i read in a magazine (lebanese opportunities) that Dubai iland developer Nakheel bought a land in dbayeh..Nakheel build in Dubai the palm..and guys has somebody any information about MARINA CITY DU LIBAN....?

There is a new project going in the Dbayeh region. I saw they are digging ABC Dbayeh's parking lot (near the back entrance).

No additional info was available.

are the making the ABC there bigger ?

I don't know. The digged land is in ABC's backward parking lot.

yeah they are i was on the abc website
Dbayeh: The first department store.
Situated on the busy coasta highway.
18,000 m2.Additional 10,000 m2 under construction.

Honestly, I didn't want to start this thread but I have to... I'm sure most of the readers will feel disappointed after reading.

Concerning the projects, I heard that construction for Four Seasons is on hold. Now, I'm not sure if this rumour is accurate or not. I have to check tomorrow as I'm driving to AUB.

As for the hotels status, I heard rumours that Mövenpick and Habtoor Hotels have closed.

Again, these are rumours. But I doubt they are incorrect.

#pltztfgj

I dont think this is entirely correct because there is a major concert planned at the movenpick in March.

I think it's just rumours.it's true tourism is bad nowadays,but not catastrophic.

Today I passed by Four Seasons Hotel. Usually I saw workers working on the top of the building. Today I didn't see. But there were a few workers on site.

Habtoor Hotel seems to be closed.
Go here (http://grandbeirut.habtoorhotels.com/) and try to reserve a room. You'll get a message saying:
The Front Office Reservation System is currently down for maintenance reasons.

I tried the same for Mövenpick. The system is working!

Naregkar, the habtoor grand hotel and movenpick aren't closed (yet...).
As for the online reservation, it was never actually operational.

^^ thats true, the online reservation never worked with him, but Naroug if this is true, wouldnt it be on the news?

^^ Well I don't know...

But I heard on the news that even Phoenicia Intercontinental Hotel is suffereing a lot... Too risky...

Okay guys, Habtoorland has closed its doors now. About 800 workers are out. (It was reported by LBC News)

^^ Very bad news...

Okay guys, Habtoorland has closed its doors now. About 800 workers are out. (It was reported by LBC News)

awwwwwwww thats so lame !

:( that sucks

but is it closed down for ever ! or just when things get better

^^ Temporarily

Well good news, I recieved this by mail today and it seems things are still up and running for the hotels :) so thats a good thing

http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/3074/untitledni7.png (http://imageshack.us)

Gr8 news :)

Yes, this is quite reassuring...let's just hope attendence is high!

^^ I was just watching LBC news and they mentioned more than 25000 persons entered lebanon Via airport only in the 1st 5 days of april ;)

^^ Did they give a reason for this, or can we just assume that the Summer season is about to begin?

They said it's because of the Holidays (Easter holiday).But the most important thing is that pple are coming,i mean,pple who come for the easter holidays will come for the summer holiday ;)

I'm just wondering if anyone knows anything about the dams that are being built all over the country ... I know from the news one will be finished in the next few weeks and then the assi dam will begin

^^ Shabrouh dam will be ready in December

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/2135/shabrouhdamfh3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I'm just wondering if anyone knows anything about the dams that are being built all over the country ... I know from the news one will be finished in the next few weeks and then the assi dam will begin


We watched the same news...LBCI News :D

thanks lirtain

yea I was surprised when i saw it hassoun cuz NO ONE had mentioned it here!!! im glad we're finally doing something about the water situation .. will of the dams generate electricity???

i've found this on a site, Im not sure how old it is but it should have been in Hariri's plan to build it
Future Tv Tower
http://img455.imageshack.us/img455/1575/futuretvtowerzn5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

^^

Nice :)

Looks very claasy - and with the helicopter :)

But are they gonna build it? *inshallah*

im not so sure, thats why I put it in the Project Gossip thread

^^

Ahh ;) - Thanks..

I hope they will build it, It's looks very nice and big?

Is it gonna be Hariri who gonna pay? - Or also Saudi Arabia?
But whatever, if they build it, we are happy ;):)

My favorite channal it's futere because they are 'watanie' ;)

i've found this on a site, Im not sure how old it is but it should have been in Hariri's plan to build it
Future Tv Tower
http://img455.imageshack.us/img455/1575/futuretvtowerzn5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

The spire looks quite awkward (the size of the building itself), but it would have been a nice unique addition to the skyline...hopefully this was a recent release? I wonder what the location would be...

The Main portion of the building reminds me of the Monroe hotel but taller...I think its cool..very futuristic

interesting video, not sure if its proposed or just a project
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lor4EMqDlhM

^^^^:shocked::shocked::eek2::eek2::eek2::eek2::eek2::eek::eek:

I must be dreaming...:shocked::shocked::shocked: Beirut could have been a world premiere business/tourism destination...

interesting video, not sure if its proposed or just a project
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lor4EMqDlhM


oh my gosh , that would be a massive project IF it ever happens

...i dont like it. i hate when entire "mini-cities" are built and designed completely by one company. its ridiculous and very fake. all the buildings look extremely similar. i hope it isnt approved. :(

^^I don't know why but i'm starting to hate it too. Raouche should stay like it is, with the Beirut natural landmark. Altough, it would be nice if it's build in another place on the lebanese coast.

no no no...if they build this or anything similar to its concept (city within a city) ANYWHERE they'll destroy Beirut's public sector. commercial and business property should gather in one general area in the city (ie: city center a.k.a solidere & hamra & achrafyeh), the denser the better and more successful (and dynamic) the public-sector will be. you know?
i dunno, but the whole idea just reminds me of Dubai (many mini-cities throughout that are nowhere near walking distance from one another). and i realy hope beirut doesnt become a wanna-be Dubai...

hehe ^^^ i agree wif wat uve said ... my first reaction after seein the youtube clip was is this a "rip-off of a dubai project"... it doesnt fit in well wif lebanon at all...

If you scroll down on this website http://development.kempinski.com/en/index.php?l1=new_projects&category_id=87, a hotel/resort is scheduled to be open in 2010. Any clue where it could be?

^^oh,maybe in Rmeileh area,south of Beirut,or maybe Damour,i donnu,but it's not the one in Roucheh,so is the one in Roucheh,CANCELLED????

If you scroll down on this website http://development.kempinski.com/en/index.php?l1=new_projects&category_id=87, a hotel/resort is scheduled to be open in 2010. Any clue where it could be?

Well it says it's in the BCD but then it says there is a large private sandy beach...so this is odd, especially since there is already a Kempinski in Beirut (Rouche), why would there be another one so close?

^^ it wont be the first .... two Intercontinental hotels are close to each other in Beirut. On that Site.. they didnt mention about the Other Kempinski hotel being built in Rouche.

^^Yes,that's why i think they Canceled the one in Rouche,they didn't mention it,and it can't have a beach front.so they are talking about another one.

Were they planning to renovate the tower in the beginning of the reconstruction??
http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/3215/2150108006c3a3d7ffc4ouk0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

^^ Interesting, I have never seen it with any green covering...when was this pic taken do you think?

^^ That pic was taken approximately 6 years ago (June 2002).

Well,this is not a Gossip ,Considered U/C Actually,on the Matta contracting website , there's a new project called Babikian Building in Ashrafieh,its Original Value Reaches $60000000 .Bay Tower on the other hand has an Original Value of $10500000 ,so can u imagine how the Building is going to look like??Hope it's something Big and Nice.

^^ It is actually only $6,000,000.

Article is in spanish, this is the floating island we were talking about that is going to be built in Jounieh. It basically says that the
idea was invented by Abdallah Daou and he was given an award, and also it mentions that it will be first introduced in Lebanon soon.
So we do have high hopes for this projects :)

For those who reads spanish:
La Isla Flotante:

Un Proyecto Científico en la Ingeniería Marina.

El fundador de la Unión de los Inventores Libaneses, y el inventor de la Isla Flotante DHOW4 el Sr. Abdallah DAOU presentó su
proyecto de la Isla Flotante Dhow4 es el primero y el único de su modelo, elaborado por el primer prototipo fabricado. Luego
de un encuentro realizado con alumnos de las varias facultades de ingeniería, que fue el tema de una pesquisa académica, en la
ciudad del Benieh – Aley, pueblo natal del Sr. DAOU, se supone que es el más completo y total de la ingeniería marina, desde la
época de los Fenicios, de lo cual mostraron un gran interés varias universidades libanesas de abrir facultades de
enseñanza de la ingeniería avanzada de la Isla Flotante, y que ya existen contactos por ese propósito.

Cómo que también recibió una atestación científica de la más alta institución mundial de la ingeniería marina de Francia en el
29 de Junio de 2006. Es por eso que el Sr. DAOU no quiso quedarse con el proyecto como modelo de estudios y cifras,
subsistiendo el primer modelo en privado, el quería ratificar que la Isla Flotante es una novedad y un invención científico, que
consigna a una nueva etapa al nivel de la relación entre el ser humano y el mar, y que esta Isla Flotante será inaugurado
por primera vez en el Líbano. Por eso que el proyecto ya esta en marcha bajo realización.

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/8209/islaflotanteqn8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

i speak Spanish ;) :

A Project Scientist at the Marine Engineering.

The founder of the Union of Lebanese Inventors, and the inventor of the Floating Island DHOW4 Mr. Abdullah presented his DAOU
Draft Dhow4 Floating Island is the first and only one of its model, developed by the first prototype produced. Then
Of a meeting held with students from various faculties of engineering, which was the subject of an academic research in the
Benieh city - Aley, Mr hometown. DAOU, is supposed to be the most complete and total marine engineering from the
Time of the Phoenicians, which showed a great interest several Lebanese universities to open faculties
Teaching of advanced engineering of the Floating Island, and contacts that already exist for that purpose.

How also received a scientific attestation of the highest institution of the global marine engineering in France
June 29, 2006. That's why Mr. DAOU did not want to stay with the project as a model for studies and figures,
Subsisting the first model in private, wanted to confirm that the Floating Island is a novelty and a scientific invention,
Entered a new phase at the level of the relationship between man and the sea, and that this Floating Island will be opened
For the first time in Lebanon. So that the project is already under way under implementation.

