A High-Class Real Estate Development in the Heart of Beirut
Widely acclaimed Swiss planners "Herzog & de Meuron", finally completed the 119-meter tall architectural building and residential skyscraper in the heart of Beirut, Lebanon: BEIRUT TERRACES. This modern architectural project lay over a site that is the lodging of multiple layers of history and civilizations passed under beneath which comes and replaces each one by another. It witnesses many cultures that passed over the country.
So, and from what precedes we assume that the location of the new building in question is very important and valuable in terms of real estate.
➤ Read more: New Architectural Projects That Changed Beirut Skyline for Ever! for more information about Housing in Beirut.
The "Benchmark for Development" (the real estate developer that’s in charge of the lot’s construction) is so passionate and can't wait to announce to the public the launching of BEIRUT TERRACES, an of its kind private housing project, located in the heart of the BCD (Beirut Central District) at the most high-end of the line residency location: "Mina El Hosn".
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| The Beirut Terraces Project completed |
The importance of the site location is more than can be described in words; Even more, it became the most luxurious and sophisticated district of the capital ever. (See Figure below)
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| The Location is surrounded by International Resorts which makes Beirut Terraces an Eye-Candy for many, Image: Edited. |
One of the First Architectural Buildings in Lebanon to Introduce the "Vertical Village" for Housing
It is transforming the entire city's future by renewing the indoor-outside living experience through the presentation of this Concept, the vertical village, by hanging green gardens and extended perforated slabs and balconies. Thus, this new architectural building introduces the vertical village concept for the first time in the whole middle east region.
Therefore, many of these properties were owned by other than Lebanese, notably the Arabs nationalities, which is considered a good symptom of good economical health. Of course, it should be managed properly within affordable ranges otherwise, it will risk the demographic balance of the country.
Besides, it will have a positive impact on the economic and financial status in general of the whole country already harmed. On the other hand, it boosts the international trust factor in Lebanon and brings abroad investment opportunities in his favor, thus revitalizing the economy in all major sectors.
The Importance of a Project lies in its Location
Back to the project itself, which is residing over layers of history underneath, Beirut Terraces is set to turn into a milestone architectural building within a worldwide location.Surrounded by the most sophisticated International Hotels in Beirut...
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| The Location is perfectly chosen within the highest reputation and international Hotels in Lebanon |
Starting with the "Intercontinental" (Phoenicia) on the southern side, the "Four Seasons" and the "Platinum Tower" on the northern side, and not far away from the area still resides the Holiday-Inn — The symbol of the Lebanese prosperity that reign in the 60s -70s of the last decade. The building was completely devasted during the civil war, but still overwhelmed the entire view that extends into the Mediterranean sea.
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| "Battle of the Hotels"- the most tragic and horrific scene during the Lebanese civil war, Photo: www.cloudfront.net |
But before continuing, let us slow down a bit, and concentrate hereby on the concept that leads to the construction of these new and first-of-its-kind architectural styles that were introduced to the city.
The project was designed in mind, that the renovation of the whole area was devasted before by a long period of war (1975-1992) which makes the need for a new major rehabilitation of the city a priority.
The project was designed in mind, that the renovation of the whole area was devasted before by a long period of war (1975-1992) which makes the need for a new major rehabilitation of the city a priority.
➤ Read more: As a reference to what was said, please read the article Why Should You Value the Downtown Beirut Restoration Project? in my Blog for more topics about the History of Beirut.
The Concept Adopted in the Design
Back to our discussion, "Herzog & de Meuron" designed a building that has a strong architectural language that can deal with its historical context. So the designer makes the historical surroundings a major regulation, if we can say, and started his conception from this point and forward.In my opinion, the extreme expression of the multiple floors represented as layers stacked on
top of each other the way it is has some hidden facts or makes sense. But if you look further, perhaps you could solve the message behind it. Or if not I may help; The designers wanted in an intensive way to refer us to the various layers of civilizations underneath the building. Actually, that is what the architect said about it:
''The structure and presence of the proposed constructing were studied with mindfulness and regard for the city's past, just as the fearlessness and good faith of contemporary Beirut,'' said Herzog and de Meuron.
Also, the need of creating a new resuscitating indoor-open air living experience through the vertical town theory presentation with hanging gardens and expanded punctured sections to compensate for the lack of finding green areas and fresh air sources in Beirut.
5 Architectural Building Facts
The compositional language and the variation on every level of the floor allow every inhabitant to benefit from multi-views over the Mediterranean through floor-to-roof glass shields and to appreciate extraordinary minutes with loved ones on their private porches.
