/img05894wo.jpg
Now we have reached 150 meters, a view of the Port of Beirut, a major contributer to Beirut's economy:
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/6916/img05985oh.jpg
This cruiseship is the Orient Queen, owned and operated by the Lebanese cruiseship company, Abou Merhi Cruises (http://www.aboumerhicruises.com). It operates a one week long cruise once a week in the Mediterranean.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/7913/img05992rt.jpg
The highrises in the distance are in the Ashrafieh district of the city.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/9026/img05905em.jpg
Martyr's Square again, once the thriving center of the city before the war. All the war torn buildings were demolished which is why it is quite an open space now. Eventually it will be completely built up and should be "filled" within 10 years.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/4097/img05918mh.jpg
The large building with the red roof is the Grand Serail which houses the Prime Minister's and his cabinet's offices.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/3963/img05923vh.jpg
Looking down at the Beirut Souks. Once completed, it will become one of the top shopping destinations in the Middle East.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/607/img06046wb.jpg
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/9883/img06056vf.jpg
Beirut Marina area. Two high-rises can be clearly seen rising. The high-rise still rising with the crane attached is the 234-room Four Seasons Hotel which is scheduled to open next year. Behind it the highrise that is nearly complete with the crown on top is the Marina Tower residential development. The Beirut Tower residential development can be seen further back. Behind the Beirut Tower (can't be seen in this picture), the Platinum Tower project started rising recently. Right behind This entire area will be lined with more than 7 highrise buildings by 2010.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/5262/img05935uy.jpg
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/7193/img06062zo.jpg
Here are renderings of the four high rises currently rising in the Beirut Marina district:
Four Seasons Hotel
http://www.profinanceintl.com/Photos/four-Season-Beirut-KHI-L.jpg
Marina Tower
http://www.buylebanese.com/images/v1.jpg
Beirut Tower
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d184/rhmud/Lebanon/bt0.jpg
Platinum Tower
http://www.ngarchitecture.com/LIBRARY/html/Platinum_tower/PT_3DImage2.jpg
Other high rises to be built in the Beirut Marina district are the Dib and Town Towers, Bay Tower, and La Residence by Ivana Trump.
Now back to the tour:
The building under construction on the right is the small 162-room boutique-style Hilton hotel scheduled to open later this year. Behind it, the clay-colored building is the Berytus Parks office building which will be one of the best office buildings in the city when Beirut:
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/6894/img06073ob.jpg
This is an area that is being reclaimed from the sea. For now, it is just a pile of rubble.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/9880/img05941lj.jpg
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/1317/img05958pl.jpg
The Beirut International Exhibition & Leisure Center (BIEL) can be seen at the end of the reclaimed land area. These facilities are all on a temporary lease of the land and will eventually be demolished when development of the land begins. The Beirut East Marina will actually be developed on the exact site of the BIEL.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/4043/img05978zq.jpg
By 2020, this pile of rubble will look like this. I only wish 2020 wasn't so far away! You can see how the Beirut East Marina will replace the BIEL.
http://www.mea707.lrehosting.com/solidere/05/newwaterfrontdistrict.png
Another view of the port.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/8930/img06007oy.jpg
Some closer views of certain landmarks. A very luxurious boutique hotel is under construction here.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/8229/img06014kz.jpg
The new neo-Ottoman style Mohammad Al Amin Mosque on Martyr's Square with the Maronite Cathedral of St. George right next to it.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/8544/img06027ay.jpg
The Grand Serail.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/5431/img06032nc.jpg
Looking down during our descent.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/6637/img06131lm.jpg
The Lebanese Navy fleet can be seen in the 1st basin of the port. The large $1.5 billion Phoenician Village project will be built in the empty plots of land right behind the 1st basin of the port.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/7494/img06187fx.jpg
What the Phoenician Village (http://www.phoenicianvillage.com) will look like.
http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/492/59hl1.jpg
A closer view of the Beirut Souks.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/6001/img06190rc.jpg
After the balloon ride, me and my cousin wondered around downtown taking photos. Here's a selection.