I read today in almustaqbal Newspaper, that Horizon company 'owned by Bahaa al hariri'is working on three projects in Beirut

1-Verdun Towers
2-Rouche Hotel ???
3-Verdun palace

The last one is going to be one of the Biggest shopping Centers in the Region. anyone knows anything about these projects??

^^I do :)
So, according to Le Commerce du Levant Magazine december 2006,

"La société Horizon Develeopment, appartenant à Bahaeddine Hariri, a entamé deux projets immobiliers à Beyrouth en collaboration avec la société Koweitienne United Real Estate. Il s'agit de la construction d'un hotel de 220 chambres, à Raouché, d'une superficie bati de 25 000m2, qui sera géré par la société Allemande Kempiski, Le terrain de 5000m2 est adjacent à l'immeuble Shell, face à la Grotte aux Pigeons. Les travaux d'éxcavation de ce premier projet estimé à 45 millions de dollars ont déja démarré. Le second projet porte sur la construction d'un centre commercial et d'un hotel cinq étoiles (220 chambres et 50 appartements), face à la galerie Dunes, regroupant les parcelles de tarrain des anciens collèges Louise Wegman et Carmel saint-Joseph. Il s'agira du premier véritable centre commercial à Beyrouth Ouest. On parle d'une surface commerciale de 40 000 à 50 000 m2. Les excavations de ce projet de 10 millions de dollars débuteront au milieu de l'année 2007, alors que le délai déxecution des travaux est de 30 mois. Les études et la surveillance des deux projets ont été confiées à la société Khatib & Alami."

would you be able to do a quick highlight of that artcle ?

^^ The Horizon Company belonging to Bahaeddine Hariri proposed two projects in Beirut in collaboration with the Kuwaiti United Real Estate. Its a hotel that is 25000 m2 with 220 rooms located in Rawche from Kempiski (I guess that proposed render). Its facing the pigeon rocks. Excavating was estimated to be 45 million dollars (I guess they're done that phase). Second project is a construction of a commercial shopping center and a 5star hotel that has 220 rooms and 50 appartments facing Dunes. It will be the first large commercial center in West Beirut being between 40 to 50 000 m2. The exacavation of this 10 million$ project will begin in mid 2007.

^^ These projects are Verdun 2 and Verdun 5 and of course the Kempinski Hotel in Rouche...nothing new.

is the kempinski hotel still under construction? or has it been canceled?

^^It's the same kempinski hotel U/C...Why would it be canceled anyway??

I don't think It's Canceled

Why this thread is not in the Projects Forum ???

^^ Because this Development sub-forum is for all general project news/updates.

The Project sub-forum is for all individual project threads.

From Le Commerce du Levant March 2008, Jamil Ibrahim Group bought the parking of Sofil in Achrafieh in summer 2007 (the new project is called Les Domes de Sursock), and a piece of land on the Jal el-Bahr waterfront next to the Riviera Hotel.

There are new u/c projects in Achrafieh (Toledo, Achrafié 392, Achrafié 1457, Allegra, Achrafié 1458).

There's also a new u/c residential project called Olive steps. It's low rise bldgs, in Mar Takla-Beirut.

^^ Thanks for the info, but it appears these projects have been approved and are no longer proposed. Therefore, we should try and collect more info and start up new threads for each one...

This is not really a Gossip (we should create a Project news thread,about news for upcoming definite projects)Anyway,

TOYOTA CITY , ZALQA , LEBANON

ستتبعه خطوة متقدمة العام المقبل هي مدينة LEXUS في الزلقا عام 2010. وهي كناية عن صالات عرض كبرى وبناية كبيرة ومركز تجمع رجال وسيدات الاعمال والثقافة والمجتمع ومركز تلاق ومحاضرات والترفيه، وهي مقتبسة من شركات "تويوتا" في العالم.

It will be announced next year.it will Contain,A tower ,Huge Toyota show rooms,Conference and entertainment centers.

The Article is from Almustaqbal newspaper.

^^ oh , and it was announced during an opening of a LEXUS Showroom in Downtown Beirut.

http://www.almustaqbal.com/issues/images/2938/C11N3.jpg

Iran launches projects in Beirut

Israel targeted civilian areas in Beirut during the 33-day war.
Iran has launched reconstruction projects in south Beirut, an area that was heavily damaged during the 33-day Israeli war against Lebanon.

The head of Tehran's Islamic City Council, Mehdi Chamran, inaugurated the projects in southern Beirut on Friday, IRNA reported.

A number of Lebanese officials including the mayors of different parts of Beirut attended a ceremony which was held to inaugurate the projects and hailed Iran's reconstruction efforts in Beirut.

"The participation of the Tehran Municipality in reconstruction of southern Beirut reflects the Iranian nation's support for the Lebanese nation and Hezbollah," Chamran noted.

"This (Iran's participation in reconstruction of Beirut) shows that the Lebanese nation is not alone and the freedom loving countries like Iran will support the Lebanese people and their resistance against the enemy," he added.

Building bridges, a football field and 38,000 square meters of green spaces are among the undertakings to be carried out by Iran in the area.

...fi shi 100 projects UC in beirut, damac is sleeping, we will talk about them when they wake up...

there is a mall UC in hamra, next to library antoine, when i was there, they were excavating the land...would someone like to open a thread and add some pics??

^^ If you know the name of the mall and some info on it feel free to open a thread.

I walk in Hamra frequently and I have seen only 2 plots being excavated but they dont seem large enough for a mall.

^^ Today I passed by one of the u/c plots that I mentioned and one actually seems large enough to be a "mall". It is a project by AFAK Contractors and it is directly across the street from the Oxygene store. Although nothing was posted at the construction site (only the AFAK logo), I found a rendering and will open a thread soon.

My friend went to Habtoorland today and was told that it has been shut down since September.

^^ doesn't it close usually during the winter?

^^ Yes it does

Doesn't look like it has been shut down for the winter only. I forgot to mention that the guard or whoever was there said something about it opening up in Dubai instead. Hope someone can confirm this.

^^ Well the park hasnt been doing well lately for reasons no one is really sure about. It is in a booming location and it is affordable by Lebanese standards and it is the safest park in the country.

I found these photos on www.worldarab.net . I think they're old, but it gives us an idea of what could rise on the reclaimed land.

http://www.worldarab.net/sites/default/files/images/Solidere%20Master%20Plan%20by%20TVS%203.jpg

http://www.worldarab.net/sites/default/files/images/Solidere%20Master%20Plan%20by%20TVS%201.jpg

http://www.worldarab.net/sites/default/files/images/Solidere%20Master%20Plan%20by%20TVS%202.jpg

^^ WWWWAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!:eek2::eek2::eek2::eek2:

I LIKE :p

Beirut really needs a huge city park like Boston has the Boston Commons and NYC has Central Park. I think they should take the Beirut golf course and make it into a park. I mean there's so much more to do in Beirut then go golfing!

^^No they shouldn't take it off!! It's the biggest green space in Beirut! But don't worry, two major parks will be built in Downtown Beirut.

^^ ha!...very funny

Here's another rendering

http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo305/Nadini23/21.png

^^No they shouldn't take it off!! It's the biggest green space in Beirut! But don't worry, two major parks will be built in Downtown Beirut.

I do not mean to take it off as in get rid of it, but make into a well kept public park that can bring people together and not have to pay a cent for it.

I Hope there ll be more Supertalls ..
And this rendering is from 2004 i dont think it's stands

http://www.worldarab.net/sites/default/files/images/Solidere%20Master%20Plan%20by%20TVS%201.jpg


So this is no longer the design for that area?

http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/1663/dvlpmt20plan20for20sectgj8.jpg

Shame.. I liked the "NARA Towers" there!
Besides the new design is too Dubai-esh and the highrises are deja vu...

the Emirates Towers:
http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/388/emiratestowersdubaime7.jpg

^^ I agree , the new design is like outta place :S

I found these photos on www.worldarab.net . I think they're old, but it gives us an idea of what could rise on the reclaimed land.


whatever they do, i REALLY hope, they create an urban district rather than a suburban one which is similar to what we have in those photos. i really wish they'd have european style urban planning, where the buildings are roughly the same height (say 5-6 floors) and all connected to each other forming one big block. think paris, madrid, vienna, etc...
i also really hope they dont have one company design all the buildings :( . that would be so lame aand artificial.

i hope your right about the photos being old. the buildings on the left side (the high-rise area) reminds me alot of car-dependent dubai. i identical buildings wrapping around a marina forming a circle..that so cheasy.

rabih alt..the pic you posted is WAY better!

There's a reason I posted those photos here, because it's nothing official. And they date from 2004 so they are just visions.

And I agree with you John, I hope to see french styled buildings there.

i thought that was emirates towers at first glance...LOL Funny you guys mentioned that....I LOVE the idea...it even looks like a canal is running thru it....

I disagree that 2004 designs are old...the final shape that we know was decided previous...this is brandnew..The design is not a major difference...thy just need to extend slightly out from the future marina(forgot if its called east or west)..I think the curved design is much more pleasant than the boxy one...also theres alot of greenspace.

One criticism...besides the"elipse" the towers are like 5 stories..ide like to see pockets oftaller buidings..like 30 and above...

Thos towers are huge in the front..wonder how tall they are!!!!!!!!!! Looks over 60

I think the curved design is much more pleasant than the boxy one...also theres alot of greenspace.

curvy urban planning is so 90's and so asian and so artificial (althout i admit this whole project IS artificial, but they could at least make it look and "feel" like a real practical lived-in city, such as the older polyester model). greenspace is not good for a city. not in the way depicted in the new plan. parks are great. but open spaces between buildings with a few trees planted and "gazon"(patches of grass) KILL urbanisation. and you end up with a "suburban" feel thats car dependant and un-dynamic / boring (think empty streets). also gaps between buildings are simply ugly.

back to the curved design. whats the point? although personally i find it tacky, to you it may seem nice, but thats only from an ariel view. imagine you're walking down a street in the new rendering. would it matter if the island was curvy or not? nothing ages better and is more "classic" than minimalistic/simple urban planning with straight interconnecting streets, buildings parallel to the road, connected buildings etc...

the white polyester model is a classic. its reminds me of manhatan somehow.

