Since it is obvious that construction will begin and road construction will start soon, I thought creating this thread for the second phase of Solidere's development is the right time.

We can clearly see the urban planning of phase II has started in this picture
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu287/Nadini234/DSCN0293.jpg

Its a shame they will be removing BEIL from the reclaimed area.

So what's the 2nd phase??

that recliamed area is the second phase.

I wonder if Sky Bar would stay there or relocate somewhere else!

well if its located at beil... then yeah it would have to move.

goshhhhhhhh we need more trees more green color!!!!!!!!!!!!! and more red roofs :(

So no new projects that we dont know about will be launched in the second phase?

^^ is there second phase projects that we know about ????????

Most of the land plots have been sold. No projects announced..however I would assume that they will not keep it a desert and will have a fixed amount of time to start work..that time starts with the completion of the infrastruction and the handing over of plots....We may get more info on the next annual report..i think any day now since the annual shareholder meeting is today.

is the royal pavilion also gonna be removed??

Taken on July 11.
Looks like they are building something near the marina!

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/2686/img1433c.jpg

^^ Isn't this the Town Quay project?
We can't really tell which angle this is..

I think it is the "yacht club" portion..and it looks like they are above ground

Rabih is right, those two cranes belongs to the town quay

Here's an aerial picture that shows the the foundation is done!
courtesy of bloggingbeirut
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu287/Nadini234/IMG_00201242499630dup.jpg

According to the new annual report this area will see towers of 140-220 meters. Thats about 60/65 stories. Thats much higher than Phoenican Village and dble the height of Platinum

From the Solidere Annual Report 08

http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/2972/37830219.jpg (http://img149.imageshack.us/i/37830219.jpg/)

the Town Quay

http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/6483/59821299.jpg (http://img149.imageshack.us/i/59821299.jpg/)

we can see more cranes if you look closely in this picture
courtesy of timonysuede
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu287/Nadini234/tu.jpg

This land would have been perfect for a supertall and some skyscrapers around it:)

This land would have been perfect for a supertall and some skyscrapers around it:)

Uhhhh....this as it is, is horrific! We don't need anymore skyscrapers PERIOD!

Uhhhh....this as it is, is horrific! We don't need anymore skyscrapers PERIOD!

Anymore? we don't have any sky scrappers.

But, would save alot of room. Instead of all these 10-20 fl apartments why not get some 50fl's near the waterfront that alread has some tall buildings? Lebanon's hotels were like all booked out this year, the demand for hotels is very high, this area is perfect for them. Just wait for next year, traffic will be crazy and every hotel will be booked out.

Anymore? we don't have any sky scrappers.

But, would save alot of room. Instead of all these 10-20 fl apartments why not get some 50fl's near the waterfront that alread has some tall buildings? Lebanon's hotels were like all booked out this year, the demand for hotels is very high, this area is perfect for them. Just wait for next year, traffic will be crazy and every hotel will be booked out.

The new land will have 60 story towers..they sold \all land and supposed to deliver them by 2011...We will start hearing about projects very very soon...I just want to see more office and commercial.

Me too! We NEED to see commercial zoning in the BCD, other than boutiques and shops. We need office buildings to form a certain cluster so big businesses move to Beirut. We need big accounting firms, lawyer firms, finance and banking industry, technology sector companies, etc. to relocate their regional offices to this new downtown. Then we will see activity all year round at any time of the day or night...

Does anyone know what the zoning involves in this new area??? (zoning purposes of area)

To me having 50 or 60+ stories towers and more green space,is better than having 3 or 4 20 stories towers with no green space,this is what Beirut needs.

To me having 50 or 60+ stories towers and more green space,is better than having 3 or 4 20 stories towers with no green space,this is what Beirut needs.

Agreed.

The new land will have 60 story towers..they sold \all land and supposed to deliver them by 2011...We will start hearing about projects very very soon...I just want to see more office and commercial.

Me to, i didn't just mean for higher apartments. More offices and commercial building would be great for Beirut, would create more jobs for people and get more people investing into the country which is great for the economy.

Me too! We NEED to see commercial zoning in the BCD, other than boutiques and shops. We need office buildings to form a certain cluster so big businesses move to Beirut. We need big accounting firms, lawyer firms, finance and banking industry, technology sector companies, etc. to relocate their regional offices to this new downtown. Then we will see activity all year round at any time of the day or night...

Does anyone know what the zoning involves in this new area??? (zoning purposes of area)

I Agree also with this. I really hope more buildings are built in one area. I dont want to see offices spread across Beirut, they should be in one area. If they do spread out to much, it will look like a mess with skyscrapers everywhere and would damage the image Beirut has. Also traffic would be a mess all across Beirut.

courtesy of stella
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu287/Nadini234/stella-1.jpg

courtesy of me:

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/8598/waterfronte.jpg

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/16/waterfront3.jpg

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/8650/waterfront2.jpg

Looks like the yacht club is above ground you should move that to the thread!:)

A different render of the masterplan, we can see the park's walking area
courtesy of lebtrek
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu287/Nadini234/3904103457_578695e14d_b.jpg

^^ This is the original masterplan. Everytime I visit the Solidere office I notice it. I don't know why they haven't changed it yet. You can see the East Marina layout is completely different.

