Carlton Hotel

Rouche - Beirut, Lebanon


Status: Closed/Construction Halted

Awaiting Renovation


http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/9991/26762264d8rm.jpg






The Carlton is closed. There is no construction going on there. That concrete high-rise right behind it is an expansion they started during the war and it was never finished.

^^ I think there are plans to renovate the whole hotel. The problem was that the owner died I think...

yes for some reasons they have not renovate the highrise, just the bottom part

^^ The problem was that the owner died I think...

A group of Saudis bought it from the Medawar family (the owners of the hotel) along with the Saudi company, Fahd al Adel last April.

They are going to demolish the hotel and the unfinished annex and build a new hotel in its place, but no formal plans have been announced yet. They are probably going to wait a few years.

A group of Saudis bought it from the Medawar family (the owners of the hotel) along with the Saudi company, Fahd al Adel last April.

They are going to demolish the hotel and the unfinished annex and build a new hotel in its place, but no formal plans have been announced yet. They are probably going to wait a few years.


That will be a shame if they demolish it because it is a famous landmark in the area...
But as long as something changes thats all that matters.

That will be a shame if they demolish it because it is a famous landmark in the area

But as long as something changes thats all that matters.

Yes, it is a very famous landmark and it was one of the best hotels before the war, but it could not face up to the competition of the new hotels that were coming up because it became old and outdated and was in need of renovation.

It closed in 2002, the same year the Movenpick opened which is right next door.

The new owners figured it's an old building that is not worth renovating and it is better to invest in building a new more modern structure that will be more attractive to customers and be capable of competing with Beirut's other luxury hotels.

Saudi Prince Walid bin Talal, the owner of the Movenpick and the Four Seasons under construction was planning to buy it in 2000, but for some reason, the deal never went through. I'm not sure why.

yes for some reasons they have not renovate the highrise, just the bottom part

http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/9991/26762264d8rm.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

From what I heard, the young son of the hotel owner (who was in charge of renovating and running the establishment) died tragically in the 90s, and the father - an old man- was so grief-stricken that he did not go through with the project, and has been largely withdrawn since the loss.

the carlton hotel was sold last year..2 saudis investers bought the carllton hotel for 12 million dollars...from a magazine i knew that the two investers want to build a big hotel..it would be one of beiruts biggest hotel.....i read this in the lebanaise opportunities

the carlton hotel was sold last year..2 saudis investers bought the carllton hotel for 12 million dollars...from a magazine i knew that the two investers want to build a big hotel..it would be one of beiruts biggest hotel.....i read this in the lebanaise opportunities

Thats great news, thanks for the info! Do you by any chance have a link to anything that states this news?

Thats great news, thanks for the info! Do you by any chance have a link to anything that states this news?

It was reported in several Lebanon business magazines, but here is one internet source:

One of the biggest hotels in the Middle East will be constructed in Lebanon - 5/9/2005

A real estate transaction was signed recently in Beirut between Prince Turki Bi Naser Abdel Aziz and Mohammed Bin Fahd Bib Abdel Aziz, the son of the Saudi King, with Fahd Aladl for buying the existing estates of Carlton Hotel in Raouche for $44 million.
Some sources said the old buildings of the Carlton Hotel will be demolished and a new hotel, one of the biggest and most luxurious hotels in the Middle East will be constructed.http://www.ifpexpo.com/News_show_news.asp?id=1328

I just read this from a May 3 interview with Ritz Carlton's area manager:

Mr. Dardenne is presently working on two hotels at the conceptual stage in Kuwait and Beirut and has his eye on Cairo, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Jeddah and Riyadh.

"In Kuwait we are negotiating a mixed-use complex with residential and office components in a great location. And in Beirut we are studying the redevelopment of the old Carlton Hotel on the corniche."http://www.ameinfo.com/84916.html

So according to the latest reports, it will be turned into a Ritz Carlton.

However, this is conflicting from a report I found yesterday about plans to build a 250-room Ritz Carlton on Rue du Port in the Beirut Central District.

I will try to find out some more info next week when I'm in Beirut. For now, I will take the word of the interview.

I am still interested about this 250-room hotel on Rue du Port though. Maybe it is the rumored JW Marriott...

^^ Thanks, interesting stuff Lebanese Cedar... I am just surprised it has taken a year and they are still at the conceptual stage... I hope this project moves faster!