I can seem of your points..i dont liek the lowrise..but if highrises were built the green area would be pleasant wider avenues with central green medians etc..also this reminds me of an original design...they were first floating the idea of an island..the end of the island was a round design with roads going around with multi levels of buildings. there was water in the middle..this just moves it to the side and the mutilevels are gone..

does anyone know anything about the SAMA BEIRUT PROJECT, its a 50 story tower coming up in central Sodeco...i havent seen any project links to this project...
it is located in the big plot of land, besides bank audi in sodeco, a few steps from dakota bldg and sodeco square...

^^You must be talking about this one? http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=400018

Media city planned for Beirut
Keach Hagey
May 2. 2009

A digital-investment company is looking to add Beirut to the Middle East’s growing list of media cities.

Kuv Capital, a growth consultant and early-stage investment firm based in the Lebanese capital, has launched a website and begun holding meetings to gather support for the proposed Beirut Media City, where software developers and others in the creative sector may be based.

The company is prepared to invest US$1 million (Dh3.6m) with the hopes of attracting between $10m and $20m to launch the project.

“There are a lot of things happening in Lebanon’s media community, which is very important but not really organised,” said Herve Cuviliez, the managing director of Kuv Capital.

“So we just launched the idea and said we shall try to create a place where you can find facilities, services and a community organised around it.”

Kuv Capital has set a deadline of September to decide whether Beirut Media City is feasible. If it goes ahead, Beirut’s media city will join a rapidly expanding list including those in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras al Khaimah, Amman, Cairo and maybe Doha.

But Mr Cuviliez warned against expectations of another Dubai Media City on the Mediterranean.

“We don’t want to do the TECOM model,” he said, referring to the Technology and Media Free Zone, which gathers together large media companies in Dubai.

“It’s a good model in Dubai, but I don’t think it would happen in Beirut for various reasons, including money.” Instead, Mr Cuviliez envisioned a more communal entity, designed to take advantage of Beirut’s cheaper labour and property prices.

“The competitive advantage of Lebanon is that it’s very cheap to create a company,” he said. “You can incorporate with $3,000. You can rent an office for $4,000 a month.”

But Beirut also has downsides for entrepreneurs that stretch beyond the often tense political situation, including frequent power cuts and poor broadband service.

Mr Cuviliez said he saw the media city as a way of pooling resources to share generators and internet service more affordably, while also providing a pool of talent that start-ups could use to strengthen their businesses.

He said Beirut Media City would be unique in its ability to cater for small start-up ventures.

“When you come to Qatar or Abu Dhabi or Dubai, you need to have a certain size of business to operate from there, because the costs are higher,” Mr Cuviliez said.

“If you are two guys with two computers who want to make an application for the iPhone, or a website, to get it off the ground in places like Amman or Beirut tomorrow is better, because everything is cheaper.”

Kuv Capital has already begun scouting for old warehouses and factory buildings that could be renovated to provide the 5,000 square metres Mr Cuviliez said would be required.

He said the media city would start with between 30 and 50 companies, but hoped other companies would spread out into adjacent buildings in the future.

Several banks and wealthy individuals have expressed interest in funding the project, Mr Cuviliez said.

He has not yet discussed the matter with the Lebanese government but said the tax-free status that was normally part of other media cities could be achieved by companies in Lebanon that register as offshore entities.

Mr Cuviliez said the Gulf’s large market would always be an essential part of the media business in the Middle East, but Beirut and the UAE could gain from each other’s media cities.

“I had someone e-mail me and say, ‘if you do that, there will be no Lebanese left in Dubai’,” he said, laughing. “But that’s not true and I know it.”

http://beirutmediacity.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/savethedate.png
http://beirutmediacity.info/blog/

^^BALLS! I wish I could be there! pfft!

Le Mall is planning a mall in Dbayyeh to be done on the 1st quarter of 2011.will be the biggest Le Mall in Lebanon ( 20,000 ) Sq. meters.

20,000 sp is tiny. I think the ABC in Dbayyeh is bigger.

^^No they shouldn't take it off!! It's the biggest green space in Beirut! But don't worry, two major parks will be built in Downtown Beirut.

The new parks that will be built are not enough for the city of beirut to meet the minimum international standards for open space. to give you an idea for every Lebanese there is 0.1 square meters of green space ... while in other countries like England an individual has a right to 25 square meters. Beirut remains one of the brownest cities in the world.

http://www.albaladonline.com/viewer.php
Check out page 10, it's a full page ad saying solidere has started building in downtown because of the faith in lebanon and bla bla bla

I dont speak arabic i just see election pictures

^^ it said they started work on Plus towers in Downtown.

awesome!!!!!!!

Anyone heard about 'Mika Land' project on the reclaimed area? it will be right next to the park there.

http://1.1.1.1/bmi/img707.imageshack.us/img707/9288/mikaland.jpg

^^ cant see pic, is it a building? or a skyscraper?

^^ the pic doesn't show the building,it's just part of PDF file.
well,it's on Solidere website,there's a link about the new developments
http://www.solidere.com/devs/index.php

Mika Land

MIKA LAND SAL Paid up Capital: L.L.120 million
Fransabank sal Center,Hamra Str., Beirut

Solidere Q1 2007:

Mika Land s.a.l. has purchased lot 1493 Marfaa to
develop a mixed use property with 32,000 sq m BUA.

Architect of Beirut Gardens

Interesting when i got to the architects site it called a project in 2007 "Mikati mixed use complex"..no renders

I am so excited,this is the only project we hear about on the reclaimed land.

The plot of land across from Phoenicia next to PT; is being developed!!!!!!

The huge plot of land is being developed by Benchmark Development and Investors.

A few days ago they put up the posters on the borders that surround the huge plot of land; there are no renders on the posters, or online but the name of the project is "Beirut Terraces" I will continue to search online, but does anyone else have any info? :cheers:

^^ Not sure where exactly this plot is located. The only thing between the PT and Phoenicia is the Monroe and all other surrounding plots have been accounted for. Can you be more specific?

I think he means across the street from phonecia, behind platinum (in front of the ivana trump plot)

This plot of land. Not the correct render of course, this was a proposed project. I guess this, and the cube got declined. Or this is the "Beirut Terraces" Idk, but i will post pics as soon a the possible.

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/9706/snip4.jpg (http://img233.imageshack.us/i/snip4.jpg/)

^^ Thanks, I forgot that this plot only had proposed projects and nothing was confirmed. Hopefully this new project is better than the others...

Anyone know of projects going on in the mountains??
The only company I can seem to find is HEC which is the el hajjar company. This is a website of their completed/underconstruction projects going on mainly in Broumanna, Mansourieh, Ain Saade as well as Ashrafieh.

http://www.el-hajjar.com/current_projects.php

has any1 heard about the project of building a new mall called city center somewhere in Hazmiyeh i guess ???

dont u mean the Agora mall in Hazmeih ???

no no, this is something huge, it's like 125.000 meters and it's called city center

no no, this is something huge, it's like 125.000 meters and it's called city center

yes they just got bids for constructcion of the super structure

are there any renderings available yet ?

^^

Bass leish bil hazmimeyh???

They should make it in Downtown, especailly if it is called "City Center"

^^ i dont think that that is a good idea !!!!
i think we already had a discussion about a similar topic....the best thing is to have shopping strips inside the city and the malls in the suburbs !!! :)

has any1 heard about the project of building a new mall called city center somewhere in Hazmiyeh i guess ???

it s along damascus road from chevrolet all the way to hazmieh

Hi guys...according to some relatives who passed by the city of Tyr a week ago or so, a huge plot of land at the northern entrance of the city has been cleared with heavy machinery moving in and the ground being removed already. Apparently there is a big project going on to build an entire new neighbourhood and shopping district similar to Beirut's DT but a much smaller level. A number of existing abandonned structures and old buildings have been brought down already...i tried finding some info on the internet but it didn't work. it would be cool if anyone could find out.

^^ looks promising :) Tyre deserves a world class beach resort, hopefully this is the plan for that area.the other Le Gray maybe??

Does anyone remember the Apeiron Hotel... the 10 star one.... what happened to the project?

^^ like the title, its a gossip. No such thing was proposed for Lebanon. I believe it was aimed for Dubai.

Unfourtantely i dont think such a project would be given to Tyre, considering Israel would wipe it out in a future conflict.

Is this a legitimate building company? http://www.jmbonfils.com/projects.asp

I can't seem to find one of these projects "in progress" anywhere else on the web other than this site.

There lot 1030 project looks great!!

http://www.jmbonfils.com/ProjectPix/camera%2007small.jpg
http://www.jmbonfils.com/ProjectPix/camera%2007%20night%20view%20small.jpg


Crucial location facing corniche Beirut, creating a landmark.

High raised residential building covering 10000 sqm

on four basements including sport club and coffee shops facilities.

Upper floors generate duplex and Suspending garden concept.

Just looked at this company's portfolio........ They are genius.... if they and bernard khoury could design and plan the city .... Beirut would be Iconic!

Is this a legitimate building company? http://www.jmbonfils.com/projects.asp

I can't seem to find one of these projects "in progress" anywhere else on the web other than this site.


It's very odd that many of their projects are "discontinued" and projects that are listed as "in progress" back in 2008 dont seem to exist in real life...

Jal el Dib 158 Tower...

http://i49.tinypic.com/347el21.jpg

Mtaileb Residence...

http://i50.tinypic.com/bdvbiu.jpg

Kesrouan - Les Pics Blancs...

http://i45.tinypic.com/13zvq12.jpg

The Jal El-Dib Towers are very nice...:)

Anyone know what this project is?

http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/586/projects.jpg

It's shown in this article about Lebanese real estate, but I see no mention of it anywhere:
http://iktissadiat.com/sm2.html

maybe its a proposed project for the reclaimed land??

