18 September 2010

BEIRUT: The second day of festivities for the official opening of Solidere’s Beirut Souks – which included bands, stilt walkers, aerial acrobats, heliospheres, Louis Fuller dancers, street animations and fireworks – drew people from across the capital and beyond.

Beirut Souks had a soft opening last October due to the fact that it was near completion. This week’s inauguration marks the official completion of the phase one development.

According Rami Ariss, real estate manager at Solidere, “We kept on fine tuning our project until we reached this completion that you see now. What you see now is a new look for a central shopping district. This is a district not a closed mall. We have done a good architectural project that I believe is a piece of art.”

Many people came to see the completion and view the entertainment, which was open to the public.

Clinical biologist Khalil Nemer, 40, came for a family outing not knowing about the inauguration events.

“We were surprised that there was entertainment. It is really nice and I think everyone should come and take a walk here,” said Nemer.

Senior associate Karim Karami, 26, a regular Souks visitor, heard about the opening and decided to check it out.

“Whenever I finish work, I come to check out new collections and shop here. I also come here during my lunch break or come hang out for dinner,” Karami said.

He added that he enjoys how Solidere incorporated the old architecture with the new, as well as modern and cultural entertainment that you probably would not see at any mall.

“It is young and hip, but at the same time, it is still Beirut,” said Karami.

Inauguration events have also included fashion shows and various performances.

Architect Anoud al-Zaben, 25, came for the Elie Saab show and for the opening of Souks.

“I really like the Souks because of the open spaces, plus the architecture still feels reminiscent of the old souks,” said Zaben.

Chrystele Karam, 25, an architect, said she has enjoyed the entertainment at the opening, but feels that though original architecture has been maintained, the new project does not have the heart and soul of the old souks.

“The entertainment is really mind blowing, but what is lacking here in the Souks is that it is just retail. It needs more cafes and galleries like the old souks. Now, it is just a place for people to shop or for foreigners to visit,” said Karam.

In response to Karam’s statement, Ariss told The Daily Star that Solidere wants the Beirut Souks to offer more than just shopping. They want people to come spend time at the Beirut Souks and hope that more cafes, cinemas and games will bring more people to this part of town.

Currently, there are approximately 150 shops and six or seven restaurants already open, but Beirut Souks still plans to expand with their phase two-development plan.  In 18 months there will be around 12 more restaurants, an entertainment center, and a cinema complex.

“We will have more and more cafes as we go.

“Most are big names coming from abroad and some are brands that are developed internally,” Ariss added.

“I hope Beirut Souks will bring back the pulse to Beirut’s Central District. It will be a component of the city. The best place in Beirut,” he said.

Saturday is the last day of the official inauguration and will feature many of the same events as Friday, as well as a light and sound laser show concert performed by the renowned Jean Michelh Jarre, with a grand finale fireworks show. The events will take place on Trablous Street from 8:30 pm to 11:30 pm.

Copyright The Daily Star 2010.