^^ This is the original masterplan. Everytime I visit the Solidere office I notice it. I don't know why they haven't changed it yet. You can see the East Marina layout is completely different.

Your right wonder why they havent updated it.

wonder when the yacht club and restaurant and everything around st.georges is gona be finshed coz this look bad right now

wonder when the yacht club and restaurant and everything around st.georges is gona be finshed coz this look bad right now

That mole is horrendous. Originally it was to be much thinnner and less conspicuous, then it was supposed to be landscaped. Now it's just an immense concrete backdrop to a parking lot.

I am looking forward to see how the water edge around the marina turns out - both the apartmen/club building and the corniche edge with shops at water level - but that ugly design for the mole will always loom until something is done about it.

Meanwhile, does anyone know anything about the St. Georges?

Here is the pic that wwas tried being posted.

http://p5zyyw.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pP5-yFHuwQ-h_B4dc2Agp9c_UYtfSOk8rgh4s-HWgrBXZyuk9JcFoO7GhEK0v0lsmwStnofBQLE3DjWb0GrOlVw/img006mib.jpg

Is that the plan they have? It looks really nice!

^^ we had this picture somewhere, it was the initial masterplan (along with the other solidere render with the two tall towers). The render is not yet confirmed but it does give us an idea

courtesy of Zahid Marfkhan
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu287/Nadini234/zzz.jpg

http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu287/Nadini234/DSC01280.jpg

http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu287/Nadini234/DSC01279.jpg

http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu287/Nadini234/DSC01278.jpg

Didn't know we can get a view of the reclaimed land from this location :)

courtesy of upindetv

September 23

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3460/3952417695_70f7188de2_b.jpg

^^ Are they paving roads?

^^well,they are certainly doing something there.

^^ Are they paving roads?

That's the BIEL parking

courtesy of me, 6/10/2009

http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww207/MARTYR_92/5856.jpg

http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww207/MARTYR_92/NewImage-1.jpg

http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww207/MARTYR_92/jjfgj.jpg

http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww207/MARTYR_92/jujt.jpg

^^ terrible quality....i know :ohno:
bas inu better than nothing

The quality is soo bad, you should be banned for taking such bad pics.

tayeb shu ba3mil ????
i have the louziest phone camera
i couldn;t stand there without taking pics

hehe I am kidding, imagine being banned for taking bad pics. "your quality standards do not match, you've been banned"

better than nothing martyr, keep them coming man..

10x bro !!! :)


courtesy of me, 6/10/2009

http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww207/MARTYR_92/NewImage-1.jpg



u could actually see my shadow on the ground in this pic

hehe I am kidding, imagine being banned for taking bad pics. "your quality standards do not match, you've been banned"

lolll best excuess actully... Im trying to find a exucsss to fire someone atm...


Not much progess yet on the waterfront.

oh you are looking for general excuses to fire someone ? haha random
I dunno... there are always general things said like ... you are not a team player, your standards don't meet ours, we are letting a few people go, we are restructuring the company. lol

Courtesy of Solidere
http://i35.tinypic.com/24y03ko.jpg

The plot of land where the park is supposed to be is now covered with agricultural dark red soil ... u can actually see now the exact area where the park will be...looks bigger in real life !!!

So i think we'll see them installing the pathways of the park and the trees very soon !! :)

where is the thread with the reclaimed land, there was another one i searched everywhere for it :P.... are the projects announced yet for the reclaimed land or do we have to wait until the government gets the trust of the parliament ??

^^You must be talking about this one (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=397777)?

umm no, man am going crazy, there is a thread on which i asked are there any projects announced yet, and hassoun answered me saying that we need to wait the formation of the government, that was before the government was formed ... but i can't find it anywhere :D

The plot of land where the park is supposed to be is now covered with agricultural dark red soil ... u can actually see now the exact area where the park will be...looks bigger in real life !!!

So i think we'll see them installing the pathways of the park and the trees very soon !! :)

Dont you think they would construct the buildings before the park?

umm no, man am going crazy, there is a thread on which i asked are there any projects announced yet, and hassoun answered me saying that we need to wait the formation of the government, that was before the government was formed ... but i can't find it anywhere :D

I think you are confused because those posts were deleted by yours truly. They were potentially political.

If projects were announced, they would be posted here first and then given independent threads once sufficient information is available.

Is there a time to expect to start seeing some threads for new towers going to go up on the Phase II land?

^^ The land isnt even ready to be built on yet. First, they need roads...

Dont you think they would construct the buildings before the park?

No, because it is much easier and faster to plant some grass and trees. Why wait 10 more years for the buildings to go up? Besides, it makes the empty plots much more attractive to developers.