The cranes over the Beirut Souks.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/7660/img06214mo.jpg
This is probably my favorite street in Beirut, Foch Street. It is so beautifully decorated with flowers in the median.
http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/1623/img06220wd.jpg
http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/6688/img06234mk.jpg
Weygand Street with the luxurious boutique hotel under construction on the left.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/2152/img06244lw.jpg
The Martyr's Square statue that the square is named after with the new Mohammad Al Amin mosque in the background.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/8672/img06260uj.jpg
http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/9779/img06256uz.jpg
The building on the left is the Virgin Megastore. My cousin and I went in as he was looking for a particular George Benson DVD which unfortunately he did not find.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/4854/img06283jd.jpg
The boutique hotel which will come up attached to the UFA Assurances building will look like this.
http://www.hanimuradgroup.com/achievements/images/bcd.jpg
The Jewelery section of the Beirut Souks can be seen under construction here on Weygand Street.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/5605/img06290lf.jpg
Nejmeh Square with the famous clock tower (currently under renovation). A Starbucks can be seen on the left, more proof that they've invaded the world. ;) At night, the square is so crowded and it is difficult to find a sea in the cafes.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/7852/img06300ou.jpg
Here's a photo I took a few years ago at night so you can see what I mean.
http://www.mea707.lrehosting.com/Beirutpost/100_0573.JPG
The Beirut Municipality, one my favorite buildings.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/205/img06313ts.jpg
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/8086/img06338jz.jpg
The Bank of Kuwait & the Arab World headquarters is under construction here on the intersection with Foch and Weygand streets.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/2788/img06342gb.jpg
The Omari Mosque, an old crusader church that was converted into a mosque by the Mamelukes after they expelled the crusaders.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/5179/img06359mu.jpg
Busy Weygand Street again.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/7555/img06366jh.jpg
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/6170/img06387ou.jpg
A couple days later, I took my mom up in the balloon, but this time in the evening when the sun is not scorching. Before we went on the balloon, I took this photo from Foch street of the beautiful Mohammad Al-Amin mosque.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/8431/img06506tp.jpg
And now the photos from the balloon, I won't provide individual descriptions since I've explained them earlier.
Note the Lebanese Navy fleet. The first basin of the port will eventually be completely redeveloped into a tourist destination with a cruiseship terminal. This will mean the Lebanese Navy will eventually be evicted from here!
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/136/img06530wm.jpg
Alright, now I am done with the descriptions!
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/2479/img06551ei.jpg
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/326/img06560dk.jpg
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/3456/img06576wk.jpg
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/8522/img06580rx.jpg
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/3272/img06594st.jpg
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/5741/img06605hc.jpg
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/8988/img06613pa.jpg
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/5076/img06621ig.jpg
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/2278/img06630sx.jpg
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/1752/img06646bo.jpg
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/9831/img06658or.jpg
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/2217/img06674ty.jpg
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/6681/img06689ch.jpg
After the balloon ride, we went to Nejmeh Square for supper. From the Place de l'Etoile cafe, I took this picture of the parliament lit up at night.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/5215/img06779dm.jpg
Well that's the tour! Hope you enjoyed them.
COURTESY OF LEBANESE CEDAR
Welcome to Beirut, Lebanon.
http://users.adelphia.net/~nabilb727/Beirut.jpg
http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/2647/beirutaerial6yd.jpg
http://mea707.lrehosting.com/Beirutcity.jpg
The entire Beirut Central District (BCD) area being redeveloped by SOLIDERE (http://www.solidere.com):
http://www.mea707.lrehosting.com/solidere/BCDaerial.jpg
The new waterfront in development from reclaimed land in northern part of the Beirut Central District (BCD):
http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/4620/waterfrontdistrict0gp.jpg
A map of the entire Beirut Central District (BCD) under redevelopment by SOLIDERE:
http://mea707.lrehosting.com/solidere/map.png
I spent 5 weeks in Beirut, Lebanon to see family and got back 3 week. The last week I was there, I went up with my cousin on the French-made Aerophile Aero30 tethered gas balloon located just north of the heart of the Beirut Central District (BCD), which has been under reconstruction for the past 12 years. My camera's sensor has a piece of dust on it which is why a black dot appears on the left side of each photo.