^^ Thanks, interesting stuff Lebanese Cedar... I am just surprised it has taken a year and they are still at the conceptual stage... I hope this project moves faster!

Ritz Carlton didn't join the project until March or April. That's just 1-2 months ago.

At the back road of the Carlton, there is that big abandoned building. Also, I noticed another smaller construction site next to it which has been barely touched for so many months. What building is that? Or is it part of the Carlton?

not sure how true this is, but i have heard that Ritz Carlton is interested in the Carlton site. completion of the building is postponed until negotiations are complete.

can anyone confirm the accuracy of this rumour?

So that small underconstruction on the right is also part of the Carlton? Sorry, Picture is out of focus.

not sure how true this is, but i have heard that Ritz Carlton is interested in the Carlton site. completion of the building is postponed until negotiations are complete.

can anyone confirm the accuracy of this rumour?

Yes this is true.

Out of curiousity, where did you hear this? I just want to see if we got our info from the same sources.

http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/9830/img00171ya.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
So that small underconstruction on the right is also part of the Carlton? Sorry, Picture is out of focus.


Yes. But it is no longer under construction and hasnt been for many years... rumor has it it will be demolished within the next few years.

Any updates concerning this project? It was last discussed here almost a year ago...

We had a great view on Raoucheh & the Carlton from our Ain El Tineh appartment. The Carlton concrete shell was built in 1973-74 & not during the war, it was used by the PSP (Joumblat militia) as a wepons depot.

There is a chance for us to see this structure under the name Ritz-Carlton in Beirut. If built, they will demolish the current high-rise and low-rise.

This structure is still proposed. It is studied by Chicago based Perkins+Will architectural firm.

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/3949/lg208aog5.jpg

^^OMGGGG I absolutely love it! where did u get this info from btw??

^^ As I said in my previous post, the design is by Chicago based Perkins+Will architectural company. So from their website (http://perkinswill.com/projects/project.aspx?id=208).

^^:drool:
i hope it gets the approval soon.

i don't normally find this type of modernist architecture attractive, but this for some reason is actually amazing!

I think its what Beirut needs! We need buildings (especially on major public areas) that grab your attention...HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb2/Htlebmn/Ritz.jpg


The Ritz Carlton Beirut is situated on the corniche in Beyrouth. Inspired by translucent drapery, the skin of the building is constructed of undulating perforated metal. The hotel suites and rooms are designed to take maximum advantage of their outdoor access and sea views through both the porous nature of the structure and a number of elements that link the interior and exterior environments in each room. The new hotel will contain 250 rooms as well as 31 apartments that range in size from 190 to 600 sq meters. The complex will also contain retail elements as well as restaurants, a night club and health spa.

I am not sure this is the same project but...Jamil Abraham Est. announced it has purchased Carlton Enterprises (owner of the Carlton hotel) for $70 million. The article stated they are to build a massive luxuious residential project spanning over 7,500 sqr meters. No mention of a hotel but maybe the article wasnt detailed...

I am not sure this is the same project but...Jamil Abraham Est. announced it has purchased Carlton Enterprises (owner of the Carlton hotel) for $70 million. The article stated they are to build a massive luxuious residential project spanning over 7,500 sqr meters. No mention of a hotel but maybe the article wasnt detailed...


http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d184/rhmud/banner21111.gif

Here is an excerpt about this project...



February 2008

Developers talk to Exeuctive about the current market



The acquisition of the former Carlton Hotel seafront property by Jamil Ibrahim EstablishmentsJamil Ibrahim Establishments in mid-January gave Lebanon's real estate sector an optimistic start to the year. According to Karim Ibrahim, managing partner of the firm, this was "one of [Lebanon's] the largest real estate transactions." The eventual plans for the site will be contested in an architectural contest with a deadline of March 30.



...



© Executive 2008

^^

Competition date is extended to 24th April 2008!

Here is an article published back in January 2008 about this being a Ritz Carlton:



Perkins and Will Do Beirut Ritz Carlton

Published on 25-01-2008
by Skyscrapernews.com


Until war started to tear the city apart in the 1970s, Beirut was a popular destination for tourists and even glamourous enough for James Bond movies, something the city is aiming at once again with a unique new skyscraper.

Probably not the first choice destination for many when picking the relaxing family holiday Beirut has none the less managed to entice world famous hotel chain Ritz Carlton into putting forward proposals to build a top notch hotel on its coast line.