^^ The land isnt even ready to be built on yet.

Yes I can see that, I heard that the plots will be handed over to developers in 2011? So is that when we will see new projects? Or will it be before or after that? Will it be all a highrise district? Or will it be mixed like the current Waterfront?

^^

The dark blue plots will be the high-rises:

http://solidere.com/project/content/masterplan.html

but i think we have an idea of what the projects there are going to look like !!!

i remember that from the 07 annual report they said the eastern portion will be for hotels-furnished apartments-residential towers, and the western part will be for business towers and the area between them will be for meduim height buildings of mixed use, and there will be some sort of tramway moving people between the reclaimed land and the souks !!!

No, because it is much easier and faster to plant some grass and trees. Why wait 10 more years for the buildings to go up? Besides, it makes the empty plots much more attractive to developers.

I agree plus don't forget about the Marina project right in back. The view would be nicer having a park in. The roads are already outlined

guys the big unbuilt spot is fgoing to be the new investments area???
what about the park where is it going to get built ?

courtesy of posttraumaticurbanism
http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af121/Nadini2345/posttraumaticurbanism.jpg

courtesy of posh art
http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af121/Nadini2345/poshtart.jpg

courtesy of koutalakis
http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af121/Nadini2345/koutalakis.jpg

http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af121/Nadini2345/k-1.jpg

http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af121/Nadini2345/4234993328_b2d586e10b_b.jpg

^^ the last picture is just wow

Has work started in the new park yet?

courtesy of Sameer
http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af121/Nadini2345/14072009102.jpg

http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af121/Nadini2345/Sameer.jpg

^^ It looks like the Plots have already placed on the reclaimed land, and some of the plots have been "dug out" for foundation work of future projects

^^ It looks like the Plots have already placed on the reclaimed land, and some of the plots have been "dug out" for foundation work of future projects

Or rather that as they were filling in, they made allowance for the roads and filled in to near their future level, leaving voids where buildings would be, like in the Dbaiye landfill, which has very few projects finalized, yet is a honeycomb of raised roads and lowered plots.

Or rather that as they were filling in, they made allowance for the roads and filled in to near their future level, leaving voids where buildings would be, like in the Dbaiye landfill, which has very few projects finalized, yet is a honeycomb of raised roads and lowered plots.

there is one huge project in dbaye who'se been stopped 2 years ago it seems it was supposed to be a sport center! actually you can see benches. Anyone has any idea about it ??

Has work started in the new park yet?

yeah !!! i actually posted that somewhere on the previous page :)
and as u can see in some of the pics that were posted above the plot designated for the park is now covered with brown agricultural soil !!!

yeah !!! i actually posted that somewhere on the previous page :)
and as u can see in some of the pics that were posted above the plot designated for the park is now covered with brown agricultural soil !!!

This new photo confirms what you said, you can see some kind of brown soil on the future location of the park.

Courtesy of Me Blogging (Feb 24)

http://i47.tinypic.com/2cxwx3m.jpg

^^Sorry for being so clueless - but what "future" thingie ?

^^ The BCD park/garden.

^^ Nice - bigger than the horj park ?

^^ its going to be the biggest in Beirut

Bigger than the Horsh? I don't think so.

^^ ? SO ? the horsh is pretty big :O

Not bigger than horsh, but I don't think horsh is considered a park anyway. I'd say it's more of a green space.

The only "real" park I can think of that Beirut has is the Sanayeh Gardens.

plus isnt 90% of the 7orsh closed off to the public?

I'm excited for the Beirut river project, that should revitalize that part of the area.

^^It was opened for the public for a brief time in the 1990's, however, being the outdoorsmen that we are, the people who started going there did all sorts of wierd stuff (barbecuing,polluting,drug abuse,some murders, and a lot of rapings) so, in result of our good sameritanship, the interior park section is now clossed off. With the exception of the rock sculptures and the football fields sections. But, if you could get your hands on a written pass issued from the municipality of Beirut, you are allowed to enter the park section with no problem what so ever. And to tell you the truth, it really is a shame that it is not opened to the public because it is just beautiful in there :(

That's exactly what happened with the Ghobeiry Garden too, you know, the one on the top of the old BHV. People started to do picnics there, bringing arguileh and stuff, so they closed it down.

8:50am MTV: The explosion of a grenade at Beirut’s old Normandy landfill led to the wounding of three workers.

9:43am The Syrian worker Mohammed Ahmed al-Wardi has died of his wounds sustained in the explosion of the grenade at Beirut’s old Normandy landfill.

^^ How is it possible that there are still unfound unexploded ordinance after all these years?

8:50am MTV: The explosion of a grenade at Beirut’s old Normandy landfill led to the wounding of three workers.

