"Zaitunay Bay" to provide an escape into the city's heydays

Beirut, June 9, 2011- On the occasion of the launch of Zaitunay Bay to the public by the owning company Beirut Waterfront Development s.a.l - a joint venture between Solidere and Stow - a media gathering was held at the Eau De Vie restaurant in Phoenicia to present the project. Located on the Beirut Marina and named after this once famous Zaitunay area - which is rightfully earning the reference of "carré d'or " of Beirut - Zaitunay Bay promises to be much more than just a promenade.

Currently hidden behind walled galleries of the glitz and glamour that once symbolized Beirut, Zaitunay Bay will soon host 17 carefully selected restaurants and 5 retail outlets in a vehicle free environment accessible through 7 pedestrian access points with adjacent underground public parking facilities.

"In many ways, Zaitunay Bay will have an impact that will ripple through the country", says Farouk Kamal, current chairman of BWD. "Through this ambitious project, Lebanon will have a new touristic destination, creating new jobs and bolstering the economy into one reminiscent of Beirut glorious past. The first skillets of the delicious restaurants that will be featured on Zaitunay Bay are due to start sizzling by September 2011."

Among other merits worth mentioning, Zaitunay Bay carries proudly the label "made by Lebanese". With the exception of the overall master plan signed by the renowned architect Steven Holl, BWD s.a.l is eager to promote the Lebanese expertise behind the making of Zaitunay Bay starting with the executive architect Nabil Gholam down to the supervision and maintenance, and all the way through to the restaurant and retail tenants who audaciously ventured into the creation of this destination.

The design is an expression of the best that Beirut has to offer, with beautifully landscaped public areas featuring reflective pools on the rooftop of outlets, as well as vast areas for long lasting promenades.

With numerous festivals and open air activities already being planned, Zaitunay Bay is set to become an obvious haven for all year round visitors, both younger and older generations, expecting to enjoy La Dolce Vita of Beirut anytime of the day.

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© Press Release 2011