Designed by Chicago based architects Perkins and Will, the proposed project would have 35 floors. The design is influenced by the movement and appearance of translucent drapery thanks to the perforated metal facades that give the impression of looking at the building through a veil.

Looking like some haphazardly stacked books it is not a tower in a traditional sense it almost looks like a tower that's had a few chunks blown out of it, which perhaps could suggest some of Beirut's colourful and explosive history has also been influential in the design although is more like to be a deconstructionalist approach to the building's architecture.

This idea of the building as a loop is something that has gradually become more popular since Koolhaas first came up with the idea for the CCTV Headquarters in Beijing is one that is, with added clutter, embraced here.

If built it would house 250 hotel rooms which will be serviced and furnished to the high standards the Ritz Carlton are renowned for, 31 fully serviced apartments ranging in size from 190 square metres - 600 square metres, top notch health spa to chill out and relax in, restaurants, a nightclub to boogie on down in and of course there will be the all important shopping spaces where presumably mortars and tanks will not be on sale.

Thanks to its unique design patrons will also be able to enjoy fantastic views of the surrounding area either from the balconies or from the roof gardens to be found on various levels.

Although opinion may be divided on the aesthetic appeal of the project if nothing else, it will if built along with other projects currently under construction, mark Beirut's aspirations to become the tourist centre it used to be.

Taken a few days after the president was elected. The poster was taken down shortly thereafter.

http://img117.imageshack.us/img117/1572/lebanon403largeoy7.jpg

Breaking News: Just today, workers have erected scaffolding and green netting all along the rear side of this tower...the first sign of change in over 2 decades! I dont know what this means because we were under the impression that this tower was to be demolished, but it looks like Jamil Ibrahim Est. has chosen a winner and begun renovation...this company moves very fast regardless of the political situation in the country.

^^ Renovation?? i dunno but i think it's ugly and not worth renovating ...

Well,here is an article about that in Almustaqbal newspaper Today's issue.

مؤسسة جميل ابراهيم تباشر ترميم الكارلتون ـ الروشة

المستقبل - الخميس 26 حزيران 2008 - العدد 2999 - بزنس - صفحة 14


http://almustaqbal.com/issues/images/2999/C14N2.jpg


باشرت مؤسسة جميل ابراهيم العقارية بإعادة ترميم فندق الكارلتون الذي اشترته منذ حوالي السنتين بصفقة بلغت قيمتها 70 مليون دولار اميركي، اذ من المتوقع ان يشاد مكانه مشروع سكني كبير علي عقار بلغ حوالي 7500 متر مربع بمواجهة البحر بطول 90 مترا.

^^ Well , it says that Jamil Ibrahim company started renovation of the building which bought 2 years ago for 70 Million $ , and instead of it ( WILL BE BUILT ) A Big Residential Project 90 meters high and a total built area of 7500 m2.

So i don't know if it's going to be demolished or not.

Isnt it actually two buildings? Isnt the tower behind it a part of it? maybe they are keeping one and demolishing the other..

How can "instead of it ( WILL BE BUILT )" and "renovation" be in the same sentence?
i dunno but if they're gonna demolish it i think their r better ways then bulldozers

I just hope there will be a lot of GLASS involved in the renovation :)

I took this a couple days ago:

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d184/rhmud/001.jpg

^^ What's the Crane for ???

^^ It looks like they are assembling a new crane for this renovation...and the crane in the background is for another tower - there are about 4 new towers going up just on this block.

I took this pic this morning; you can see a little progress as they have completed the green netting along the entire back side of the tower:

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d184/rhmud/P7010061.jpg

I took these pics on July 7, 2008:

A rare sight...
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d184/rhmud/P7060129.jpg



A new crane in the foreground (I'm still unclear if it is related or not to this project)...
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d184/rhmud/P7060130.jpg

They're actually taking down the Carlton Hotel. If you pass my Ramlet El-Baida/Raouché, you can see it. My instructor confirmed this, I was at his place when he bought cheap furniture that was once in the hotel! lol
I guess the land was sold and probably, some big project should rise there. It's a big plot of land.

^^ TAking down???
what about the crane and the green cover?

^^ Only the low-rise part facing the corniche will be demolished and it appears the tower will be renovated somewhat.