9:43am The Syrian worker Mohammed Ahmed al-Wardi has died of his wounds sustained in the explosion of the grenade at Beirut’s old Normandy landfill.

http://i45.tinypic.com/33fdbhj.jpg

Security forces investigate the Normandy landfill in downtown Beirut where an old Civil War bomb exploded on Saturday morning, killing one man. (NOW Lebanon)

RIP

^^ How is it possible that there are still unfound unexploded ordinance after all these years?

In Europe, they still find unexploded ordinances from WWII.

I think this is the last area to be worked on. It is where the 2nd marina will be built.

^^ What 2nd Marina ?!

the current marina is the West Marina...The 2nd marina is the "East Marina" , which i think will be somewhere near Beil !!!

In Europe, they still find unexploded ordinances from WWII.

I know, but my point was in this specific location, considering the years of work to ensure this landfill is ready to be built on. Wont this delay any construction plans?

the current marina is the West Marina...The 2nd marina is the "East Marina" , which i think will be somewhere near Beil !!!

Ohh, but isnt the port east to the BIEL ?

Ohh, but isnt the port east to the BIEL ?

The East Marina will be built near where BIEL is right now. Remember that BIEL is only a temporary structure and will be demolished in a few years.

http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/6130/bcd.png

OK then, any info on where the BIEl will relocate ? Where are we supposed to have our trademark yearly concers (Guetta, A&B...) I suggest utilizing the sports city stadium as an alternative since it has a huge ptential to host such concerts. Plus, the reveue will be benefited by our governemt :)

courtesy of heidi
http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz301/Nadini23456/heidi2.jpg

March 2010 - Courtesy of me

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/2333/img7382edited.jpg

http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/4718/img7383edited.jpg
By rabih_alt (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/rabih_alt), shot with Canon EOS 20D (http://profile.imageshack.us/camerabuy.php?model=Canon+EOS+20D&make=Canon) at 2010-03-22

Taken April 10

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2344/4514804189_12980d8fd4_o.jpg

^^ Hold on a sec. are these foundations of one of the buildings yet to be built on the reclaimed land?!!!!

^^ thats what I thought, but it looks more like the small parking lot west of Biel on the reclaimed land

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

why would a parking need walls?

That crane you see is indeed on the new reclaimed area. They enclosed the plot but haven't dug for the foundations.

^^ Is this the Mika Land project we heard about a while ago on the Reclaimed Land?

^^ thats what I thought, but it looks more like the small parking lot west of Biel on the reclaimed land

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

The rectangular area was paved for a huge concert stage last summer plus it was the gathering point for the Harley Davidson H.O.G. lebanon chapter.. it has nothing to do with construction project

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

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

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

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

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

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

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz301/Nadini23456/P1040600.jpg

So is it officially called Zaitunay Bay?
courtesy of mine
http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad345/Nadini1/man.jpg

http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad345/Nadini1/manav.jpg

http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad345/Nadini1/DSC04210.jpg

http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad345/Nadini1/mine921.jpg

http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad345/Nadini1/rre.jpg

What is zaitunay bay? I know the area is called el zaitouney... If you tell me they are changing its name I'm gonna flip out.

^^ it will be the new marina being built (Town Quay etc..)

??......... So now we have st george bay on one side.......... and zeitounay bay on the other?.......:cripes::uh::gaah::cry: WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?!?!

^^ no no, I think the Saint Georges Bay will remain as is, the Zaitunay Bay will be the name of the new name of the waterfront development on the reclaimed land

hmm... do you mean, the 2nd marina near the port?

^^ No, to be honest I dont know, but according to the last picture I posted, I feel like they are indicating the the reclaimed land as a whole is the Zaitunay Bay. I may be wrong.

Actually St George Bay ie the current marina, is where this is. This is referring to the Shops and restarant development ringing the street side (Town Quay). This is in conjunction with the yacht club...They named it this to reflect the historic neighborhood that is now a memory...they are even going to plant an olive tree in remeberence lol

Sorry... but that is fucked up. Pardon my language. But who is solidere hiring?!?! Who are these minds that are coming up with this romanticized bullshit. This is worse than our homegrown soap operas.

The Bay is called st George's bay because of myth and natural narrative that has accumulated over time. If Solidere actually respected history they wouldn't try to rename it, or annex it from its identity. They should not try to merge the existing history of Beirut with Solidere's fabricated environment and scripted national vision.

That Bay is st George's bay, the area beside it is the Zeitouneh... The only alien part is the reclaimed land and attaching a term that already carries historical connotations to this area will not legitimize it as natural. Not that it has to be.... but it is disgusting to see our national history being slaughtered for the sake of capital, and then to add insult to injury they plant a tree commemorating what they have slaughtered.

All I am asking for is to keep the bay's name the same, everything south of the reclaimed land should be called the same. Then the reclaimed land needs to be a place to be re inscribed with new names and titles, that is relevant to our time. Not a reworking of our old history.

