Once the scene of a bitter civil war, Beirut is back on the map as a tourist destination, offering fine architecture, design, fashion and food.
The Lebanese love the slogan, ‘The phoenix always rises from the ashes’,” notes the founder of the annual Beirut Art Fair, Laure d’Hauteville. “They use it all the time.” Their capital city is a perfect and quite literal example. Torn apart and largely destroyed by the civil war, which lasted from 1975 to 1990, it is booming once again.
The Beirut skyline bristles with cranes as high rises continue to rise, offering the promise of “amazing panoramic sea-views” and “the ultimate lifestyle”. The number of projects designed by ‘starchitects’ is impressive. There is the yacht club by Steven Holl, the stylish Beirut Souks shopping mall by Rafael Moneo and Kevin Dash, and residential towers by both Norman Foster and Herzog & de Meuron. Another recent addition is the sleek seafront building in the suburb of Jal el Dib conceived by the London-based David Adjaye, which houses both a luxury shopping centre and a private exhibition space for contemporary art, the Aïshti Foundation. Among those who attended its inauguration in October 2015 were artists Maurizio Cattelan and Daniel Buren, and dealers Jay Jopling and Jeffrey Deitch. The edifice is the brainchild of one of Lebanon’s best-known entrepreneurs, Tony Salamé, whose personal collection of art is made up of more than 2000 works by the likes of Rudolf Stingel, Wade Guyton and Richard Prince. He is also busy overseeing the construction of a new department store in the downtown district, designed by Zaha Hadid before her untimely death.
Denne historien er fra June 2017-utgaven av Belle Magazine Australia.
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Denne historien er fra June 2017-utgaven av Belle Magazine Australia.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Double handling
Leading architectural hardware designer Bankston has collaborated with New York's Civilian on a new range of door handles and levers.
Coastal COOL
A Hamptons-inspired weekender on the Mornington Peninsula is remodelled for three generations of one family.
CLOUD STREET
A sophisticated design with exquisite detailing elevates a top-floor penthouse into a world-class home for a returning local family.
Future proof
Crafting a beach house that could eventually become a permanent residence meant walking a fine line between relaxed and sophisticated.
Going with the ith flow
Two melds enticingly into one when an inner-city terrace tones up for contemporary living.
CHEF'S kiss
Entertaining by a smart renovation for a family of foodies on a grand scale was made possible
MAISON D'ART
Step into the captivating world of French gallerist Amélie du Chalard, for whom life, art and history are in perfect harmony.
ERA DEFYING
An interwar bungalow moves boldly into the 21st century while also celebrating its fabulous past.
PALM CANDY
Pink tones cap off a romantic mix of Spanish and Moroccan styles at a designer's weekend retreat.
HOUSE ROYAL
A pair of scented leather gloves sent to King George III marks the birth of one of the world's most enduring fragrance houses.