An amazing article for those who read arabic, from the link provided above.



ويوجد في لبنان العديد من الفرص العقارية المتعددة الاستخدامات من سياحيّة، تجاريّة وسكنيّة وصناعيّة.


من شرفة مبنى يطلّ على وسط بيروت التجاريّ، وتتمركز فيه FFA Real Estate، يقف عمر الشنتوف، المدير العام المساعد في الشركة، ليشير باتجاه الشارع قبالته، حيث يقوم مشروع Foch 94 الذي تديره الشركة، وهو كناية عن مبنى سكني فاخر في شارع فوش يطل على القلب المدينيّ القديم والواجهة البحريّة في آن. يقول: «شهدنا نشاطاً إيجابيًّا ملحوظاً منذ مطلع العام الجاري، بالرغم من الظروف الصعبة التي فرضتها الأزمة الماليّة والاقتصاديّة على مختلف بلدان المنطقة»، ويضيف: «تتوافر في لبنان العديد من الفرص العقاريّة، ولدينا في الشركة عدد كبير من المشاريع المتعدّدة الاستخدامات التي نعمل عليها في الوقت الحاليّ».

وليس Foch 94 الذي توضع اللمسات الأخيرة عليه راهناً، سوى مشروع واحد من بين مئات المشاريع المماثلة التي من المنتظر أن يجري تسليمها تباعاً في بيروت خلال العام الجاري. وفي ظلّ الطفرة الملحوظة التي يشهدها القطاع العقاري المحليّ، بات جليًّا أنّ البلاد نجحت في تفادي تداعيات الأزمة الاقتصاديّة والماليّة التي وجهت صفعة قاسية إلى الأسواق العقاريّة في العديد من البلدان المحيطة، خصوصاً في الخليج العربيّ. وإذا كانت التجاذبات السياسيّة قد مثّلت سبباً رئيسيًّا في عرقلة نموّ هذا القطاع، فإنّ الحركة الدؤوب التي ظلّت تطبع نشاط المطوّرين قدّمت أبلغ دليل على قوّة الطلب الداخليّ. وتشكّل التطورات الإيجابيّة التي تلت الإنتخابات النيابيّة محطّة انطلاق جديدة بالنسبة إلى هذا القطاع الحيويّ، حيث من الملاحظ تحريك المزيد من المشاريع العقاريّة التي جمّدت في السابق والشروع في التخطيط لأخرى. وفي هذا الإطار يقدّر رجا مكارم، المدير العالم في شركة RAMCO للإستشارات المتمركزة في بيروت، مساحات البناء قيد التطوير حاليًّا في العاصمة اللبنانيّة بحوالى «1.6 مليون متر مربّع»، ملاحظاً أنّ عدد المشاريع السكنيّة التي يجري بناؤها راهناً يزيد «عن ثلاثمئة مشروع، تضمّ أربعة آلاف شقّة على الأقل». ويشير مكارم إلى أنّ «عمليّات البيع عادت لتتمّ على الخريطة في نصف هذه المشاريع على الأقلّ، فيما يباع بعض المشاريع كاملاً قبيل إنهائه». وفي غمرة تفاؤله بإيجابيّة المناخ السياسيّ والاستثماري، لا يغفل مكارم إبداء تخوّفه من أن تدفع التوقّعات الإيجابيّة الأسعار إلى مستويات قياسيّة جديدة. يقول: «أتمنّى أن نحافظ على أسعار منطقيّة تنمو سنويًّا بما لا يزيد عن 25 إلى 30 بالمئة فقط ولا تتعدّاها».

ويبرهن الأداء الراهن للمطوّرين العقاريّين اللبنانيّين عن صمود هذا القطاع في وجه الأزمة. وبالرغم من أنّ بعض المشاريع قد جمّد العمل به أو ألغي تماماً، فإنّ السبب لا يعود إلى الأزمة الماليّة بحدّ ذاتها بقدر ما يرتبط بالأجواء السياسيّة المتشنّجة التي فرضت نفسها خلال الفترة الماضية. وتقدّم شركة سوليدير، جوهرة التاج العقاريّ اللبنانيّ، أفضل مثال على ذلك. فبالرغم من أنّ أسهم الشركة خسرت قرابة 40 بالمئة من قيمتها عن أعلى معدّل بلغته قبيل الأزمة الماليّة العالميّة، إلاّ أنّها نجحت في تحقيق قفزة استثنائيّة في الأسبوع الأوّل الذي أعقب الانتخابات، لترتفع أسهمها بنسبة ناهزت 20 بالمئة وكان صافي أرباح الشركة فاق 182 مليون دولار في 2008، وهو العام الذي شهد القطاع العقاريّ خلاله هبوطاً مدويًّا في شتّى أنحاء العالم، لم تسلم منه المنطقة العربيّة. وتُعزى مناعة الشركة في وجه الأزمة إلى «انعدام المديونيّة وسلامة الأصول والتوظيفات الماليّة» بحسب بيان صادر عنها. وبلغت السيولة النقديّة لدى سوليدير بنهاية العام الفائت نحو 292 مليون دولار. وهي وقّعت عقوداً لبيع أراض بقيمة 294 مليون دولار خلال الأشهر الستة الماضية، وتجري راهناً مفاوضات مع مستثمرين لبيع أراض أخرى، من المتوقّع أن يتمّ الاتفاق بشأنها في الأشهر القليلة المقبلة. يقول طارق فرح، الرئيس التنفيذيّ في FFA المتمركزة في دبي والتابعة لمجموعة FFA Private Bank : «أنا متفائل بالنسبة إلى حظوظ نمو شركة سوليدير». ويشرح فرح أنّ سعر سهم الشركة لا يزال متدنياً، ويضيف: «تساوي قيمة سوليدير ثمانية مليارات دولار، وبالنظر إلى أنّ عدد أسهمها يبلغ 165 مليوناً، يتعيّن أن يساوي سعر السهم الواحد 48 دولاراً على الأقل».

تصحيح غائب
ويلاحظ مكارم أنّ الأشهر الأربعة الأولى من السنة «اتسمت بالجمود النسبيّ على المستوى العقاريّ العام، لكنّ الطلب ظلَّ مستمرًّا وفاق المعروض». فبالنسبة إلى الوحدات السكنيّة مثلاً، نجم جزء من ركود الطلب عن «الارتفاع السريع في الأسعار الذي سبق الأزمة الماليّة العالميّة ولم يتمّ تصحيحه على نحو واقعيّ لاحقاً»، طبقاً لمكارم، الذي يشرح أنّ «الارتفاعات في الأسعار تراوحت بما بين 50 إلى 60 بالمئة في العام 2008، فيما لم تتراجع سوى بشكل طفيف لاحقاً، ليجري تصحيحها بنسبة تأرجحت بين عشرة و15 بالمئة فقط». وشهد الطلب على الأراضي القابلة للتطوير العقاريّ نموًّا لافتاً، في حين قلَّ المعروض


حيويّة مستعادة ويبدي القطاع العقاري زخماً ملحوظاً في الآونة الأخيرة، وفي أكثر من منطقة، من دون أن يقتصر هذا النشاط على بيروت وحدها. فمع بيع FFA Real Estate كامل وحدات مشروعها في الوسط التجاريّ، أطلقت أخيراً مشروع حدائق بدارو الذي يتميّز بمراعاته الشروط البيئيّة المستدامة. وبيعت 90 بالمئة من الوحدات التي يتألّف منها حتى الآن.

وتستعدّ الشركة لإطلاق مشروع أحلام لاندز في كفرذبيان، الذي من المنتظر أن يتحوّل بدوره إلى مقصد سياحيّ بيئيّ في المنطقة. يقول الشنتوف: «نبحث عن مشاريع ذات نوعيّة جيّدة، ويتمثّل هدفنا في تطوير مجمّعات سكنية تؤمّن توازناً بيئيًّا واقتصاديًّا، وتوفّر الربح للمستثمرين في الوقت ذاته». ويلاحظ الشنتوف أنّ لكل منطقة متطلّبات خاصّة، ففي حين أنّ الطلب في وسط بيروت «يتركّز على الشقق السكنيّة المؤلّفة من غرفتي نوم، يتجه الطلب في الضواحي إلى الشقق ذات الثلاث والأربع غرف نوم».



ولا يزال الجزء الأكبر من الطلب يتركّز في القطاع السكنيّ. وفي ظلّ النمو السكانيّ المطّرد وحرص نسبة كبيرة من المغتربين على شراء مساكن في الوطن الأمّ، يرى مهنا أنّ «السوق لا تزال عطشى إلى الوحدات السكنيّة بكلّ فئاتها، من دون أن يقتصر ذلك على فئة دخل دون أخرى»، ملاحظاً أنّ هذا الواقع يولّد فرصة استثماريّة في ظلّ «توافر التسهيلات الائتمانيّة سواء من قبل المصارف التجاريّة أو جهات متخصّصة على غرار المؤسّسة العامّة للإسكان». وفي حين ما زال اللبنانيّون يشكّلون السواد الأعظم من المشترين، إلاّ أنّ هذه المعادلة قد تتغيّر بفعل المؤشرات الإيجابيّة الأخيرة. فقد شهد لبنان طوال السنوات الثلاث الماضية تبدّلاً جذريًّا في نوعيّة المشترين، تمثّلت في «انحسار الطلب الخليجيّ على العقارات واستحواذ اللبنانيّين على نحو 90 بالمئة من حجم الطلب في السوق»، طبقاً لمكارم. وقد تحوّل الخليجيّون حينها عن السوق العقاريّة اللبنانيّة بفعل الاضطرابات السياسيّة التي كانت تعيش البلاد في ظلّها. لكنّ مكارم يتوقّع أن تتعدّل النسبة خلال الفترة القادمة، خصوصاً «أنّ لبنان استطاع الخروج من الأزمة الماليّة بدون خسائر، ونجح في تعزيز سمعته كسوق لا تتأثر بحدّة بالخضّات العقاريّة، خلافاً للأسواق المجاورة». وثمّة أسباب أخرى يذكر منها مكارم «غياب المضاربة عن السوق، باعتبار أنّ غالبيّة المشترين تبتاع العقارات لغرض استخدامها، وامتلاك المطوّرين سيولة مرتفعة لاعتمادهم على اموالهم الخاصّة وتلك التي يمكن جنيها من خلال البيع المسبق على الخريطة، الأمر الذي خفّض نسبة مديونيّتهم تجاه المصارف».