I dont think they are renaming the bay...I just think it is the name of the project...The word "Bay" probably makes it a bit confusing...It should be like Zaitunay Shoppes..Or the shoppes at Zaitunay

And what is up with the spelling?

i honestly think that we are over-reacting....
we dont know anything yet, we just presumed that they are renaming the area and we got angry before getting any solid info....
anyway, i know that the st. goerge bay is not just the tiny inlet where the marina is right now but the entire bay along beirut's northern coastline, so they cannot change the name like that !!! as for the "Zeituni" area, where is it exactly???? isn't it where the marina is right now???? so i'm not defenfing solidere or anything, but i see this as a revival of the area's old name, inu they're just putting it back where it belongs....
i dont know, its all so confusing :nuts: but until we get some clarifications from Solidere we should calm down and not go directly to hasty conspiracy conclusions !!!!

The bay is called the st george bay, not the area, the area is ain el mraisseh, east of the the st george is the zeitouni area. (not including the reclaimed land)

I am over-reacting you are right, but this has become a tendency of mine when it comes to anything solidere related. While I appreaciate the effort they are making, part of me is bitter about their continuous activity to render beirut lifeless.

My reaction was to their concept of memorializing everything without any significance to the public. Enno the area still exists, it doesn't need to be killed. Bas tabe3 el manta2a that was el zeitouneh was erased by Solidere...so I just think its funny this idea of memorializing something they assisted in destroying, or changing. Its like they have run out of old ruins to unearth and are making new ruins or testaments of past history to add to their list.

Actually,Martyr is the right.
Saint George is The whole northern bay.

I am not understanding where Martyr and I are differing on coordinates? ... we are both saying the entire bay is called the st george. But the bay is a piece of shoreline.....an enclave(so the bay is the entirety of east to west of just the curved shoreline). However The area around it is not called st George.

If you are standing just behind Al Dana building, starting from the all saints church all the way to Berytus park, that is El Zeitouneh.

the area is called zaitune...this project is fantastic why do you attack all new things??? this is a public area and not a private project.

Today went biking in Solider's new Biking trail.One Word: Amazing!
The trails goes to inside the reclaimed land to the new conrnich... and it is just amazing

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4007/4674035819_10aa6c391a_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4674035177_c658d2aaa8_b.jpg

That does look breathtaking!!! I really can't wait till this area is populated! I also wonder how this bike trail will be further incorporated into the reclaimed land.

I really think that they should start developing a mass transit system that stems from the reclaimed land and into greater beirut. Ideally a mix of one or two light rail, systems, and a larger tram/ bus combo. I think this would be ideal. I think a few roads should be made for tram only accessability with accompanied bike trail.

Then the light rail can extend on the main routes and large avenues, and reach areas with wide avenues like the Ouzai road once that gets rehabilitated, and possibly incorporate a airport stop. Then the buses can serve the other routes.

I think this is the best solution. Making the reclaimed land the starting point, or the official transit center of Beirut will accelerate the integration of this area into the city. I am excited to see what they have planned.

Are they keeping the bike trail for summer? And where does it start?

It looks so bland and gray ! yawn.

I agree it's boring. they need to landscape the area with some greenery, and different pavement matrials, perhaps some natural stone!

They need art work, they need something to make it look nice and attractive.

Isn't there a park planned there?

there is but they could have easily integrated some landscaping in the corniche. I noticed alot of public areas in Lebanon are simply paved over and voila you have a public space!

i do agree with lebnani in some points solidere did commit a crime against our national heritage.it displaced the old mercantile community out of the historic center for good and is changing the character of beirut beyond recognition.
BUT i think that wouldve happened anyway. any greedy developper wdve done just the same but solidere is a culprit with aesthetic taste.. lets imagine a couple of scenarios

Elie I responded to your post in the appropriate thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=58213161#post58213161)

they need grass, trees, flowers,...

Well if this is a biking trail.. all I want is pavement right? The park is meant for greenery, the trail gives you a sea view and functionality being all pavement.

^^ yea but some flowers on the edges, a few trees on the corner.

You should come see the bike trails in Abu Dhabi, they are like a rain forest...

Some more effort could of been used on the trail.

I get what you mean.. trees though I think are out of the question. They for one have branches that will get in the way of your biking and their leaves will constantly "dirty" the ground. I think on the curb of the entire trail should have been hollowed out and planted with and array of colourful flowers that are short (thus not obstructing sea view.. because thats really the best part of this trail).

The wall in one of the pics is textured right? It looks interesting the design..
But I agree with Melkart what should have been done is variations in the ground work.. like maybe having the two outer strips of the trail one material, and the inner section another..just to give it some more flow.

Guys... this entire area is a work in progress. You are judging it too soon. I imagine this trail will be further modified as the area takes shape.

well they have to blow me away to impress me, so far its boring, crakes are allready starting to appear.

Guys can you give yourself a break!
The new cornish is only opened on sundays. There are even no proper roads still.. and your talking about art work and flowers?!

ahahah! ^^ thats wat I am talking about!

btw.. i read that its only open sunday 10-8pm. Is that because construction is still going on around it.. or will this be the only time the bike trail is open. Because that would be really dumb..