I took this pic yesterday and u can see they are starting to dismantle the top floor of the tower:


http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d184/rhmud/P7200097-1.jpg

^^ i think they r going to take it down too.but why the green cover? :S

^^ i think they r going to take it down too.but why the green cover? :S
To keep dust and small blocks of concrete from falling onto the street and sidewalk.
They also used a green cover when they demolished the old building on Shayboub's tower plot.

^^ Thanx :) it makes sense now

So,maybe we r going to see the Ritz Carlton Amazing building instead of this ugly one ??

To keep dust and small blocks of concrete from falling onto the street and sidewalk.
They also used a green cover when they demolished the old building on Shayboub's tower plot.

Actually, the green cover just proved to be ineffective! Yesterday I watched as a large block of concrete collapsed onto the street below, ripping through the green netting and causing a cloud of dust to fill the sky.

^^ Thanx :) it makes sense now

So,maybe we r going to see the Ritz Carlton Amazing building instead of this ugly one ??
I dont think so ... i heard a residential project is going to be built instead ... not the hotel

both buildings should be demolished since they are too old now
and a new modern one should be built instead
i hate the new towers which r being built across the courniche and near ramlet el bayda.NO class

This morning:

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/2413/DSC05156.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk7/mohamadm/IMG_2091.jpg

well the carlton will be demolished. it is now owned by jamil ibrahim, who launched a competition, and actually a residential building will rise instead.

i hate jamil ibrahim!!!

and what about the ritz carlton ? :(

Good Riddens, hopfully that building on the left will do go down.

http://www.elaph.com/elaphweb/Resources/images/Entertainment/2008/10/thumbnails/T_46448627-1587-4cfe-baac-eafd7bcbc4f7.jpg


منظر عام للمبنى "التصميم"
رحاب ضاهر من بيروت: فاز الشاب اللبناني طارق كمال برهوم بمسابقة موضوعها تصميم هندسي لأحد أهم المباني السكنية على شاطئ العاصمة اللبنانية بيروت.
بالمرتبةالأولى .المهندس طارق كمال برهوم. في حوار لإيلاف:

كيف يعرفنا طارق كمال برهوم على نفسه؟

عمري 28 سنة. درست الهندسة المعمارية في الجامعة الأميركية في بيروت وتخرجت عام 2003. إخترت هذا الاختصاص أولاً لأني تربيت على تقدير الفن والإبداع وثانياً لأني وجدت ذاتي في هذه المهنة. أعشق مهنتي والحياة.


مبروك فوزك بالمرتبة الأولى في المسابقة المعمارية التي أجرتها مؤسسة جميل ابراهيم. ما هي تفاصيل المسابقة والجائزة؟

مؤسسة جميل ابراهيم هي من المؤسسات العريقة في مجالي العمارة والبناء في لبنان والوطن العربي.
بعد إمتلاكها للعقار رقم 1147 الكائن في منطقة رأس بيروت العقارية وهو عقار معروف جداً ويقوم عليه مبنى فندق الكارلتون العريق، قررت المؤسسة إطلاق مسابقة بشروط محددة لإختيار أفضل تصميم هندسي معماري لبناء سكني سوف يشاد على هذا العقار في الأعوام المقبلة. وعقدت العزم على التميّز في المشروع الذي سأقدّمه وبذلت كل جهدي لأقدم تصميماً يراعي خصوصية الموقع الجغرافي والسكن الراقي والتقدم والرقي في الوقت نفسه.
وكانت المنافسة بين 31 مشروعاً مشاركاً في المسابقة. تولت التحكيم لجنة مختصة برئاسة نقيب المهندسين،رئيس بلدية بيروت ،مديرالتخطيط المدني وغيرهم من المهندسين. وبعد دراسة معمّقة للمشاريع أعلنت النتائج وقد فزنا، بتوفيق من الله، بالمرتبة الأولى.


ما هو المميّز بنظرك في المشروع الذي قدمته؟

لقد قمت بدراسة معمّقة للواقع الجغرافي ولبيئة هذا العقار. فمنطقة الروشة تتميز بتاريخها العريق وبموقع يعتبر من أجمل المواقع الجغرافية على شاطئ مدينة بيروت، وهي مصنفة كمنطقة سكنية راقية وسياحية بإمتياز.
ولذلك راعيت في التصميم الهندسي مواصفات السكن العصري والفخم والأنيق
إضافة الى توافر أحدث التقنيات ووسائل الرفاهية والراحة وشروط البناء العالمية، تداخلت الخطوط الجمالية في الشكل العام، مع إدخال فواصل خضراء، هي عبارة عن حدائق معلقة بين الطوابق تؤمن الفصل والخصوصية بين المساكن.


