A picture taken in August 2020 shows scaffolding supporting the fractured ceiling of a traditional Lebanese house, in the aftermath of the monster explosion at the port of Beirut.
Photographer: Anwar Amro/AFP via Getty Images
The Resilience of Beirut’s Central Hall Homes
Created for a new middle class in the 19th century, homes combining European and Middle Eastern styles have survived war and redevelopment. Can they come back from the city’s 2020 port explosion?
(This article is part of Bloomberg CityLab’s series exploring the iconic home designs that shaped global cities. Read more from the series. Get the next story sent to your inbox by subscribing to the CityLab Daily newsletter.)
If you’re seeking evidence of Beirut’s role as a Mediterranean crossroads, you need only look at its older homes.