في المقابل، ما زال الطلب على العقار المكتبيّ يعدّ خجولاً قياساً بالسكنيّ. ويرتبط هذا الواقع بعاملين رئيسيّين هما بحسب مهنا «تراجع دور لبنان كنقطة انطلاق مركزيّة للشركات الكبرى في الشرق الأوسط، وانتفاء حاجة الشركات إلى مساحات مكتبيّة واسعة نظراً إلى تقلّص عدد موظفيها قياساً بالسابق». في موازاة ذلك، ينشط الطلب على العقارات المتصلة بالتجزئة. يضيف مهنا: «يرتفع الطلب على المساحات المخصّصة لتجارة التجزئة والتي لا يزال انتشارها نادراً في معظم المناطق». وفي الوقت الذي تحافظ فيه بيروت على جاذبيّتها العقاريّة، تتفاوت الأسعار باختلاف مناطقها. ويلاحظ مكارم أنّ العاصمة بدأت تستعيد جانباً مهمًّا من حيويّتها العقاريّة بعد سلسلة التجاذبات السياسيّة والاعتصامات التي عطّلت جزءاً من المشاريع الرئيسيّة، المحليّة منها والخليجيّة. وهو يضيف: «الطلب شامل في شتّى أنحاء بيروت، ومن المناطق الأكثر إقبالاً رأس بيروت وساحلها الجنوبيّ والأشرفيّة امتداداً إلى الضواحي، على غرار الشيّاح والحازمية ومار تقلا والرابية». أمّا الأسعار فتتراوح بالنسبة إلى سعر المتر المربّع القابل للبناء ما بين 300 دولار وخمسة آلاف، وهو بحسب مكارم «سعر عادل» قياساً بمثيله في المنطقة. وتبرز طفرة البناء ملحوظة في المنطقة التي يطلق عليها الخبراء مثلّث الأشرفية الذهبي، والذي يمتدّ من سنتر صوفيل إلى الغرب نحو التباريس، ويتجه صعوداً إلى ساحة ساسين، جامعاً بين أطرافه الثلاثة أحياء يطغى عليها الطابع القديم. وفي هذا الإطار يقوم كريم ابراهيم، المدير العام في مؤسسة جميل ابراهيم العقاريّة، والتي تشيّد مشاريع رئيسيّة في هذا المثلّث: «تشهد منطقة الأشرفيّة حركة بناء كثيفة للغاية وغير مسبوقة». وتبرّر الأسعار المرتفعة كثافة الإقبال على البناء في هذه المنطقة، والتي يقابلها طلب متعاظم. فعلى سبيل المثال، يتراوح سعر المتر المربّع المبنيّ في مشروع Les Dômes de Sursock الذي لا يزال قيد التطوير بين خمسة وثماية آلاف دولار، وتضاهي ذلك الأسعار في مشاريع Atomium Tower وتلال بيروت وبناية أبو حمد. ويبدو الوضع مماثلاً في منطقة الصيفي، حيث تتراوح الأسعار بين أربعة آلاف و 4800 دولار، ويعزو باتريك جمّال، الرئيس والمدير العام في الشركة العقاريّة Ascot ، ارتفاع الأسعار في هذه المناطق عن المتوسّط العام بقربها من «المقاصد الجاذبة» على غرار المجمّعات التجاريّة والمدارس وغيرها من مناطق الجذب المدينيّ الأخرى.

وتضمّ هذه المنطقة مجمّع ABC التجاريّ، الذي تتراوح أسعار المتر المربّع في محيطه الأقرب بين 3500 وستة آلاف دولار. يقول جمّال: «لم يعد الأمر يتعلّق بالإقامة في مناطق مشرفة على البحر أو الجبل فحسب، بل يلعب القرب من مقاصد على غرار المجمّعات التجاريّة دوراً أساسيًّا». وبما أنّ المعروض من الأراضي القابلة للتطوير العقاريّ بات ضئيلاً، تواصل الأسعار منحاها التصاعدي. وفي هذا الإطار يشير ابراهيم إلى أنّ «عدداً كبيراً من ملاك الأراضي في الأشرفيّة مثلاً يتمنّعون عن بيعها لمعرفتهم أنّ أسعارها ستمضي في الارتفاع». وتتراوح أسعار المتر المربّع من الأرض في مناطق على غرار مثلث الأشرفيّة المذكور ما بين ثلاثة وخمسة آلاف دولار، فيما تصل في مناطق على غرار شارع سرسق إلى عشرة آلاف دولار. وبالرغم من ذلك، من المنتظر أن تبقى بيروت بمناطقها المختلفة وجهة مثيرة للمطوّرين في المدى المنظور. يقول إبراهيم: «في بيروت الحال كالآتي: يشهد القطاع العقاريّ عامين ناشطين، تليهما ثلاثة أعوام مقبولة». ويضيف: «لكن في كلا الحالتين، لا يتوقّف السوق عن النمو. وإذا كان من عبرة وحيدة للمستقبل فهي عدم الانكفاء، بل الاستمرار في البناء، كون وجهة السوق تواصل شقّ طريقها صعوداً».



إنماء عقاري
ّ متوازن في موازاة ذلك، يسهم ارتفاع الأسعار في بيروت وضواحيها في ازدياد عدد الباحثين عن مساكن وأراض أرخص أسعاراً بعيداً عن العاصمة. ويلاحظ محمّد يونس، المدير العام في المؤسّسة العامة للإسكان، أنّ «تركز سكن معظم اللبنانيّين في بيروت الكبرى سبب رئيسي لارتفاع الأسعار فيها»، شارحاً أنّ «المناطق المحاذية لبيروت الكبرى تشهد تقاطراً سكانيًّا كبيراً إليها، مما رفع فيها الأسعار جاعلاً إيّاها خارج متناول ذوي المداخيل المنخفضة». وتؤدّي المؤسّسة العامة للإسكان دوراً رئيسيًّا في تغذية الطلب على المساكن بالنظر إلى التسهيلات الائتمانيّة التي توفّرها لذوي الدخل المحدود والمتوسط. وخلال العامين 2006 و2007 تمّ شراء خمسة آلاف منزل بمساعدة المؤسّسة، في حين فاق عدد الطلبات ستّة آلاف في العام 2008 طبقاً ليونس، الذي يتوقّع «تجاوز هذا الرقم حكماً خلال العام الجاري».






ورفعت المؤسّسة أخيراً سقف القروض التي تمنحها لتتلاءم مع الارتفاع المطرد في الأسعار، فزادتها من 80 إلى 120 ألف دولار، أي نسبة تناهز 50 بالمئة، كما رفعت الحدّ الأقصى لمداخيل المتقدّمين من ثلاثة إلى خمسة ملايين ليرة، مما وسّع دائرة المستفيدين ويُنتظر أن ينعكس إيجابيًّا على الطلب العقاريّ الداخليّ. يقول يونس: «كان من البديهيّ أن نواكب التغيّرات التي شهدتها السوق في الآونة الأخيرة، خصوصاً أنّ سقف القروض السابق لم يعد فاعلاً في خدمة أهداف المؤسّسة، والتي تتمثّل في توفير المسكن الشخصيّ المناسب لذوي الدخل المحدود». وتدفع المؤسّسة في الوقت الراهن باتجاه إقرار القانون الخاصّ بالإيجار التملكي المخصص حصراً للفئات ذات الدخل المحدود. يقول يونس: «نأمل أن تصادق الحكومة الجديدة على المراسيم التطبيقيّة الخاصّة بهذا القانون». ويضيف: «من شأن المضيّ قدماً بهذا القانون أن يحقّق الإنماء المتوازن وينعكس إيجابيًّا على جميع المناطق اللبنانيّة، وخصوصاً على الأرياف، ما يخلق سوقاً عقاريّة صحيّة وأكثر فاعليّة». إنّ كلّ المعطيات تؤشّر إلى أنّ القطاع العقاري في لبنان سوف يشهد طفرة أكثر قوّة خلال الفترة القادمة. ويلفت مكارم إلى أنّ ميزة هذه الطفرة تكمن في أنّها «لن تكون مصطنعة، على غرار ما شهدته بعض الأسواق القريبة وتسبّبت بخسائر كبيرة لاحقاً»، مشدّداً على «أنّ لبنان يحظى بميزات تختلف عن باقي أسواق المنطقة، حيث ينبع الطلب على العقار من أبنائه لا من الأجانب». في المقابل، من المنتظر أن يسهم الاستقرار السياسي الداخلي وعودة الحيويّة إلى أسواق الخليج في عودة المستثمرين العرب إلى الساحة العقاريّة اللبنانيّة مجدداً، بعدما كانوا هجروها في السنوات السابقة. وفي ظل تعطّش السوق إلى الاستثمارات العقاريّة، سيصبّ توافد لاعبين جدد في الاتجاه الصحيح. يقول مكارم: «ميزة الاستثمارات العربيّة أنّها تتوجّه إلى مشاريع عقاريّة تحتاج إلى رؤوس أموال ضخمة، مثل المشاريع ذات الطابع السياحيّ أو المشاريع التجاريّة، وهي لا تنافس بهذا المعنى.

-February 10 2010

Summary: For a country known for its love of conspicuous consumption conspicuous consumption

F or a small country with a limited retail market and an uncertain political climate, Lebanon knows how to attract investors. In the coming years seven new malls are scheduled to open, all vying for a share of the market against many established competitors.