ما هو دور والدك المهندس كمال برهوم في إنجاح هذا المشروع؟

طبعاً كل ما قدمته هو بفضل الخزّان الكبير من المعلومات والمعنويات التي تراكمت عندي بفضل وجود والدي في حياتي ودعمه الدائم لي. وفي تصاميم هذا المشروع رؤيتي الخاصة والخاصة جداً لمفهوم عيش يدمج الحداثة بالفخامة، وقد تطلب ذلك مني جهداً كبيراً وعملاً دؤوباً. ولا أنكر اني إستشرت الوالد ببعض التفاصيل التقنية لأن خبرته في هذا المجال لا يستهان بها أبداً.
أما بالنسبة إلى شركتنا ديزاين كلاس فأشكر كل العاملين فيها لأنهم قدموا لي كل الدعم المعنوي والتسهيلات التقنية وأخصّ بالشكر المهندس جوزيف لحدو الذي شاركني أيضاً في هذا العمل لإبرازه بأفضل صورة.
وهنا إسمحوا لي أن أشكر أيضاً والدتي وشقيقتي كثيراً فوجودهما مع والدي الى جانبي دائماً هو أكبر ملهم وسند لي.


المهندس طارق مع والده كمال برهوم خلال العمل
تبلغ قيمة جائزة المرتبة الأولى /75.000/$ هل يعتبر هذا المبلغ حافزاً مهماً؟

أشكر مؤسسة جميل ابراهيم لأنها أعطتنا هذه الفرصة، كما ولجنة التحكيم برئاسة النقيب بلال علايلي لأنهم منحوني هذه الثقة. وطبعاً لكل جائزة دور، فهي جزء من الفوز، وأبعد من القيمة المادية، هناك الدفع المعنوي الكبير، والشعور بنشوة الفوز، إضافة الى جرعة الإندفاع الكبير التي تمنحك إياها الجائزة لبذل جهد أكبر من أجل تحقيق إنتاج أفضل وأبرز في المستقبل.
وكما وأني أتوجه بالتهنئة لزملائي الذين فازوا بالمراتب الباقية

THIS IS WHAT THE BUILDING IS SUPPOSED TO LOOK LIKE FROM FAR, WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK?

http://www.elaph.com/elaphweb/Resources/images/Entertainment/2008/10/thumbnails/T_2977a0bc-7484-47b4-a719-0622f62a1385.jpg

^^I can't see any photo...

well i m work and don t have access to photo sharing webpages so here is the link.
http://www.elaph.com/Web/Entertainment/2008/10/370594.htm

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d184/rhmud/1-14.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d184/rhmud/2-9.jpg

Absolutely stunning...much more unique than I expected.

Can someone please translate the article?

hmm...I'm not sure if I like it yet...

The article is an interview with the winner.

Translation (main points):

Tarek Kamal Barhoum is the lebanese youngman who won the contest made by Jamil Ibrahim for a RESIDENTIAL TOWER(???). He's a 28 years old engineer, Graduated from AUB in 2003. [talk about himself]

jamil Ibrahim owned the famous plot number 1147 in Beirut and made a contest for a residential tower that should goes up there in the upcoming years. Tarek studiyed the geography and the history of the location.

There were 31 proposals.

[Tarel talks about himslef again]

And he also won 75 000$

What about this thread? http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=571325

But this means that it won't be a hotel anymore, but a residential tower :(

Do we know how many floors/meters? or how much it will cost? when construction will start?

To those in Beirut, how far along is the demolition?

^^No, nothing of those is mentionned in the interview.

What about this thread? http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=571325

But this means that it won't be a hotel anymore, but a residential tower :(

That was just a proposal and we dont even know if it was entered among the 30 into the contest.

Ever since Jamil Ibrahim bought the lot he announced it would be a residential tower.


I wonder if we will ever get to see the other 29 entries! Jamil Ibrahim should have posted them here and had us vote in a poll!

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d184/rhmud/1-14.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d184/rhmud/2-9.jpg

Absolutely stunning...much more unique than I expected.

Can someone please translate the article?


woah, what a project that would be. Its so different to all the other projects around the area. Its great.
there was alot of good feedback from people reading that article.