The entire Beirut Central District (BCD), which was devastated during the 15-year Lebanese Civil War, has been under reconstruction by the $2 billion Lebanese real estate company, SOLIDERE, which stands for which stands for Société Libanaise pour le Développement et la Reconstruction du centre ville de Beyrouth, which is French for The Lebanese Company for the Development and Reconstruction of the Beirut Central District since its creation in 1994.
http://www.entertrainingetc.com/solidere%20logo.gif
http://www.solidere.com
And now the tour...
The balloon itself is actually capable of rising up to 300 meters, but they only take it up 150 meters as this is the ideal height to enjoy the view of the city.
Supposidly it is the largest of its kind in the world. There are several cities in the world that use it as well More info can be found here:
http://www.aerophile.com/newsletter/envois/060105_liban/100105_Beyrouth.htm
The balloon, registered OD-RCI:
http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/3958/img06200sv.jpg
http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/2066/img06525le.jpg
Let me tell you, it's a really nice ride!
Rising in the balloon with a view of the 1st phase of the Beirut Souks (South Souks) under construction scheduled to open by the 2nd half of next year.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/59/img05872la.jpg
Still rising... You can see the foundations in place for the 2nd phase of the Beirut Souks (North Souks) project. Construction should begin soon and should be completed by the end of 2008. The Four Seasons Hotel, Marina Tower, and Beirut Tower can be seen rising in the Marina District:
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/8195/img05881je.jpg
Almost at 150 meters, a view of Martyr's Square. This area is going to be built up entirely in the next 10 years:
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/4965/img05894wo.jpg
Now we have reached 150 meters, a view of the Port of Beirut, a major contributer to Beirut's economy:
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/6916/img05985oh.jpg
This cruiseship is the Orient Queen, owned and operated by the Lebanese cruiseship company, Abou Merhi Cruises (http://www.aboumerhicruises.com). It operates a one week long cruise once a week in the Mediterranean.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/7913/img05992rt.jpg
The highrises in the distance are in the Ashrafieh district of the city.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/9026/img05905em.jpg
Martyr's Square again, once the thriving center of the city before the war. All the war torn buildings were demolished which is why it is quite an open space now. Eventually it will be completely built up and should be "filled" within 10 years.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/4097/img05918mh.jpg
The large building with the red roof is the Grand Serail which houses the Prime Minister's and his cabinet's offices.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/3963/img05923vh.jpg
Looking down at the Beirut Souks. Once completed, it will become one of the top shopping destinations in the Middle East.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/607/img06046wb.jpg
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/9883/img06056vf.jpg
Beirut Marina area. Two high-rises can be clearly seen rising. The high-rise still rising with the crane attached is the 234-room Four Seasons Hotel which is scheduled to open next year. Behind it the highrise that is nearly complete with the crown on top is the Marina Tower residential development. The Beirut Tower residential development can be seen further back. Behind the Beirut Tower (can't be seen in this picture), the Platinum Tower project started rising recently. Right behind This entire area will be lined with more than 7 highrise buildings by 2010.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/5262/img05935uy.jpg
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/7193/img06062zo.jpg
Here are renderings of the four high rises currently rising in the Beirut Marina district:
Four Seasons Hotel
http://www.profinanceintl.com/Photos/four-Season-Beirut-KHI-L.jpg
Marina Tower
http://www.buylebanese.com/images/v1.jpg
Beirut Tower
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d184/rhmud/Lebanon/bt0.jpg
Platinum Tower
http://www.ngarchitecture.com/LIBRARY/html/Platinum_tower/PT_3DImage2.jpg
Other high rises to be built in the Beirut Marina district are the Dib and Town Towers, Bay Tower, and La Residence by Ivana Trump.
Now back to the tour:
The building under construction on the right is the small 162-room boutique-style Hilton hotel scheduled to open later this year. Behind it, the clay-colored building is the Berytus Parks office building which will be one of the best office buildings in the city when Beirut:
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/6894/img06073ob.jpg
This is an area that is being reclaimed from the sea. For now, it is just a pile of rubble.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/9880/img05941lj.jpg
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/1317/img05958pl.jpg
The Beirut International Exhibition & Leisure Center (BIEL) can be seen at the end of the reclaimed land area. These facilities are all on a temporary lease of the land and will eventually be demolished when development of the land begins. The Beirut East Marina will actually be developed on the exact site of the BIEL.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/4043/img05978zq.jpg
By 2020, this pile of rubble will look like this. I only wish 2020 wasn't so far away! You can see how the Beirut East Marina will replace the BIEL.