So will this influx of new retail space fill a gap in the market or will it eat into what is already a competitive sector?

The biggest project planned is Agora mall, which will be located in Hazmieh, in eastern Beirut along the Damascus highway. The UAE-based Majid Al Futtaim Group is building the project around a Carrefour hypermarket, the first to be opened in the country. Al Futtaim has also acquired land on the Dbayyeh coast, where it plans to construct another mall in the next few years.

In 2011, the Acres, the development subsidiary of retail giant Azadea, is expected to open Le Mall in Dbayyeh, located on the international highway next to the existing ABC department store, which also has expansion plans. The expanded ABC will also include a cinema complex, scheduled to open later this year. Acres is also opening Le Mall in Saida this year, where it will soon be joined by a second mall to be developed by Retail Group.

Various companies, including Acres, are studying the possibility of opening a mall in the northern city of Tripoli. And then there is the Verdun 5 project, which has been delayed, but will apparently still be built. With all these projects coming up, some observers might expect a certain saturation of the Lebanese retail environment to take place, but those in the sector, not surprisingly, are very optimistic about the new openings.

Guillaume Boudisseau, a real estate advisor at Ramco Beirut, says that malls are a relatively recent phenomenon in Lebanon and developers are careful to spread their projects out geographically. "The first mall to open in Lebanon, ABC, is only four years old, and the others are even more recent. If you compare the situation with Dubai, for example, where there are malls every few miles, you can see that there is a lot of space left."

Charles Arbid, president of the Lebanese Franchise Association and CEO of retail chain Rectangle Jaune, says that Lebanon's small domestic market, which he estimates at some two million potential customers with sufficient buying power should be added to the large number of tourists visiting every year.

"Don't forget that in 2009 we had two million people coming in, a marked increase compared to last year. If the situation keeps developing positively, that figure might double in the next few years. I believe we have the capacity to attract up to four million tourists annually, which would double the existing market and consequently make it possible to double the mall area."

He says that although tourism is currently a seasonal phenomenon, the franchise association and its partners are working on developing a year-round tourist market, organizing events such as fairs and exhibitions outside the summer season to attract visitors throughout the year.

Naji Mouzannar, a member of the board of directors on the Beirut Chamber of Commerce, sees the malls as an integral part of former prime minister Rafiq Hariri's plan to reconstitute Lebanon as the hub of the Middle East, with free market policies to further develop the country's retail market and its potential as a tourist destination.

"The Beirut Souks, for example, were an integral part of the reconstruction plan for downtown," he says, referring to the city-centre mall recently opened by Solidere's, which is owned by the family of Saad Hariri, the current Lebanese Prime Minister.

"As Hariri's project continues to be implemented, I think we don't have anywhere near enough malls and retail outlets yet. The Lebanese are consumersAa- we shop much more than most of our neighbors - and combined with regularly returning expats and increasing numbers of Arab and other tourists, the retail market is much bigger than could be assumed from the population figures."

Mouzannar also says that the region tends to view Lebanon as a trendsetter. "Trends in fashion, consumption, or lifestyle adopted first by the Lebanese are then copied in other Arab countries, making Lebanon a test market for the region."

This may be true, but is there not a danger of overkill? Can the local economy sustain the thousands of square meters of retail space that is set to come online in the next few years?

Tania Ezzedine, ABC's Marketing Manager, sees no major issues with the opening of Le Mall next to the ABC department store in Dbayyeh. "Le Mall and ABC target different audiences. Le Mall attracts a younger public, with trendy brands and high street fashion, while our outlet in Dbayyeh is more of a department store than the mall in Ashrafiyyeh."

As long as every mall positions itself differently, offering a mix of brands, hospitality outlets, and entertainment that is different she claims to see no problem.

"In Dbayyeh, the catchment area catchment area is quite large, as you have both the traffic from the north and from the Metn coming in. Due to the traffic congestion, these people prefer to stop at Dbayyeh rather than drive on into the center of Beirut."

Arbid believes that the more distant prospect of the huge mall planned by Al Futtaim on the coast nearby should not create competition, as the combination of Le Mall and ABC "will form an attractive specialty mall."

Boudisseau agrees that up to now the various malls have been positioning themselves carefully both geographically and commercially, but fears that with new projects closing in on the existing ones - he mentions Agora moving in very close to Le Mall in Sin el Fil , "the big ones could start eating the smaller ones."

He says as does Arbid, that Khalde or Jnah would provide more desirable locations, as there are virtually no malls serving southern Beirut yet - Beirut Mall being a relatively small affair, with a Farma hypermarket and a few retail outlets.

"This was the idea behind the Verdun 5 project," Arbid says, "but it is currently not clear whether and or when it will go ahead."

The malls opening in Saida will relieve some of that pressure, but as for other areas of the country such as Zahle in the Bekaa valley or Tyre in the south, "they are not ready yet," says Arbid.

Roger Kamal, CEO of Acres agrees with this assessment. "There is not enough buying power in these places, and the people with money are not necessarily interested in the same fashions as people in Beirut."

And those who do follow the Beirut consumption pattern are in the habit of driving to the capital for shopping, and it remains to be seen whether this will change, despite new mall openings.

"That," says Arbid, "is what we will be testing with the new mall openings in Saida and Tripoli over the coming months and years."

- Trends magazine

Mika Land

MIKA LAND SAL Paid up Capital: L.L.120 million
Fransabank sal Center,Hamra Str., Beirut

Solidere Q1 2007:

Mika Land s.a.l. has purchased lot 1493 Marfaa to
develop a mixed use property with 32,000 sq m BUA.

Architect of Beirut Gardens

Interesting when i got to the architects site it called a project in 2007 "Mikati mixed use complex"..no renders

According to the Solidere site the project is a Residential Project
Architect: Norman Foster and R&K Consultants
Developer: Mika Land Real Estate s.a.l

After passing the sama beirut plot in achrafieh; i saw a plot of land encircled with billboards describing some sort of 100m+ complex of 3 skyscrapers; owned by the audi sarader group. Unfortunately I could not take pictures, but the renders looked great.

^^ How tall did they look?

hey guys this is my first post to skyscrapercity. I just wanted to say those towers looked like they were around 28 to 32 floors each tower had a differ height the shortest being around 12 to 15 !!!

A new real estate website opened (this thursday) and it has a bunch of new projects listed... I am busy studying this week, so I'll leave the website here and feel free for anyone who has time to start up project threads from it

http://www.realestate.com.lb/

It is already U/C so not necessarily gossip.. but I have no further information on it so I don't think its useful to start a thread about it now.

http://i41.tinypic.com/jl74lv.jpg

Khalil al-Abdullah, owner of "Hosn Al-Wazzani" resort overlooks his project in the southern area of Wazzani river on the Lebanese-Israeli borde

It is apparently some sort of resort with a supermarket, pools, spa, gym, villas etc..
Crazy that its that close to the border haha

^^ I remember reading about this guy somewhere, the project costs something from $1-4 million, but I think this guy is crazy or something building it so close to the border

He is not crazy at all. Lebanese own this land and are free to do whatever they want until the very last centimeter of the 10 452 KM2

^^ Im not saying we dont have rights over this land, im just saying the he is crazy because any security escalation along the border can ruin buisness to the resort, and incase of war the resort might be destroyed

It is a form of defiance and resistance which I respect, still crazy though (in the sense of being unfeasible)

i just saw on MTV
Zaha Hadid is designing a museum for Baalbeck international festivals. the design is Typically zaha's.

Is it a proposed building or is it actually going to be constructed? Also, she keep her roundish elongated , watery style?

yes she kept her roundish elongated , watery style.
and i don't think it's proposed,because they were kinda launching it in a ceremony where they also showed some of the items will be displayed in the museum.

I wish her site was updated. It doesnt have the North Souks either..

It is already U/C so not necessarily gossip.. but I have no further information on it so I don't think its useful to start a thread about it now.

http://i41.tinypic.com/jl74lv.jpg

Khalil al-Abdullah, owner of "Hosn Al-Wazzani" resort overlooks his project in the southern area of Wazzani river on the Lebanese-Israeli borde

It is apparently some sort of resort with a supermarket, pools, spa, gym, villas etc..
Crazy that its that close to the border haha

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/the-luxury-resort-in-the-middle-of-a-war-zone-1955156.html

!

^^ Courtesy of AFP

http://i42.tinypic.com/wvaa7k.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/ja8f3s.jpg

http://i42.tinypic.com/eb52sm.jpg

LOOKING GORGEOUS!!!!!
Gr8 Job :)

it looks like a castle/fort.. i like it! haha

No idea if this was posted in this thread...
But Fanar is getting its first green building, built by Hayek group. It is U/C and will be completed late 2011

http://i42.tinypic.com/wt8461.jpg

do we have a thread for this?

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/5537/beir.jpg (http://img20.imageshack.us/i/beir.jpg/)

do we have more details about this museum ? seems very interesting

I read that Koweit signed three agreements with Lebanon today during the Emir's visit. One of those agreements is about the construction of a museum. Might it be related??

I read about it in one of the solidere quarterly's or annuals I can't remember. All I remember is that it was a small paragraph where it mentioned that there will be a museum near the archeological tel. And it is a museum dedicated specifically to the history of Beirut. It was a very brief yet complicated description that Martyr and I tried to decipher one time :P. I think there is a underground and above ground section to the museum where you go underground and view ruins... something like that. I don't quite know.

Err I found the article you posted:
http://www.albaladonline.com/html/story.php?sid=105418

The article mentions that they have begun researching and will take 2 years to develop the architecture as well as research what artifacts to be displayed and how. This project is funded by Kuwait.

- Kuwait has also funded the revitalization of the Baalbeck traditional souks.
- Kuwait will also seek to restore the Beaufort castle in south lebanon, as well as build a museum in Saida.