There is some confusion..a couple weeks after Jamil Ibrahim bought it, the Perkins design was announced to be what the Ritz will look like...maybe he changed his mind and decided to go residential...He probably could make more money selling million dollar condos..Altho in some cities Ritz has a residential componet as well...

If you notice the gardens on the floors was kept (read the articles on the description of the Ritz)....I really loved the other building but i think this one is much more elegant rather than so avant garde.

Well it looks taller then "Dream Bay" and I can almost count approx 35 floors!

The tower looks different in both photos I guess it's the angle.
I like it more in the 1st photo, the 2nd looks bulky and I'm not liking the top very much..

All in all I still haven't decided if I like it or not,
What do you guys think?

BOUHOUHOUHOU Snifffff....
I WAS IN LOVE WITH THE RITZ DESIGN!!!!
Still, it's a nice tower, but nothing compared to the landmark the other building would have been!

My mother and sister are in Lebanon and passed in front of it yesterday, apparently from what they told me the front building is also being demolished! I am not sure they were talking about the same building, but from what they said, half the building is on the ground...

^^ Yes all of it will be demolished.

Here's part of the hotel being demolished
courtesy of Drug Art
http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo305/Nadini23/drugart.jpg

wow total end of an era

yeah.. that picture should be a post card somewhere

watch that
http://de.youtube.com/watch?v=2C1hJOczzt4

Courtesy of Malena
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3064/3079309435_f29fc0df94_b.jpg

courtesy of sophia
http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/7263/cccnk8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I read that the plot may have 3 towers on it

^^

How is that even possible? Where did you read this?

The tower in the rendering will require the full plot.

Its was from an article from 2007..i know didnt understand how 3 towers could fit..but then again there is 2 towers now.and the carlton is wide

^^ Well if it was in 2007 then I guess we can safely say that it is irrelevant. This project was launched and the winning design was chosen in 2008.

http://www.worldarab.net/sites/default/files/images/Carlton%20Competiton%20Barhoum%201.jpg

http://www.worldarab.net/sites/default/files/images/Carlton%20Competiton%20Barhoum%202.jpg

http://www.worldarab.net/sites/default/files/images/Carlton%20Competiton%20Barhoum%203.jpg

http://www.worldarab.net/sites/default/files/images/Carlton%20Competiton%20Barhoum%204.jpg

http://www.worldarab.net/sites/default/files/images/Carlton%20Competiton%20Barhoum%205.jpg

http://www.worldarab.net/sites/default/files/images/Carlton%20Competiton%20Barhoum%206.jpg

^^ So this is now the official design ???

:cheers: looks like it

I dont get it ...
What the hell is the third couple of images??! :S
And the axe?!!!

^^ That's the structure of the building ??? :S

^^



http://www.worldarab.net/sites/default/files/images/Carlton%20Competiton%20Barhoum%203.jpg


http://www.worldarab.net/sites/default/files/images/Carlton%20Competiton%20Barhoum%205.jpg

I know .. but the first pics are wider at the base..

^^ Not really,it's just a different angle.

http://www.worldarab.net/sites/default/files/images/Carlton%20Competiton%20Barhoum%201.jpg

http://www.worldarab.net/sites/default/files/images/Carlton%20Competiton%20Barhoum%202.jpg

http://www.worldarab.net/sites/default/files/images/Carlton%20Competiton%20Barhoum%206.jpg

very creative..
still I'm not sure if it's fit to Beirut and that area in particular

^^ It will with the new corniche rails , i hope this inspires the others to do some renovations in the surrounding buildings.that would be good.

courtesy of gas
http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo305/Nadini23/DSC_7107.jpg

Hi all.
I'm from Italy. I'm doing an investigation on Hotel Carlton, in particular to the interior lights design of the '60. Imagin my surprise when i found the hotel crushed down.....
Can someone tell me the name of the architect that made it?. Is it possible to know where to find some images of the interiors?
Please let me know!.
Thanks all for help.

the Hotel built by architects Schayer, Makdisi and Adib in 1955-57 and the annex added by architect Pierre El Khoury in 1966. here's the link where I got the info:
http://74.125.93.132/search?q=cache:...&ct=clnk&gl=us

Karol Schayer, Bahige Makdisi, and Wassek Adib are there full names. Professor George Arbid at the AUB is actually writing a book about these architects and teaching a course on the subject. Schayer was a polish architect who immigrated to Lebanon during WWII. Other buildings designed by these architects is the Horeshoe Building on Hamra Street, 1958, the Shell Building, 1962, and the Ghandour Building. I don't know if any of this info is helpful to u, best of luck.