I think cuz of consturction, plus they would have to hire security gaurds to patrol the area. This is my understanding, that they have gaurds when it is open.

that was the quickest reply ever.. i don't know why i navigated from the page lol... i could have just pressed refresh

Ya its what I am thinking too.. thats too much man power to patrol that area everyday if it were to close 6 days in the week

Bitch, you know I live here!..... I just called you bitch.... Too soon?

I just hope that the bike trail will integrate into the city. I don't want it isolated the way it is now. But again we are judging too soon. I just love this new view.
I can imagine it all built up... the perfect setting for my movies! MWAHAHA.
It is a very nice view though. I just hope the water front is active.

HAHHAHA no lebnani.. the timing is just right. I've been waiting to slip the B-note your way hahahha

Ya integration will be key here, but my main thing will be traffic. Beirut by Bike organization is probably going to capitalize on this area which will increase its traffic this summer for sure... So that will be good!

PS. Because we are such good friends... I can be the star in your movie, right? Thanks:)

lol

You kidding me, whenever I need to fill the role of Man walking in background, Pimip#1 or ka3ek vendor #5 who do you think I'm calling?

[INSERT comment relating to waterfront to keep on topic]

http://www.beirutnightlife.com/wp-content/gallery/restaurants/Dinnerinthesky/Opening20100611/Dinner_in_the_sky_alf_events_opening28.jpg

http://www.beirutnightlife.com/wp-content/gallery/restaurants/Dinnerinthesky/Opening20100611/Dinner_in_the_sky_alf_events_opening35.jpg

^^ what are those red and white cranes for ???

^^ what are those red and white cranes for ???

Dinner in the sky?

^^ doesn't seem like that's dinner in the sky

First event for dinner in the sky, partly showing the reclaimed land:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abt-LuYkf6U&playnext_from=TL&videos=S5yNtq_IOt4&feature=sub

P.S: can anyone tell me how to embed videos?

^^For this video, you click share, and you take the last few letters after the = sign. So for this one it would be abt-LuYkf6U

Then you put those letters in between [youtube] abt-LuYkf6U [ /youtube] and it embeds (without spaces though)

From ILOUBNAN.INFO
Ouverture du Beirut Exhibition Center : un nouveau pôle d’art contemporain à Beyrouth
BEYROUTH, par Leslie Fauvel | iloubnan.info - Le 08 juillet 2010
Le 22 juin dernier a été inauguré le Beirut Exhibition Center, nouveau centre d’art contemporain de la capitale.
A Biel s’élève désormais un nouveau bâtiment : avec sa structure de verre et de métal et son sol en béton, le Beirut Exhibition Center a récemment ouvert ses portes, à l’initiative de Solidere. Sa superficie de 1200 m2 est destinée à accueillir des expositions d’art contemporain, afin de redonner à Beyrouth son statut de ville artistique. Venant s’ajouter au Beirut Art Center, ce nouvel espace confirme l’engouement des Libanais pour l’art contemporain et entend bien s’affirmer comme l’un des lieux incontournables du monde de l’art au Liban.

Tous les deux mois, le centre abritera les œuvres d’artistes contemporains originaux. Le premier à inaugurer les murs blancs du musée est l’artiste peintre Libanais Nabil Nahas. La rétrospective qui lui est consacrée anime l’espace de ses couleurs audacieuses et de ses formes particulières et retrace plus de trente ans de carrière.

Avec son architecture avant-gardiste, des lames d’aluminium longent le toit et reflètent le ciel, conçue par les architectes Makram Kadi et Ziad Jamil Edine du bureau d’architecture LEFT, et son jardin peuplé de sculptures modernistes, le Beirut Exhibition Center va sans aucun doute s’imposer comme le lieu phare de l’art contemporain au Liban.


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Rough translation, skipped some bla bla parts
Opening the Beirut Exhibition Center: a new hub for contemporary art in Beirut
The Beirut Exhibition Center, a new contemporary art center was inaugurated on June 22nd.
A new building now stands at BIEL , with its structure of glass and metal and concrete floor, the Beirut Exhibition Center recently opened at the initiative of Solidere. With an area of 1200 m2, it's designed to host exhibitions of contemporary art in order to restore Beirut's former standing as a city of art. Complementing the Beirut Art Center, the new space confirms the affinity of the Lebanese for contemporary art and aims to assert itself as a landmark in the art scene in Lebanon.
Every two months, the center will house works of contemporary artists. The first to inaugurate the white walls of the museum is the Lebanese painter Nabil Nahas, an artist with a career spanning for more than thirty years.
With it's avant-gardist architecture _conceived by architects Makram Kadi and Ziad Jamil Edine (from LEFT)_ the Beirut Exhibition Center will undoubtedly emerge as the flagship venue for contemporary art in Lebanon.