I read about it in one of the solidere quarterly's or annuals I can't remember. All I remember is that it was a small paragraph where it mentioned that there will be a museum near the archeological tel. And it is a museum dedicated specifically to the history of Beirut. It was a very brief yet complicated description that Martyr and I tried to decipher one time :P. I think there is a underground and above ground section to the museum where you go underground and view ruins... something like that. I don't quite know.

I remember seeing renders on that concept.. looked incredible. basically they gut the excavation site, build a museum above it with entrance ways to underground open air concept with the ruins all placed where they were found. I love the idea.. gives it a very modern but extremely historic feel being underground.

I remember seeing renders on that concept.. looked incredible. basically they gut the excavation site, build a museum above it with entrance ways to underground open air concept with the ruins all placed where they were found. I love the idea.. gives it a very modern but extremely historic feel being underground.

I love it too. I just hope the above ground section is substantial. I don't want Martyr's square to extend all the way to the marfa2. I want it closed like it was when the Rivoli was still standing. Much more historically accurate, as city centers of arab cities were always enclosed.

ramy can you find some of those renders am so anxious to see them ...

I am looking for you! I saw them a while back, and I didnt favorite the site.. so im just googling again too see if anything comes up. Hopefully!!!

anyone heard about a project being developed in Hazmieh by solidere international called uptown?
i was reading in the newspaper today and apparently it s a $200M project

^^I actually heard some lebs in a cafe talking about it only briefly.. I heard them say uptown (thought they confused it with downtown lol) and that its a huge complex of retail stores that will create a square in Hazmieh.

I was only walking by so I basically caught them saying how they wish they had bought land in Hazmieh when it was a bunch of forest and dirt because its been in urbanizing booms as of late.

But thats all... I tried to go searching for it on google.. came up with nothing.

^^ if that's true,along with City Center, Hazmieh is going to get so crowded then.

About City Center.. is that a for sure project now?

But yes, if both happen then hazmieh is screwed haha. But, I do not know how valid these two guys conversation was, I was just overhearing it. So who knows! I am assuming though that its been said in a newspaper according to lebneni than there should be some information/website surfacing soon.

^^ City Center is for sure,construction started already.

About City Center.. is that a for sure project now?

But yes, if both happen then hazmieh is screwed haha. But, I do not know how valid these two guys conversation was, I was just overhearing it. So who knows! I am assuming though that its been said in a newspaper according to lebneni than there should be some information/website surfacing soon.

there was an article about it in al akhbar, apparently solidere bought the land and are getting the permits or something like that


قال عاملون في القطاع العقاري إن شركة «سوليدير إنترناشيونال» ستطوّر 95 ألف متر مربع في منطقة الحازمية ضمن مشروع لقاء حصّة من المشروع توازي كلفة التطوير والإدارة زائد الأرباح. وقطعة الأرض هذه، كانت تُعرف بـ«العصفورية» حيث كان هناك مبانٍ خاصة بمصحّ عقلي اشتراها خالد العصيمي، (مالك الجيفينور)، وتملّك الحصّة الأكبر من الأسهم مع شركاء آخرون مثل «بنك عودة» وأفراد من آل العسيلي... وقد جرت مفاوضات لتشتري مجموعة كويتية هذا العقار في مطلع عام 2005، إلا أن الصفقة لم تتم على أثر اغتيال الرئيس رفيق الحريري، إلى أن تمّت صفقة بيع الأرض في أواخر عام 2008 لمجموعة أفراد حصل بموجبها المصرفي، عبد الله تماري (معروف بأنه الواجهة الرئيسية لأعمال رئيس مجلس إدارة سوليدير ناصر الشمّاع)، على الحصّة الأكبر من الأسهم، فضلاً عن شركاء آخرون مثل مصطفى البساط.
وقد بلغت قيمة الصفقة 100 مليون دولار، أي بسعر يوازي 1052 دولاراً للمتر المربع الواحد، أو ما يعادل 500 دولار لمتر الهواء (متر البناء) على أساس أن الحدّ الأقصى لعامل الاستثمار في هذه الأرض يسمح بتشييد 200 ألف متر مربع. وبحسب مصادر في السوق العقارية، فقد جرى الاتفاق مع شركة «سوليدير إنترناشيونال» للقيام بأعمال تطوير وإدارة المشروع لقاء حصّة منه، وقد وُضع المخطط المبدئي للمشروع وعُرض على بلدية الحازمية على أن تُنجَز التراخيص اللازمة لبدء العمل خلال فترة قريبة.

Mind freeze what is city center?

^^ http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1048771

^^ http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1048771

thanks ...DUH lol

guys i received this email check these new projects that will take place in Beirut i don't know how credible the source is but though
i thought it was interesting and worth sharing it with you guys in this thread



MIKATI TOWER
http://sn113w.snt113.mail.live.com/att/GetAttachment.aspx?tnail=0&messageId=aa35c735-9289-11df-a14e-002264c20336&Aux=4|0|8CCF4AD900280C0||

PROPOSED HARIRI TOWER
http://sn113w.snt113.mail.live.com/att/GetAttachment.aspx?tnail=1&messageId=aa35c735-9289-11df-a14e-002264c20336&Aux=4|0|8CCF4AD900280C0||

GRAND HAYAT BEIRUT (we already know this project)
http://sn113w.snt113.mail.live.com/att/GetAttachment.aspx?tnail=2&messageId=aa35c735-9289-11df-a14e-002264c20336&Aux=4|0|8CCF4AD900280C0||

SOLIDERE COMMERCIAL TRADE CENTER
http://sn113w.snt113.mail.live.com/att/GetAttachment.aspx?tnail=3&messageId=aa35c735-9289-11df-a14e-002264c20336&Aux=4|0|8CCF4AD900280C0||

SOLIDERE NORMANDIE BEIRUT 2020
http://sn113w.snt113.mail.live.com/att/GetAttachment.aspx?tnail=4&messageId=aa35c735-9289-11df-a14e-002264c20336&Aux=4|0|8CCF4AD900280C0||

RAFIC 1 HOTEL
http://sn113w.snt113.mail.live.com/att/GetAttachment.aspx?tnail=5&messageId=aa35c735-9289-11df-a14e-002264c20336&Aux=4|0|8CCF4AD900280C0||

ST CHARLES HOTEL
http://sn113w.snt113.mail.live.com/att/GetAttachment.aspx?tnail=6&messageId=aa35c735-9289-11df-a14e-002264c20336&Aux=4|0|8CCF4AD900280C0||

RAFFLES HOTEL
http://sn113w.snt113.mail.live.com/att/GetAttachment.aspx?tnail=7&messageId=aa35c735-9289-11df-a14e-002264c20336&Aux=4|0|8CCF4AD900280C0||

INTERCONTINENTAL RADISSON PLAZA HOTELS
http://sn113w.snt113.mail.live.com/att/GetAttachment.aspx?tnail=8&messageId=aa35c735-9289-11df-a14e-002264c20336&Aux=4|0|8CCF4AD900280C0||

ST GEORGES HOTELS
http://sn113w.snt113.mail.live.com/att/GetAttachment.aspx?tnail=9&messageId=aa35c735-9289-11df-a14e-002264c20336&Aux=4|0|8CCF4AD900280C0||

RITZCARLTON SUBURBS
http://sn113w.snt113.mail.live.com/att/GetAttachment.aspx?tnail=10&messageId=aa35c735-9289-11df-a14e-002264c20336&Aux=4|0|8CCF4AD900280C0||

BEIRUT RITZCARLTON
http://sn113w.snt113.mail.live.com/att/GetAttachment.aspx?tnail=11&messageId=aa35c735-9289-11df-a14e-002264c20336&Aux=4|0|8CCF4AD900280C0||

Yalla,Abdallah, we wanna see the pics :D

anyhow,hope Ritz Carlton is still going with this design,and move it to DT,i don't mind it at all.

http://skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/1329PerkinsandWillDoBeirutRitzCarlton_pic1.jpg

Yalla,Abdallah, we wanna see the pics :D

anyhow,hope Ritz Carlton is still going with this design,and move it to DT,i don't mind it at all.

http://skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/1329PerkinsandWillDoBeirutRitzCarlton_pic1.jpg


Yeah that's the one! That was on of the pictures i posted!

Sorry guys for the delay

Mikati Tower (244 m)

http://i30.tinypic.com/2cclzjo.jpg

Proposed Hariri Towers

http://i28.tinypic.com/t8td84.jpg

Grand Hayat Beirut

http://i25.tinypic.com/2m6lg12.jpg

Solidaire Commercial Trade Center

http://i31.tinypic.com/2i1ihyx.jpg

Solidaire Normandie Beirut (completion date 2020??)

http://i26.tinypic.com/29o4fht.jpg

Rafic 1 Hotel

http://i28.tinypic.com/2vlk47c.jpg

St.Charles Hotel

http://i25.tinypic.com/10xu4g9.jpg

Raffles Hotel

http://i30.tinypic.com/20a9gtt.jpg

Intercontinental Radisson Plazza Hotels

http://i30.tinypic.com/11rwxdw.jpg

St Georges Hotels

http://i32.tinypic.com/2h4i83m.jpg

Ritzcarlton Suburbs

http://i29.tinypic.com/b63ok1.jpg

BeirutRitzCarlton

http://i27.tinypic.com/9qd4pd.jpg

*Note
I have no way of confirming that these are actual renders for actual planed projects

^^ i'm not buying this...

mmmmmmmmmm

I believe most of them are fake projects.

^^ I was thinking the same thing while uploading (thats why I put a note at the end)

yea i dont know some of the names are weird like "St george hotel" coppying areas or exsisting...designs are ok i love Mikati tower if real i can see it housing M1 group..

guys what's your source? this is interesting, i hope that at least the mikati tower is not a scam

haha you guys you got really excited. I already told you i am not sure if these were approved or projects to be constructed in beirut. But still it was interesting talking about them. After all they might have been proposed but not yet accepted or wasn't accepted or simply stealing ideas and projects that are supposed to be build in other countries and simply change there names ....