Ritz Carlton sets strategy to face crisis
Nina Varghese on Thursday, May 07, 2009

Simon Cooper, President and COO of Ritz Carlton, does not see the hotel group returning to 2008 occupancy level, but is charting a new strategy to weather the slowdown.

"The main strategy is to protect your hotel. The value for money that you are able to offer to your customers, doesn't cheapens the brand or value proposition. And then they say 'Oh! I will take that'," Cooper told Emirates Business in an exclusive interview.


How is the hotel business doing?

The situation is same around the world. It is typically around 25 and 35 per cent down at the luxury end of the business, a little less in the upscale and more commercial. Some markets are better. I don't think anyone is down by more than 35 per cent.

How many projects do you have in the pipeline in the Middle East?

We have got one at Dubai International Financial Centre. We have another in Cairo. As you know, we have closed the Nile hotel in September. It will reopen in two years. We have announced two projects. in Abu Dhabi and one in Egypt. In Saudi, we have already announced a couple of projects. We are working hard in Oman and Lebanon. I hate numbers. At least six or seven. Out of projects which are on the ground or we are working on, only DIFC will open this year.

Any of the owners have cancelled projects?

No. No one so far.

Have you put in any strategies for cost cutting?

We have our strategies. In many cases our occupancy level have not changed much. We are trying to be as efficient as we can. We really cannot compromise in what we deliver in terms of quality to our guests. We try to do smart things behind the scenes. No two views about that.

In cost cutting, typically you would be reducing employees. But as long as you have guests, their expectations don't change. It doesn't matter, if they are paying a little less than the previous year. If you have five restaurants, you operate only two every night. You try to rotate them.

What are the strategies that you put in place to deal with the declines in traffic and in occupancy?

The main strategy is to protect your hotel. The value that you are able to put in front of them, people have an expectation that what they are going to get. That does not cheapen the brand or value proposition when they say "Oh! I will take that."

In addition, there has been a new supply. There are a lot of choices that the traveller can get.

This is as cheaper as it has been in the last 10 years. A good deal for the consumer.

How would you sustain during this period as it seems the crisis would last till middle of 2010?

I don't see us returning to 2008 occupancy level. It is going to 2011 or 12 before we get back to 2008 occupancies. I think we have got another couple of years.

At this time would you be looking to driving business from the Middle East to North America?

It is hard to drive business. The families travel or they don't. We get a lot of Middle East travel. When you say drive it, there is a certain segment of society which travels to America, probably educated in America. We get a large share of that. We find that there is business going to Orlando. That is a resort hotel which is picking up traffic. Gateway cities are the key markets for the Gulf travellers.

In five years, where do you see the Ritz Carlton?

I think, we would be 95 to 100 hotels. We are very evenly spread around the world. The majority of our business is outside America. And we pretty evenly spread. I think as far as the Middle East is concerned, we will be in Beirut by then. We will have a much bigger presence in Egypt. I hope we will be in Oman with at least a couple of hotels. We see this as a very strong market for us.

Which region contributes the most to your bottom line?

In terms of revenue, the US is still the largest and then Caribbean and Latin America is about seven or eight per cent, This region is 25 per cent and Asia is about 25 per cent.

Do you see the Middle East contribution growing?

It should, but relatively limited. It might end up as 30 per cent. It is a critical region but all the other regions are growing as well. We have one under construction in India as well. We could have four or five in India. The Bangalore project is under construction.

Thats kinda vague but good news LOL

And its gone guys both the tall and smaller tower, I was there
to witness the last demolition :P
taken may 27, 2009
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu287/Nadini234/P1130157.jpg

^^ What is the vibe like on the streets? Do people seem to care at all? Are they stopping to take notice (or was it just you there)? Are they sad or glad to see it gone?

^^ no one seemed to care, and there was plenty of people. it seemed like another day, however I did not see the panels of the carlton residence, that's why I did not post them in that thread until it is confirmed it will be there or whenever we will see panels

you guys whatever happened to the final design ? i remember there was another thread that i cant find with hideous pictures that we all didn't like, did they change it after all ?