I always thought this area of the waterfront was reserved for high density projects, weren't they going to remove the Biel? Is this center temporary too? Anyway the city needs this.

^^ I was thinking the same.... If there going to remove BEIL in the next few years, what was the point of building it at this location....

Either its Temporary, or this structure is designed to be on a plot that will be facing the future marina and will be a part of that section.

courtesy of ahaboy
http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad345/Nadini1/ahaboy.jpg

courtesy of day life
http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad345/Nadini1/nbnb.jpg

'Hotel District':
http://www.solidere.com/hotels/hotels.html

Marina:
http://www.solidere.com/marina/marina.html

http://www.solidere.com/hotels/images/hi/18.jpg

http://www.solidere.com/hotels/images/hi/19.jpg

http://www.solidere.com/hotels/images/hi/20.jpg

http://www.solidere.com/hotels/images/hi/2.jpg

http://www.solidere.com/hotels/images/hi/4.jpg

http://www.solidere.com/hotels/images/hi/5.jpg

http://www.solidere.com/hotels/images/hi/11.jpg

Are these old? Where is the yacht club building? Not sure what that slab is and the construction going on in front of the 4 seasons, infrastructure? look like the park part

hmm... the building on the right is the Marina tower, and the left is the four seasons, so you can't see zeitouny bay, the far right marina is looking to st george.

Either you are confused by the pic, or I'm confused by your statement

http://www.solidere.com/hotels/images/hi/20.jpg

http://www.solidere.com/hotels/images/hi/11.jpg

Woah nelly! That's some awesome pictures you had there! :cheers:

hmm... the building on the right is the Marina tower, and the left is the four seasons, so you can't see zeitouny bay, the far right marina is looking to st george.

Either you are confused by the pic, or I'm confused by your statement

his statement is very confusing :nuts: !!!!
i think he was asking about the Town Quay.... but as u mentioned u cannot see it yet because the picture is old !!!

LOl sorry....I meant was that i do not see the yacht club building. So i was asking if its an old picture....Plus i was asking what is that digging in front of the Four Seasons?

what "yakht club building" ???? are u reffering to the 7 floor building of the town quay ????

and the digging infront of the 4 seasons is also for the Town Quay

^^ I think the picture was taken from on top of the Town Quay building (thats why it doesnt show). And he is right, there seems to be digging in front of the FS which is supposed to be the park plot.

^^ I think the picture was taken from on top of the Town Quay building (thats why it doesnt show). And he is right, there seems to be digging in front of the FS which is supposed to be the park plot.

Thank you :nuts:

Courtesy of Ramiz Naja

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2546/4126308300_02d2bff313_b.jpg

OMG That is a fantastic picture!

I second that!

Courtesy of me blogging

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2689/4395935249_cbe01427d0_o.jpg

^^ I think the picture was taken from on top of the Town Quay building (thats why it doesnt show). And he is right, there seems to be digging in front of the FS which is supposed to be the park plot.

I think it may be the under corniche car park

Courtesy of Mary Ann
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Iz4KptZglKY/TH34uzEpC9I/AAAAAAAABzQ/IWpTXQzxRuk/s800/Aug%2027-30%20029.JPG

I found this:
http://i967.photobucket.com/albums/ae152/lebz06/Screenshot2010-10-27at34739AM.png
http://www.beirutnightlife.com/lifestyle/around-town/solidere-marina-a-contemporary-image/

It's dated 2004, so i'm not really sure if it's still pertinent. Anyone have an idea what happened to this plan?

The date is tripping me up but these are old plans ..even the Solidere site would be updated if this was the plan..i think it still could be an option tho..Altho the defenses and shape would have been altered already i would think....if you look at an aerial it is "sand" as the marina shoould go there..or this?

So no updates what so ever? When should we start hearing about new projects starting to come up?

I see little grass and a planted tree...
courtesy of corentin
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j423/NadiniSC/IMG_0167.jpg

I see little grass and a planted tree...
courtesy of corentin
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j423/NadiniSC/IMG_0167.jpg

It's probably just natural growth

^^its mounded though (the tree). plus that is a big tree to be natural growth, we should have seen it in pics prior

February 4
Courtesy of jacobdugo, flickr

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/7236/5434871449eab05bc6d3b.jpg (http://img41.imageshack.us/i/5434871449eab05bc6d3b.jpg/)

courtesy of beirutboy
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j423/NadiniSC/beirut-waterfront-3.jpg

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j423/NadiniSC/beirutboy.jpg

^^ Is this road permanent or temporary?

fresh from solidere's site
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j423/NadiniSC/7.jpg

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j423/NadiniSC/5.jpg

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j423/NadiniSC/4.jpg

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j423/NadiniSC/2.jpg

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j423/NadiniSC/1.jpg

hey nadini, do you think we can submit the last photo for a banner.. it looks fantastic.. or at least crop the part of the second phase and place the pic for a banner..

yep i agree....the last one looks great!!! :D, so pure and highly defined!

