Set within Beirut’s historic Gemmayzeh neighborhood—just steps from the 2020 port explosion site—Beihouse is a restoration and transformation of three 19th-century Lebanese homes and their central courtyard into a members’ club. Designed by Dagher Hanna & Partners, the project is an architectural response to loss, resilience and continuity; where the past is not merely preserved but reactivated for new uses and publics.
The buildings -once at risk of collapse- have been structurally reinforced and sensitively expanded. Two received additional upper levels; the third was extended with a double-height volume. A new steel terrace floats across the old and new, creating continuity between eras. Steel bridges and corten staircases link all three structures, allowing the complex to operate as one unified whole. Every intervention is legible—old and new are allowed to coexist without mimicry.
The architectural language is grounded in material contrast. Local sandstone and timber are paired with contemporary elements: corten steel for shading fins and cladding; high-performance glass for new façades. These materials evoke the industrial memory of the nearby port while anchoring the additions firmly in the present. Triple-glazed windows and operable façades improve acoustics, thermal performance, and comfort without compromising the historic fabric.
At its heart, the central courtyard was restored as the project’s connective tissue—a garden framed by historic walls, mature plantings, and a centuries-old olive tree. Programmatically, the buildings now host hospitality and cultural spaces: bar, restaurant, lounge, offices, and a ceramics studio. Circulation is carefully choreographed through stairs and elevators, including a transparent panoramic lift that reveals unexpected views of the site.
The project’s visionary owner played a crucial role in rescuing the ensemble from demolition. Motivated by a deep love for Beirut and a desire to protect its architectural heritage, they brought together Dagher Hanna & Partners for architecture and London-based Linda Boronkay Design Studio for interior design. The brief called for more than structural reinforcement—it was about reimagining what these spaces could mean for the city today. It was a promise to rebuild not just walls, but spirit. A haven was created—crafted with soul, and open to all who believe in beauty, resilience, and hope.
Beihouse is more than a restoration: it is a place reborn, where every corner tells a story of survival and transformation. It stands not as a relic, but as a living memory—an architectural layering that honors what was while paving the way for what’s to come.