Wow amazing projects, this is what beirut needs, glass towers. Especially the Mikati tower. Looks amazing.

** Above posts moved to this thread.

Guys, if you are not sure if a project is real, please only discuss it here.

thats the ritz carlton in toronto and the mikati tower I saw it being proposed in China, so definitely these projects are fake....

i know these projects are fake just for the fact that the renderings don't even have surroundings of beirut... but just throwing it out there, the Solidaire Commercial Trade Center & BeirutRitzCarlton are probably the only 2 that could foul me with the renderings the others are way too big and would not fit.. and i have to say... the Raffles Hotel looks like a jaw dropping design.. i'd wish that would've been real.. :P

Why can't we get projects like this in BCD? Everything is concrete. It is really terrible.

I passed by the Achrafieh the other day, there is this new project of what looks like 3 towers, i posted something earlier about it, but i have more info now :)

Name: Abdel Wahab 618
Devolper: Audi Saradar Group

The tallest building looks ~ 160 m considering that the entrances are 13 meters and the building is above 30 floors. Other two look around 70- 90 meters

^^ Where im Achrafiyeh? and what do they look like?

The design in my opinion is horrific, they are covered in yellowish paint, and no glass. They are on the road from when you want to leave the ABC, and go to Sodeco.

Another Project next to the French Embassy named Rudahams, a nicer design but still no glass looks around ~ 27 floors bu t is a huge building.

Ill try to take pics as soon as possible.

In front of the Platinum Tower is this giant add

http://i28.tinypic.com/vmrnsl.jpg

http://i30.tinypic.com/5l19v8.jpg

three projects:
In Amchit, Adma and Mtyaleb... You can check them out here...

http://www.coldwellbanker-lb.com/inner.aspx?ID=42

Two more sites, with manyyyy projects and I dont have time right now to go through them. But anyone who can start adding them!

http://www.dagpaiqari.com/searchresults.aspx?city=enter+city&textaddress1=all&ref=&areafrom=&areato=&pricefrom=&priceto=&listby=default&section=new&l=e

http://www.luxurylebanon.com/search.php

^^ Thanks. Just a reminder: we collectively decided that low-rise buildings (~5F) located outside of Beirut do not warrent their own individual thread (unless of course there is something very unique about teh project).

^^ didn't know.. thanks for the heads up

Here's a photo of a render of a big mall to be built in the north of Lebanon. I found it in a business magazine.
http://i56.tinypic.com/xm4gb6.jpg
I believe it's called 'La Cascada'
A closer look:
http://i52.tinypic.com/1zptamo.jpg

Do you know where in north of Lebanon will be built ? Tripoli ???

^^supposed to be in Al Qalamoun.

The project was announced in 2009, estimated construction cost 200 million! Brought by Inter Mall Group SAL (holding)/Chaadi Masaad Group

http://almashriq.hiof.no/lebanon/900/910/919/lebanon-places-map.jpg

Not Tripoli :(

hahahahahahaha 5alas abdalla u just gotta accept it... WE ARE SIMPLY BETTER !!!! :cool:
btw it looks like an airport terminal :shifty:

Agreed Martyr, it is pretty ugly.

I think it would have been cool to make Beirut Souk like projects in Tripoli and in Saida/Tyre and in Zahle. We can then have 4 giant modern "souk" like things spread out over the country... they can include attachments to each souk like a public library, small garden/park along with chains of stores, cafes/restaurants and an entertainment complex. Ahh I can only wish:(

hahahahahahaha 5alas abdalla u just gotta accept it... WE ARE SIMPLY BETTER !!!! :cool:
btw it looks like an airport terminal :shifty:

Im pretty sure you single handedly admitted than the north was better than the south in the Lebanese Nature Gallery :crazy:

the mall is going to be built in zahle guys.. i got the news from the official website..
the bad news is that i just can't find it anymore... :bleep:

http://mercurydevelopment.com.lb/
lots of great projects that we don't have on skyscraper city.. do we know about all those projects??
look at trillium it looks so nice..

^^ Nice find! Palacio already has a thread, I'll just need to update the title.

The others will need threads...feel free to start them.

mk..

http://mimaj.com/files/gimgs/3_formula-1.jpg

http://mimaj.com/files/gimgs/3_beirut-02.jpg

Really beautiful, but I hope we have a few Iconic buildings in the reclaimed land, something that if you see it, you will immediately think Beirut, Lebanon.

Isnt that top picture the proposed/defunct F1 track ?

^^ Yes. This rendering in no way represents actual planned projects for this area.

anyone know of this project??
http://www.lecommercedulevant.com/affaires/immobilier/nouveaux-projets-liban/trabaud-1804/18219
http://www.lecommercedulevant.com/sites/default/files/Trabaud-1804.jpg

And this one
http://www.lecommercedulevant.com/affaires/immobilier/interview-liban/fadi-rayes-%C2%AB-nous-prive-de-notre-mati%C3%A8re-premi%C3%A8re-%C2%BB/18220
http://www.lecommercedulevant.com/sites/default/files/CTower.jpg

And th8is?
http://www.lecommercedulevant.com/affaires/immobilier/nouveaux-projets-liban/saint-george-residences/17133
http://www.lecommercedulevant.com/sites/default/files/mokbel_2-i(2).jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/249314_170816239646203_132711786789982_437613_457313_n.jpg
will be announced the 10th of july.. seems pretty big if they are announcing about the project from now.. hopefully a beautiful high-rise or even a skyscraper.. pretty sure it should be a building though cz its mercury development, and they are the ones behind trillium.

^^

V Verdun = Verdun 5 ? just a thought...

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=361730

mmm, not so sure might be.. we have to wait till july 10th though.. hopefully it will be close from the hotel that is being built next to the bristol.. that area would look so nice with verdun 5 in it, in case v verdun was verdun 5..
thing is they have absolutely no info out about the project and the fact that they are the ones that are providing us with TRILLIUM BEIRUT provides me no fear that this project might be a pretty good boom.. all i know is there is a project called v verdun and more will be announced soon.. so i though i should let the lebanese skyscrapercitizens know. :) :P :P

hopefully it will be close from the hotel that is being built next to the bristol..

If ur referring to the future StayBridge Hotel, then it won't be anywhere near it... that is if V does actually turn out to be Verdun 5 !!

i was refering to it.. but sad it wont be there.. it would become like the most top notch commerical place in verdun.. probably beat the dunes center..

they are gossiping about a project for the reclaimed land in dbaye.. check the website..
Looks nice.. :)
http://www.waterfrontcity.com/

mmm, not so sure might be.. we have to wait till july 10th though.. hopefully it will be close from the hotel that is being built next to the bristol.. that area would look so nice with verdun 5 in it, in case v verdun was verdun 5..
thing is they have absolutely no info out about the project and the fact that they are the ones that are providing us with TRILLIUM BEIRUT provides me no fear that this project might be a pretty good boom.. all i know is there is a project called v verdun and more will be announced soon.. so i though i should let the lebanese skyscrapercitizens know. :) :P :P

There arent that many empty plots left in Verdun for a large-scale project....just a thought.

they are gossiping about a project for the reclaimed land in dbaye.. check the website..
Looks nice.. :)
http://www.waterfrontcity.com/


Finally! I hope this comes to fruition soon...

What Will Be Stirring Hamra Around Soon?

http://www.beirutnightlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/01a1.jpg

Hamra has become a haven for new restaurant, pubs and coffee shops… and recently the new DRM club… but still the real clubbing scene that we are witnessing on new areas in Lebanon as well as old has not tapped Hamra’s ambiance so far- But it seems that there’s this one guy, Ali Saleh, who has a plan to change all this… with a club within a hotel he is working on is expected, in his words, to stir Hamra around.

A while back, a hotel, in the heart of Hamra stood tall. It was one of the only two hotels in Hamra in the past… that housed most Arab celebrities over the years. One of which was Bristol Hotel. This hotel has been a family owned hotel since 1986. It was originally owned by an Austrian group and that’s where its name came from, Wienner Haus Hotel since it was based on a theme from Vienna.

Wienner Haus Hotel houses a night club the Wienner Keller (also Austrian name) saw the birth of many Arab singers among Mohammed Abdo, Sobhi Tawfik and various others.

Due to financial problems the hotel was forced to unfortunately shutdown in 2004.

In 2010, Ali Saleh, a fresh AUB graduate with a CV in marketing, Public Relations and Entertainment Management; decided to venture into renovating this hotel and re-opening its doors to a new modern design and bringing in some new fresh ideas to Hamra. Ali started renovation almost 15 months ago and in just two more the grand opening is expected to take place.

Ali is planning big.

“Just like I plan to bring back the true hospitality of the WH hotel I also plan to bring back its nightlife. We all noticed the Pub revolution that Hamra is going through, my plan is to add to this wave a new concept of nightlife in my hotel. I would not like to reveal much of my ideas in design but I promise to present something that will cause a stir in Hamra and all of Lebanon.”

Ali explains that he is collaborating with a young and talented architect/designer and a good friend of his, Tarek Berri, who was among the group responsible behind designing Sky Bar among other projects.

Hamra may just house be the next best thing!

Project at a Glance

Name of the Hotel = Wiener Haus Hotel
Location = Hamra – Beirut
Type of Hotel = Business and Tourism Hotel
Number of Floors = 10 above ground and 1 underground
Number of Restaurants = Two
Number of Guest Rooms = 62
Building Area = 3560 meters
Land Area = 400 meters


Floors Division

Floor Number Description Area
Underground Floor Nightclub, Kitchen, Electricity Room 350 m2
Ground Floor Lobby, Restaurant, Administration 350 m2
1st Floor 6 Standard Rooms +2 Executive Suites + Office 350 m2
2nd Floor 6 Standard Rooms + 2 Executive Suites + Office 350 m2
3rd till 7th floor 6 Standard Rooms + 2 Executive Suites 300 m2
8th floor 6 Suites Duplex 300 m2
9th Floor 6 Suites Duplex 300m2