I just saw this post on Facebook about the possibility of demolishing Beirut City Center (also known as “the egg”) over the next few coming days.
“The egg” was designed by Philippe Karam in 1965 and served as a cinema for a short time before the eruption of civil war in Beirut. For some reason it survived the demolition works during Beirut’s central district reconstruction in the 90’s and remained standing until some artists started using it in the last few years to exhibit their work inside it. And now, rumors has it that it will demolished very soon.
I’m not sure I’ll be sad to see it going, though if it were to me I would have renovated it instead, but I’m certain it will feel awkward to pass by the martyr’s square and not see the egg laying there at the end of the street.
Thank you @SeenKaf
Update:
Solidere denied any plans to demolish the egg anytime soon. They even claimed they’re against the demolition and that the dome will be integrated in the new design.
Coming soon… A sky scraper that’ll block the view near you!
I hope that this Demolition(in case it will happen) will lead to a reconstruction of a similar design with modern architecture and perspective.
this is really crap.
i cant believe they would such a thing to some of the last pieces of heritage.
“oh, lets have a building.
where?
oh, there is a useless space in downtown, lets bring it down and build an extremely expensive building for offices and homes, and sell it for rocket high prices for being built in place of a full-of-memories place
yeah, sounds like a great idea!
we’ll buy the place where the statue is placed too, and the ancient ruins. these are useless, especially that no more protests are held there!
wow man, you are a genius! you have amazing sense for helping your country develop”
overcoming the history of civil war is a good thing, from a foreigner prospective. sometimes I have the feeling the locals still have the mentality and thoughts of that time.
To me and correct me If I’m mistaken, its a history full with pain and suffer with no result and conclusion. I would prefer avoiding any landmark that bring such momeries back. but at the same time to be honest I’m against destroying beautiful landmark, maybe re-construing is the best solution.
they should keep it like it is for the next 20 years.. actually, this is exactly what will happen.
i believe they should keep it,it is a reminder of the meaningless war. maybe it will make us think twice before engaging in a war again!
@Georges … knowing solidere, i can guarantee that won’t happen
According to “Save Beirut Heritage” the land has been sold to a Gulf company and Solidere has always been in denial… nothing new!
Like you, I really hope that they renovate the egg and begin using it again as a cinema..merging the old with the new.. Solidere could develop it as part of a greater CSR campaign.
I have been told by someone who works in Real Estate in Lebanon that the land, including the cinema building has been bought by a Qatary business man who was planning on demolishing it to build some tower but demolition plans where halted when the son of the man died recently.
I hope this is all not true, there is so much you can do with a structure like that.