http://www.mea707.lrehosting.com/solidere/05/newwaterfrontdistrict.png
Another view of the port.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/8930/img06007oy.jpg
Some closer views of certain landmarks. A very luxurious boutique hotel is under construction here.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/8229/img06014kz.jpg
The new neo-Ottoman style Mohammad Al Amin Mosque on Martyr's Square with the Maronite Cathedral of St. George right next to it.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/8544/img06027ay.jpg
The Grand Serail.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/5431/img06032nc.jpg
Looking down during our descent.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/6637/img06131lm.jpg
The Lebanese Navy fleet can be seen in the 1st basin of the port. The large $1.5 billion Phoenician Village project will be built in the empty plots of land right behind the 1st basin of the port.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/7494/img06187fx.jpg
What the Phoenician Village (http://www.phoenicianvillage.com) will look like.
http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/492/59hl1.jpg
A closer view of the Beirut Souks.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/6001/img06190rc.jpg
After the balloon ride, me and my cousin wondered around downtown taking photos. Here's a selection.
The cranes over the Beirut Souks.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/7660/img06214mo.jpg
This is probably my favorite street in Beirut, Foch Street. It is so beautifully decorated with flowers in the median.
http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/1623/img06220wd.jpg
http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/6688/img06234mk.jpg
Weygand Street with the luxurious boutique hotel under construction on the left.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/2152/img06244lw.jpg
The Martyr's Square statue that the square is named after with the new Mohammad Al Amin mosque in the background.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/8672/img06260uj.jpg
http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/9779/img06256uz.jpg
The building on the left is the Virgin Megastore. My cousin and I went in as he was looking for a particular George Benson DVD which unfortunately he did not find.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/4854/img06283jd.jpg
The boutique hotel which will come up attached to the UFA Assurances building will look like this.
http://www.hanimuradgroup.com/achievements/images/bcd.jpg
The Jewelery section of the Beirut Souks can be seen under construction here on Weygand Street.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/5605/img06290lf.jpg
Nejmeh Square with the famous clock tower (currently under renovation). A Starbucks can be seen on the left, more proof that they've invaded the world. ;) At night, the square is so crowded and it is difficult to find a sea in the cafes.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/7852/img06300ou.jpg
Here's a photo I took a few years ago at night so you can see what I mean.
http://www.mea707.lrehosting.com/Beirutpost/100_0573.JPG
The Beirut Municipality, one my favorite buildings.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/205/img06313ts.jpg
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/8086/img06338jz.jpg
The Bank of Kuwait & the Arab World headquarters is under construction here on the intersection with Foch and Weygand streets.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/2788/img06342gb.jpg
The Omari Mosque, an old crusader church that was converted into a mosque by the Mamelukes after they expelled the crusaders.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/5179/img06359mu.jpg
Busy Weygand Street again.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/7555/img06366jh.jpg
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/6170/img06387ou.jpg
A couple days later, I took my mom up in the balloon, but this time in the evening when the sun is not scorching. Before we went on the balloon, I took this photo from Foch street of the beautiful Mohammad Al-Amin mosque.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/8431/img06506tp.jpg
And now the photos from the balloon, I won't provide individual descriptions since I've explained them earlier.
Note the Lebanese Navy fleet. The first basin of the port will eventually be completely redeveloped into a tourist destination with a cruiseship terminal. This will mean the Lebanese Navy will eventually be evicted from here!
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/136/img06530wm.jpg
Alright, now I am done with the descriptions!
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/2479/img06551ei.jpg
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/326/img06560dk.jpg
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/3456/img06576wk.jpg
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/8522/img06580rx.jpg
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/3272/img06594st.jpg
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/5741/img06605hc.jpg
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/8988/img06613pa.jpg
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/5076/img06621ig.jpg
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/2278/img06630sx.jpg
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/1752/img06646bo.jpg
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/9831/img06658or.jpg
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/2217/img06674ty.jpg
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/6681/img06689ch.jpg
After the balloon ride, we went to Nejmeh Square for supper. From the Place de l'Etoile cafe, I took this picture of the parliament lit up at night.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/5215/img06779dm.jpg
Well that's the tour! Hope you enjoyed them.