The firm's design approaches depended on five standards or factors, and in my opinion, they lead to the project concept being created:
Layers and Terraces, Inside and Outside, Vegetation, Views and Privacy, Light and Identity.
1- The Inside and The Outside:
A fundamental part of Beirut's history is where the indoors are stretched out to the Terraces.
2- Layers and Terraces:
The vertical village concept considered multi-layers and concentrated on partitions.
3- Vegetation and Architecture:
The combination of workmanship with natural landscaping views brings to light a friendly building to Mother Nature.
4- Perspectives and Privacy:
The variation of floor plates permits every condo to benefit from amazing perspectives of the sea, the mountains, and Beirut City.
5- Light and Identity:
The daylighting effect is reinforced with nighttime through an integrated “state of the art” central lighting.
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| An explicative diagram that shows the Concept, Photo Credit to www.arch2o.com |
''Each unit is unique and variations in the layout of the apartments on each layer thoughtfully shape a new neighborhood,'' said Herzog & de Meuron. ''The moderate climate of Beirut is undoubtedly one of the city’s greatest assets; it makes outdoor living an integral part of Beirut’s urban culture.''
One of its kinds of differentiation in Beirut Terraces
1- Architectural Design by Herzog and de Meuron.2- Timeless Design with Innovative Interiors.
3- Dynamic Urban Structure with Views Beyond Wordsworth.
4- Life at its Finest in a Vertical Village.
5- 131 shocking condos each with a one-of-a-kind worth roosted on the Beirut waterfront.
6- Most elite Residences in Lebanon with 3.4m clear statures and floor-to-roof glass windows.
7- Environmentally Friendly and Energy Saving.
8- Suburban Living amid the City.
9- Private Outdoor Spaces with Open Air Sparkling views of the Marina, Coastline, and Mountains.
10- Lush Suspended Gardens Inspired by Layers of History.
11- Private campaigns for every Residence.
12- Large Terraces coordinated with the banquet rooms to resuscitate the indoor and outside living experience offering a definitive extravagance.
13- A variety of sublime comforts and attendant services adjusted to excellent plans and determinations.
14- Ample parking for both Residents and Visitors.
Available Condo Sizes
Beirut Terraces offers 3 Condo sorts in different sizes:1-Simplexes change from 2 Bedrooms to 4 Bedrooms – 290 to 940sqm.
2-Duplexes change from 680 to 940sqm.
3-Penthouses change from 910 to 1,120 sqm.
Venture Components and Amenities
1- 25 Residential Floors.2- Dedicated Ground Floor Entrance Upper Level/Secured Drop-Off Area for Residents.
3- Street Level Retail completely disengaged from Residences.
4- Outdoor Swimming Pool.
5- Infinite Water Feature at Ground Level.
6- Private Gym for occupants.
7- Private capacity porch on the main floor for selective use for inhabitants.
8- Visitors' Parking.
9- Driver's Lounge.
10- Storage Rooms.
11- Drivers' Rooms.
12-Underground Floors for stopping, extra spaces, and driver quarters.
Exceptional Address
1- Mina El Hosn area, confronting Phoenicia Hotel, and disregarding the St. Georges Bay behind Monroe Hotel and Platinum Tower.2- Pedestrian Walkways to Beirut Marina and Waterfront Cafes.
3- Walking Distance from the Beirut Souks.
4- Hotel District and Green Parks.
5- Easy access to every single significant hub in the City.
6- Few minutes to Airport.
Undertaking Info | Project ID
Designers: Herzog and de MeuronArea: Beirut, Lebanon
Undertaking year: 2014
Address: Plot 1801 and Plot 1802, Block 18, Beirut Central District
Site Area: 4'422sqm/47598sqft
Building Dimensions: Base 65,90m x 66,20m/216 x 216ft
Tower: 53,70m x 53,70m/177 x 177ft
Tallness: 119,62m/392ft
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Floor Plans Samples
Figures 1 and 2 below, show 2 typical floors of the residential and architectural building (the 10th and the 11th typical floors) with the grid columns added in red color just to clarify the architectural concept;
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| Fig. 1- Sample Drawing showing the 10th Floor with Columns Grid added for comparison |
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| Fig. 2- The 11th Floor with Columns Grid added |
As you can see, we noticed that the columns are the same and were fixed on all the levels and the designer just make the variation within the balconies and terraces, which gives that feeling of the difference between the stories.
Well done and nicely played Mr. Architect! I appreciate it very much!