If someone is willing to do it, than why not

^^

http://i1022.photobucket.com/albums/af347/dharma815/1-3.jpg

mmm, actually i liked the first one better.. I like that we can see the mountains with the snow behind it.. maybe we can just submit that? idk.. i like both.. but shouldn't we take this to the banner's thread?

fresh from solidere's site

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j423/NadiniSC/1.jpg

did they really gained so much land on the left :O

r u implying that they should have reclaimed more land ??

mmm, actually i liked the first one better.. I like that we can see the mountains with the snow behind it.. maybe we can just submit that? idk.. i like both.. but shouldn't we take this to the banner's thread?

Ya you right GAJ...i liked the previous one more, its too much cropped from the sides especially the wonderful scenery regarding the snowy mountains along with the amazing sky view!

^^^^^^
yup exactly, and i am about to post the original for banner submissions in its own thread.. maybe they will also see this one because it is not posted in that thread.

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss52/fadibad/DSC_0040.jpg

wow, they are opening the new roads.. :D :D YAYAYAYYAYAY. >.<

^^ is that a road in the last pic? and is that a tunnel?

it's definitely not part of Zaitounay bay.

^^ is that a road in the last pic? and is that a tunnel?

it's definitely not part of Zaitounay bay.

That must be the "under-Corniche parking" that they plan to have finished before inaugurating the Z-Bay project.

r u implying that they should have reclaimed more land ??

I'd go with that idea, one that John has so often espoused. I'd prefer transferring the building rights to the skyscrapers on Riad-el Solh and the Martyrs Square axis to additional landfill along the line of the mole, leaving the scale of the old center low and coherent...

I hope the fix/demolish that Holiday Inn asap

A little bit old, but worth posting.

The New Beirut’s Marina – Water Front District
by BOSSLB on APRIL 25, 2011

Beirut’s new marina, north east of the water front district, is partially open for public. A prominent open space for walking and biking, currently the work there has not been accomplished yet.

Said to have a public garden and parking in the coming months.

Attached Pictures are taken today.

http://beirut.blog.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/00/04/09/70/4097072/files/beirut-marina/dscn5483.jpg

http://beirut.blog.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/00/04/09/70/4097072/files/beirut-marina/dscn5484.jpg

http://beirut.blog.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/00/04/09/70/4097072/files/beirut-marina/dscn5488.jpg

http://beirut.blog.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/00/04/09/70/4097072/files/beirut-marina/dscn5494.jpg

http://beirut.blog.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/00/04/09/70/4097072/files/beirut-marina/dscn5495.jpg

http://beirut.blog.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/00/04/09/70/4097072/files/beirut-marina/dscn5496.jpg

http://beirut.blog.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/00/04/09/70/4097072/files/beirut-marina/dscn5497.jpg

http://beirut.blog.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/00/04/09/70/4097072/files/beirut-marina/dscn5501.jpg

http://beirut.blog.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/00/04/09/70/4097072/files/beirut-marina/dscn5505.jpg

http://beirut.blog.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/00/04/09/70/4097072/files/beirut-marina/dscn5509.jpg

http://beirut.blog.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/00/04/09/70/4097072/files/beirut-marina/dscn5513.jpg

Source: beirut.blog.com

Today

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6153/6162549418_a6c713f6e8_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/whatleydude/6162549418/)
The view from the office today :) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/whatleydude/6162549418/) by whatleydude (http://www.flickr.com/people/whatleydude/), on Flickr

Nov 2011 - by me

http://img802.imageshack.us/img802/7071/img4368edited.jpg

December 26

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7025/6589716787_76496ba651_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sebwhite/6589716787/)
Beirut waterfront (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sebwhite/6589716787/) by flyvancity (http://www.flickr.com/people/sebwhite/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7020/6589717553_e6a442fcb0_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sebwhite/6589717553/)
Beirut (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sebwhite/6589717553/) by flyvancity (http://www.flickr.com/people/sebwhite/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7001/6589718059_a6474ba0b7_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sebwhite/6589718059/)
Mediterranean from Beirut (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sebwhite/6589718059/) by flyvancity (http://www.flickr.com/people/sebwhite/), on Flickr

courtesy of cedarrick
http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo305/Nadini23/DSCN2098.jpg

http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo305/Nadini23/DSCN2348.jpg

http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo305/Nadini23/DSCN2349.jpg

http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo305/Nadini23/DSCN2350.jpg

http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo305/Nadini23/DSCN2352.jpg

courtesy of cedarick
http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo305/Nadini23/DSCN2358.jpg

http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo305/Nadini23/DSCN2359.jpg

http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo305/Nadini23/DSCN2363.jpg

http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo305/Nadini23/DSCN2368.jpg

http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo305/Nadini23/DSCN2373.jpg

http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo305/Nadini23/DSCN2375.jpg

http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo305/Nadini23/DSCN2377.jpg